How to avoid skin problems when wearing a mask

Wearing a mask is certainly very useful in the fight against Covid-19, but it can generate small imperfections if you don't take a few precautions!

-Article originally published on July 20, 2020

As announced on Rockie a few days ago, the government will soon introduce mandatory mask-wearing in all enclosed public places.

You may have noticed: wearing a mask, as beneficial as it is to reduce the spread of Covid-19, often tends to generate skin imperfections.

I therefore offer you today a little guide to avoid these skin inconveniences!

The different skin problems caused by wearing a mask

Wearing a mask can have different consequences depending on the person. In fact, it depends a little on the nature of your skin at the base.

In people with naturally oily skin, for example, wearing a mask tends to promote acne breakouts.

As explained by Nina Roos, dermatologist interviewed by Marie France, the mask prevents moisture and perspiration from being evacuated, which leads to clogged pores and therefore the appearance of inflammation.

For naturally dry skin, wearing a mask tends to generate small irritations that come either from the friction of the mask on the face, or from the absorption of sebum secreted by the skin, which therefore aggravates the dryness .

These irritations can manifest themselves in different forms: redness, eczema, small pimples, tightness, peeling, etc.

Certain materials can also contribute to these irritations, which is why Cosmopolitan recommends, on the advice of dermatologist Catherine Gaucher, to favor cotton masks that allow the skin to breathe more.

It is also essential to wash your mask regularly, already to optimize its effectiveness, but also to avoid accumulating impurities which could also damage your skin, as very rightly explained by MEL Magazine.

How to avoid pimples when wearing a mask?

If you fall into the first category, namely people who tend to see all kinds of pimples appear on their face after wearing a mask, it is important to cleanse your skin regularly.

The goal is to rid the pores of all the small particles that accumulate there while wearing the mask.

For this, I advise you to use a product specifically dedicated to cleansing the skin (and not a shower gel which will be too aggressive) morning and evening.

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If you have a cleansing brush, it's even better since its spikes allow you to deeply cleanse the skin. But given the investment it represents, I can understand that it is not a priority for you.

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During the day, opt for the lightest possible, silicone-free moisturizer to avoid overloading the skin and creating more blackheads by clogging the pores.

In the evening, after removing make-up and cleansing your skin (OF COURSE), you can apply an anti-blemish serum with effective active ingredients such as zinc, tea tree, peppermint or salicylic acid.

How to avoid irritation due to wearing a mask?

If your skin reacts to the mask with irritation such as dryness, redness and dehydration, you will have to focus on protecting your skin with rather rich products that will form a barrier on the surface of the face.

Be careful, you can still be affected by the same problems of clogged pores as oily skin (two for the price of one, what a joy!), so do not hesitate to cleanse your face at least in the evening.

Choose a product that is as gentle as possible, especially if you have dry, reactive skin.

In the morning, I advise you to apply a moisturizing serum or aloe vera gel to anticipate the dehydration that your mask may cause.

Then apply a nourishing cream, paying particular attention to the friction areas of the mask, to form a barrier that prevents both the hydration from evaporating AND the skin from being irritated.

You can also choose an oil like hemp or argan oil instead of cream, or even a multi-purpose balm. All are particularly greasy and therefore protect the skin well against friction.

Anyway, as it will be under the mask, no one will see that you shine!

For the balm, however, I advise you to apply it locally (over the moisturizer for example) to avoid clogging the pores.

To properly repair your skin in the evening, after cleansing it, a serum in the form of an oil will be your best ally: packed with nourishing, restructuring and soothing active ingredients, it will act in depth and limit the damage of the mask. day to day.

Apply it on bare skin, over your hydrating serum or over your moisturizer for even more nutrition.

Finally, you can rehydrate your skin throughout the day with a moisturizing mist, also packed with active ingredients that will be good for the skin. I made a whole selection of them last year, I invite you to check it out here!

Of course, don't forget to drink a lot, even more than usual, because hydration also (and above all) comes from within.

And don't despair: these inconveniences are a bit annoying, but after all it's better than catching (and spreading) covid-19, right?

Also read: The state of health emergency has been lifted, but we must remain vigilant