A Streamlined Skincare Guide That’s Perfect For Busy Gamers

Dedicated gamers are short on time. So, it’s no surprise that many of them struggle to find spare hours in the day to devote to a skincare routine. But there are numerous reasons why gamers should stay on top of their skin health. It’s been shown that a lack of consistent sleep ^[1] and spending too much time in front of the screen^[2] can take a serious toll on your skin. Skincare doesn’t have to take too much effort. Check out this simple, streamlined routine that at maximum, takes around 10 minutes out of your day.

Gamer Skincare: What Gaming Does To Your Appearance

While playing video games is enjoyable, and for many, it’s a fulfilling career, there should be an honest discussion regarding how playing can impact various aspects to your health. By knowing the physical impact, you can come up with the proper mitigation strategies. One study found that 67% of gamers have trouble sleeping. ^[3] It’s been shown that interacting with a screen prior to bed can disrupt your body’s sleep cycle. ^[4] The physical effects of poor sleep are pretty noticeable from the onset. After one night of bad sleep, you can have swollen eyes, paler skin, darker under-eye circles, droopy corners of the mouth, and an increased amount of wrinkles.^[5]

What’s the root of all these issues? There are multiple ways gaming can damage your skin. The screen’s blue light can cause dark spots on the skin and premature aging. ^[6]In addition to the light emitting from the screen, gaming controllers and computer mouses can have a lot of grease, germs, and bacteria. When you touch your face when playing, this could trigger acne outbreaks or other types of skin irritations. ^[7] This is why it’s so important to be careful and diligent.

What You Should Do In The Morning

1. Apply A Cleanser

Make sure to use a gentle cleanser that won’t be too harsh on the skin. After you’re done cleansing, pat your face down with a towel. Change this face towel once every 1-2 days.

• Apply A Serum

Use a Vitamin C serum to help protect your skin from free radicals that can cause aging.^[8]

• Moisturize Skin

Moisturizers vary by thickness, so find one that feels right for your skin. If your skin still feels tight after applying, you may want a thicker moisturizer. If your skin feels excessively oily after, you can opt for a lighter one.

• Apply Eye Cream

Eye cream is optional, but may help decrease the appearance of dark circles. Apply it lightly using your ring fingers and avoid tugging the skin.

• Use Sunscreen

Sunscreen is still crucial even though you’re playing indoors. ^[9] To get the most protection from skin cancer, use a sunscreen that’s at least SPF 30.^[10]

What You Should Do At Night

A nightly routine can help cleanse your skin of all the dirt, oils, and sunscreen before you go to bed.

1. Take off makeup

If you use makeup, it’s important to take it off before bed.  It’s recommended that you use micellar water, cleansing balm, or cleansing oil as they are the most gentle. 

2. Use a cleanser
3. Apply retinoids and exfoliants

In addition to all these great products, retinoids such as tretinoin cream is great for treating and preventing acne. You can get an anti-aging kit that can help you look great and stay on top of your skin health.

4. Serum
5. Moisturizer
6. Eye cream

Easy Ways To Boost Your Skincare

• Sanitize: On a regular basis, clean your gaming station, mouse, keyboard, and controllers. After you touch food, wash your hands.
• Eat Healthy: Boost your skincare by not eating food that can trigger acne such as sugary beverages, dairy products, and fast food.^[11]
• Do Regular Exercise: Exercising on a regular basis can help boost blood flow which subsequently keeps your skin nourished. ^[12]
• Take Regular Breaks: To avoid eye strain and dark circles, take regular breaks from staring at the screen. ^[13]

Skincare is a crucial part to your health. Though it impacts your appearance and self-esteem, it’s also tied to numerous bodily functions. ^[14]  But you shouldn’t have to choose between your skin health and your passion for gaming. With the right tips, products, and routines, you can make sure gaming doesn’t take a toll on your skin. Just remember to take it day by day and find a routine that’s right for you.

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Article Sources:

^[1] https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article/36/9/1355/2453883

• ^[2] https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/20/style/skin-damage-blue-light-what-is-all-of-that-screen-time-doing-to-your-skin.html
• ^[3] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160613144656.htm
• ^[4] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/11/181127111044.htm
• ^[5] https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article/36/9/1355/2453883
• ^[6] https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/20/style/skin-damage-blue-light-what-is-all-of-that-screen-time-doing-to-your-skin.html
• ^[7] https://bestlifeonline.com/negative-effects-video-games/
• ^[8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3673383/
• ^[9] https://www.keckmedicine.org/myth-or-fact-you-dont-need-sunscreen-if-you-are-indoors-all-day/#:~:text=UVB%20rays%2C%20on%20the%20other,linked%20to%20most%20skin%20cancers.&text=So%20even%20if%20you%27re,rays%20and%20possible%20skin%20damage
• ^[10] https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/choose-the-right-sunscreen.html
• ^[11] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-that-cause-acne
• ^[12] https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/acne/features/exercise
• ^[13] https://www.healthline.com/health/dark-circle-under-eyes#_noHeaderPrefixedContent
• ^[14] https://theconversation.com/the-skin-is-a-very-important-and-our-largest-organ-what-does-it-do-91515