Lockdown Breakouts

Stress

Stress can trigger elevated levels of cortisol (the stress hormone), causing an overall metabolic imbalance in the body (which also affects sleep). For women specifically, this decreases oestrogen production, which subsequently means a higher amount of androgen (male hormone).

While the condition of your skin might not be your usual, it's probably happening due to this totally normal response.

Off Sleep Schedules

Stress leads us onto the next possible factor, differing sleep patterns.

When sleep deprived, the body makes more cortisol, which causes inflammation and can worsen skin conditions such as eczema, acne, and psoriasis. Trying to keep your sleep as consistent as you can will only do good things for your overall well-being and skin.

You Might Be Consuming More Alcohol Than Normal

When you drink alcohol, your skin becomes dry and can look wrinkly, in addition to causing puffiness in the face." said Susan Mayou, consultant dermatologist at the Cadogan Clinic in London. While drinking likely won't be the root cause of your skin woes, it probably isn't helping. It's up to you whether that extra glass of wine is worth it for dry and puffy skin in the morning.

You're Lacking Vitamin D

Vitamin D is crucial to cell differentiation and development. UV light in moderation has a beneficial effect to some skin conditions like acne. Staying inside will prevent this. Your body can't make vitamin D if you're sitting indoors by a sunny window because ultraviolet B (UVB) rays (the ones your body needs to make vitamin D) can't get through the glass.