
Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Change Your Skincare Routine While In Quarantine

There's been a lot of changes, I know. From adjusting to the work-from-home life while trying not to get distracted by everything else going on in your home, down to the precautions you have to take when you need to leave your house -- it's a lot. While we're going through these layers of changes and adjusting to a new normal, one thing that should stay the same is your skincare routine.
A lot of our skincare routines are in place to not only clean our skin but also protect us from environmental dangers like debris, UV damage, pollution, dullness, and more. Even though we're home most of the time, you still have to protect yourself while you're indoors too. Being indoors doesn't necessarily protect our skin from those environmental dangers, in fact, not getting fresh air can even require more skincare maintenance.
Here's what your skincare routine should look like, quarantined or not.
Still Wash Your Face
Dirt, bacteria, and oil can still build up on our face after something as simple as taking a nap. While on quarantine, I've been taking time to really focus on what skin concerns bother me and actually doing something about it with the time. Regardless of what your skin concerns may be, you should still cleanse your face about twice a day.
Tone Your Skin
I'm not going to lie, toning my face is extremely satisfying for me. It not only treats your skin but it removes any extra dirt or oils and provides you with an extra layer of clean. I must have been living under a rock because I just peeped the variety of toners skincare has to offer: some for dark circles, acne, evening your skin tone, or just your regular degular toner.
Add a Serum
I think this step is very important. Even if I ran out of toner, I MUST use a serum. Face serum helps create a barrier for our skin, locking in moisture to soften your skin and refine your pores. As of lately I've been using a Vitamin C serum (check out our article "Say Hello To Your Winter Skincare Hero: Vitamin C Serum"). Vitamin C serums help with achieving an even skin tone, while brightening and hydrating your skin. There are tons of serums but I recommend you get one that aligns with your skin concerns.
Please, Wear Sunscreen or SPF
Sunscreen is important all year, inside and outside. You ever open your windows and you immediately feel the heat from the sun? The sun is still getting in and you're still exposed, sis. That's exactly why we need to wear sunscreen of SPF 30+ in the house. Most windows don't block all the rays that can be damaging for our skin and sunscreen adds much-needed protection. Also, for all my ladies with hyperpigmentation, using a sunscreen will help prevent dark spots from forming.
Now, Let’s Moisturize
Sunscreen is a movement by itself, but it's a force with moisturizer. Besides hydrating your skin, moisturizers help prevent breakouts and build skin barriers to protect you from pollution and other environmental factors. Moisturizers can also be more effective for you if you use a formula that addresses your skin concerns i.e. dullness, redness, dark spots, and acne-treating moisturizers.
I personally like to get moisturizers with SPF but if you can't, the best way to protect your skin is to use both.
Do you have a beauty, wellness or self-care find you've tried recently and want to share your experience? Join the xoTribe members community to connect with other beauty lovers and share your wins with the tribe.
Featured image by Shutterstock
Freelance writer, content creator, and traveler. She enjoys the beauty of simplicity, a peaceful life, and a big curly fro. Connect with Krissy on social media @iamkrissylewis or check out her blog at www.krissylewis.com.
Devale Ellis On Being A Provider, Marriage Growth & Redefining Fatherhood
In this candid episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker talked with Devale Ellis, actor, social media personality, and star of Zatima, about modern masculinity, learning to be a better husband, emotional presence in marriage, fatherhood for Black men, and leading by example.
“I Wasn’t Present Emotionally”: Devale Ellis on Marriage Growth
Devale Ellis On Learning He Was a ‘Bad Husband’
Ellis grew up believing that a man should prioritize providing for his family. “I know this may come off as misogynistic, but I feel like it’s my responsibility as a man to pay for everything,” he said, emphasizing the wise guidance passed down by his father. However, five years into his marriage to long-time partner Khadeen Ellis, he realized provision wasn’t just financial.
“I was a bad husband because I wasn’t present emotionally… I wasn’t concerned about what she needed outside of the resources.”
Once he shifted his mindset, his marriage improved. “In me trying to be of service to her, I learned that me being of service created a woman who is now willing to be of service to me.”
On Redefining Masculinity and Fatherhood
For Ellis, “being a man is about being consistent.” As a father of four, he sees parenthood as a chance to reshape the future.
“Children give you another chance at life. I have four different opportunities right now to do my life all over again.”
He also works to uplift young Black men, reinforcing their worth in a world that often undermines them. His values extend to his career—Ellis refuses to play roles that involve domestic violence or sexual assault.
On Marriage, Family Planning, and Writing His Story
After his wife’s postpartum preeclampsia, Ellis chose a vasectomy over her taking hormonal birth control, further proving his commitment to their partnership. He and Khadeen share their journey in We Over Me, and his next book, Raising Kings: How Fatherhood Saved Me From Myself, is on the way.
Through honesty and growth, Devale Ellis challenges traditional ideas of masculinity, making his story one that resonates deeply with millennial women.
For the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker peels back the layers of masculinity with candid conversations that challenge stereotypes and celebrate vulnerability. Real men. Real stories. Real talk.
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by YouTube/xoNecole
Devale Ellis On Being A Provider, Marriage Growth & Redefining Fatherhood
In this candid episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker talked with Devale Ellis, actor, social media personality, and star of Zatima, about modern masculinity, learning to be a better husband, emotional presence in marriage, fatherhood for Black men, and leading by example.
“I Wasn’t Present Emotionally”: Devale Ellis on Marriage Growth
Devale Ellis On Learning He Was a ‘Bad Husband’
Ellis grew up believing that a man should prioritize providing for his family. “I know this may come off as misogynistic, but I feel like it’s my responsibility as a man to pay for everything,” he said, emphasizing the wise guidance passed down by his father. However, five years into his marriage to long-time partner Khadeen Ellis, he realized provision wasn’t just financial.
“I was a bad husband because I wasn’t present emotionally… I wasn’t concerned about what she needed outside of the resources.”
Once he shifted his mindset, his marriage improved. “In me trying to be of service to her, I learned that me being of service created a woman who is now willing to be of service to me.”
On Redefining Masculinity and Fatherhood
For Ellis, “being a man is about being consistent.” As a father of four, he sees parenthood as a chance to reshape the future.
“Children give you another chance at life. I have four different opportunities right now to do my life all over again.”
He also works to uplift young Black men, reinforcing their worth in a world that often undermines them. His values extend to his career—Ellis refuses to play roles that involve domestic violence or sexual assault.
On Marriage, Family Planning, and Writing His Story
After his wife’s postpartum preeclampsia, Ellis chose a vasectomy over her taking hormonal birth control, further proving his commitment to their partnership. He and Khadeen share their journey in We Over Me, and his next book, Raising Kings: How Fatherhood Saved Me From Myself, is on the way.
Through honesty and growth, Devale Ellis challenges traditional ideas of masculinity, making his story one that resonates deeply with millennial women.
For the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker peels back the layers of masculinity with candid conversations that challenge stereotypes and celebrate vulnerability. Real men. Real stories. Real talk.
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by YouTube/xoNecole