For many of us, face masks have become an essential part of everyday life thanks to the coronavirus. But regularly wearing one can have an unfortunate side-effect: mask-induced acne, aka “maskne”.
The high levels of stress brought about from the pandemic also factor in as a cause; so, although wearing masks may not be the only reason for this, consumers have been repeatedly speaking out on the number of skin concerns they have experienced from wearing masks such as sores, abrasions, rashes etc. The majority that have been affected by these concerns include frontline workers, but now that everything else is beginning to open up and most people are back to work, that number will surely be expanding. Fortunately, there are hacks and solutions on the market that have been reported to alleviate these symptoms. Below, we have put together some information on the issue to help guide you into wearing masks whilst avoiding common side effects.
Considering Your Choices
Before setting off on a hunt for new products, you may want to consider eliminating the problem from its root. The material of the mask you chose can easily make all the difference whether or not you experience irritation. It has been months since the outbreak which means that by this point, there is a substantial selection of masks that come in all sizes, colours, styles, and most importantly, fabric! Dermatologist Jessica Wu advises against opting for synthetic fibers such as polyester, spandex, and wool; natural fibers like cotton or bamboo are much softer on the skin. There are many bestselling cotton and bamboo face masks being sold on Etsy such as Custom Cuddlies Shop’s Cotton Face Mask or Super soft Bamboo cotton Jersey Face Mask coming in a range of colours for men, women, and children. The Under Armour Sports Mask is great for workouts; its water-resistant design protects the material whilst allowing air to flow through helping to avoid oil build-up that may potentially lead to “maskne”.
Avoiding Clogged Pores
If you are already dealing with irritation or can’t seem to find a mask that doesn’t cause sensitivity, here are some ways you can repair and soothe your skin. Breakouts and acne are some of the most common mask-related complaints. This occurs by the mask preventing the skin from breathing and therefore trapping oils between the mask and face. This can result in breakouts, acne, and even dermatitis, a rash triggered by contact with a particular substance. Removing oily products from your makeup & skincare routine would be a good start dealing with this, such as using an oil-free primer and opting for powders over dewy liquids. As for treatment, sulfur is often recommended for those who suffer from acne and breakouts due to its ability to absorb excess oil from the skin and dry out dead skin cells to help unclog your pores. Some of the products on the market containing sulfur include Dr Dennis Gross Clarifying Colloidal Sulphur Mask, working to fight inflammation and bacteria whilst calming the skin, and the Bioderma Sebium H2O Micellar Water designed to balance the sebum levels and control shine.
It’s not just maskne…
General sensitivity such as itching caused by rashes is another commonly talked about side effect of wearing masks. The Balmonds Skin Salvation balm is an excellent ointment for a variety of skin rashes and has been positively reviewed by many frontline workers throughout the pandemic. It’s an oil-based product formulated with ingredients that perform a number of protecting and repairing functions whilst being completely free of toxic ingredients making it a safe choice for sensitivities like abrasions or broken skin. You may also want to consider products containing skin barrier boosting ingredients such as Ceramides hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.
Wearing masks is becoming a big part of our lives being one of the necessary adjustments that we need to prevent the virus from spreading. When dealing with skincare symptoms, it is important that we not only seek out effective remedies but also share successful results in order to spread awareness making the effects of the pandemic a little less uncomfortable.
Have you been dealing with any side effects from wearing a mask?
