After the World Health Organisation named COVID-19 [1] a pandemic and the government issued a warning to stay indoors and only travel is absolutely essential, we've all been social distancing to stop the disease from spreading. In the beauty industry in particular, companies have made the decision to close their stores indefinitely [2].

Now more than ever, our personal hygiene [3] and what we do beauty-wise [4] play an important role in staying safe and keeping our loved ones healthy. That means working from home, only leaving for one type of exercise per day, and self-isolating as much as possible.

Still, not all changes in your routine have to be big adjustments. In fact, dermatologist Joshua Zeichner [5], MD, has shared five tiny beauty tweaks you can do to stay safe from the coronavirus, ahead.

Trim Your Nails Short

It might seem obvious, but keeping your nails short can prevent any gunk from getting trapped. "If you have long nails, make sure to wash the undersides well," Dr. Zeichner said. "Do not bite your nails [6]. Putting your fingers in your mouth is a surefire way of transferring bacteria from your fingers to your face and possibly infecting yourself."

Use Sanitary Tools to Apply Skin Care and Makeup

It goes without saying that you should avoid touching your face whenever possible, "as the virus can be spread from your fingers to infect yourself," he said. This can be tough when you're applying your makeup and skincare products, which is why you should lean on sanitary beauty tools [7] whenever possible.

Consider a Ponytail or Headband

Another important tweak to make to your beauty routine: "Keep your hair away from your face," he said. That can be hard in some cases, but Dr. Zeichner has a few simple solutions: "If you have a fringe, consider wearing a headband or a barrette. Keep long hair tied back in a ponytail."

Sing the Alphabet as You Wash Your Hands

Experts say that when you wash your face, you should always do it for at least 20 seconds to make sure the active ingredients can work their magic. The same applies to your handwashing technique, but he has a helpful tip: "Soap and water is best, but alcohol containing hand sanitisers are effective as well," Dr. Zeichner said. "Wash your hands while you sing the alphabet, like you did when you were in primary school. This ensures that you thoroughly wash the entire area. Apply a hand moisturiser [8] after washing to minimise the risk of dryness or irritation."