We all wear masks and that’s a very good thing because we should be responsible and protect ourselves and others during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this not only has health benefits, it also causes another inconvenience. More people experience increased acne when wearing cloth masks. This phenomenon has even been given its own name, maskne. It is a combination of the English words mask and acne.
The most common type of maskne is acne resulting from prolonged irritation of the skin with material. An additional cause is moisture, produced by our breathing and sweating skin.
To make your skin more resistant to irritation, dermatologists suggest working out extra steps in your daily facial care. It is best to introduce a hypoallergenic and fragrance-free moisturizer enriched with gentle ingredients that renew, repair the skin. It would be good if this product also contained SPF protection. Products that create a protective barrier on the skin, such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid or squalane can also be helpful. Single imperfections can be spot treated with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. However, they should be used with caution, in small amounts.
A step towards preventing the formation of masks can be to buy or sew yourself a mask made of 100% cotton material. It lets air through better. Such a mask should fit well so that it does not have to be constantly corrected, slipped over the nose, etc., which can cause further irritation, not to mention the transfer of contaminants from the hands to the face area. Such a mask should be washed at a high temperature, using an unscented, hypoallergenic detergent and no fabric softener.
Surgical disposable masks can also be a solution. Then we can be sure that we always use a clean and fresh copy. The only disadvantage is the increased production of waste. And as we know, the planet must be taken care of as well as our own health.
Read also: What beauty products to use in winter?
Main photo: Edward Berthelot/ Getty Images Entertainment/ Getty Images
