Why Your Skin Looks Dull by 3pm at Work — 5 Fixes for Nigerian Professional Women

One question I keep getting asked on the days I wear makeup to work is "how does your makeup still look so good at the close of work?". I never touch-up and I never reapply anything. I hate getting my makeup done in a place where I'm not used to so when I apply my makeup at home, thats's pretty much it for the day. You can ask anyone who has worked with me before, lol.

So, if you are one of those who leaves the house at 7am looking polished, but by 3pm your skin and makeup are another story. Here is exactly what is happening and my take on what you can do about it. Let's just say this is my working woman's guide to keeping your skin looking alive from 8am to 6pm: 

 

Reason 1: You are not drinking enough water

The fix: One glass of water every hour at your desk. Set a phone reminder if needed. Skin dehydration shows fastest on darker skin as a grey, ashy or dull tone. It is your skin's way of telling you it is running low. 

If a glass of water every hour won't do, then try a bottle of water before you leave the house in the morning, when you get to work in the morning, at mid-day, in the afternoon before the word day ends, once you get home and once again before you go to bed. That way, you'll drink a lot more water than you usually do and it will be easier to up it from there.

The simple test: Press a finger against your cheek for two seconds. If the skin takes more than a second to bounce back, you are dehydrated. If it snaps back immediately, you are fine.

 

Reason 2: Air conditioning is drying out your skin

Office air conditioning strips moisture from the air (just like a long haul flight). Your skin responds by losing water throughout the day, no matter how good your morning moisturiser was.

The fix: Keep a small facial mist at your desk (and a travel size moisturiser too for no-makeup days). One or two spritzes on your face mid-morning and mid-afternoon takes 10 seconds and resets the moisture level. Look for a mist with hyaluronic acid or rosewater. Avoid anything with alcohol as the main ingredient.

Budget-friendly option: Pure Rose water always works. I also like the Zaron Moisture Boost Hydrating Essence

 

Reason 3: You are touching your face

Stress, habit, resting your chin in your hand during meetings — by 3pm your hands have transferred oils, bacteria, and general office contamination onto your face multiple times. Quick confession, I always wear eye makeup to prevent me scratching my eyes cos I tend to scratch my eyes a lot.

The fix: Put your phone on the desk instead of against your cheek, better still, get an ear bud - not headphones, an ear bud. You absolutely need to become very, very conscious of this habit. Other than the fact that it messes with your makeup, it also stains everything too - your notepad, keyboard keys, desk, mug, pen, everything. 

If you need to dab your face, get a pack of oil-absorbing sheets or better still, be like me and press tissue gently but formly to the oily parts of your face in the course of the day. Don't rub, dab. Dabbing won't disturb your makeup, rubbing will.

 

Reason 4: Your morning routine is missing something

If you are cleansing and moisturising without SPF and a Vitamin C serum, your skin has nothing protecting it during the day. UV rays and pollution are working on your skin right now in your office, through the window.

The fix: Read this post and add the two missing steps (Vitamin C serum and SPF) to your morning routine. This single change makes a measurable difference to how your skin looks by midday. 

 

Reason 5: Your moisturiser is not right for your skin type

If you are using a rich, buttery cream designed for dry skin but you are combination or oily, your skin will be shiny and pore-clogged by 3pm. If you are using a lightweight gel moisturiser but you have dry skin, you will be dull and tight. Moisturiser makes a world of difference to skin finish.

The fix: Oily to combination skin — use a lightweight gel moisturiser or a lotion, not a cream. Dry skin — use a cream formulation. Normal skin — either will work, go with whichever you prefer. When in doubt, a ceramide-based moisturiser works across most skin types.

 

Your 2-Minute Midday Touch-Up Routine

If you have two minutes at your desk at lunchtime (and you definitely have 2 minutes), this is all you need:

•      Blot with an oil-absorbing sheet (or tissue if that's what is closer)

•      2 spritzes of facial mist, let it dry for 15 seconds

•      Reapply SPF if you are eating lunch outdoors

No makeup removal. No complicated products. Two minutes, and your skin looks like you just arrived.

Beautiful skin at 3pm is not about having a longer routine. It is about having the right habits.

The women in your office who like me, always look fresh are not doing more. They are doing the right things consistently. Now you have the list.

 

Next week, we'll be talking about makeup for the Professional woman. Stay close.