Best Ways to Prevent Face Mask Skin Problem

Masks are saviours that help reduce the spread of coronavirus yet, they can be harsh on your skin. Wearing a mask for longer hours can cause skin problems like acne, rashes and itchiness. Here are nine efficient tips that will help you control these problems.

Cleanse and moisturize daily:

Use a mild cleanser to cleanse your face daily, prefer fragrance-free cleansers. Face masks generally turn skin dry over time. Applying moisturizer can help tackle dryness by providing a protective layer over your skin. Selecting a moisturizer may be tricky, so we recommend using a moisturizer that has a good percentage of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a natural hydrant that works wonders as a moisturizing ingredient.

Always choose a moisturizer based on your skin type. If you are confused about what formulation is good for your skin, refer to the below list.

Oily Skin: Gel-based moisturizer

Dry Skin: Cream-based moisturizer

Combination Skin: Lotion

Apply Petroleum Jelly

Masks affect the skin in various ways, and lips are no exception here. Lips are way more sensitive than your skin and any negligence deteriorates its looks making it darker and chapped. Apply petroleum jelly on your lips to prevent the problem of chapped lips.

There are these three times when you should apply your petroleum jelly.

Before wearing your mask.

After cleansing your face.

Before going to bed.

Applying petroleum jelly before bed is important. This is because, while we sleep our body repairs itself, and petroleum jelly will just help speed up the process.

Skip The Makeup:

Wearing a mask causes a lot of sweating on your face. Wearing makeup underneath will only make the condition worse, as this may clog your skin pores. Clogging of pores leads to breakouts. If wearing makeup is important, use only non-comedogenic products as they don't clog pores.

Test Your Skincare Product Beforehand:

Wearing a mask for a shorter duration too makes your skin sensitive. It is better to avoid trying out harsh products like an exfoliant, retinoids, etc as they can easily irritate your skin.

Reduce Certain Products:

After wearing a mask, it's very likely that most skincare products that you've used before may end up irritating your skin. If this is the case, cut down on some products like

Salicylic acid

Retinoid

Aftershave

If you're using a retinoid then it's better to apply it at night before bed and make sure not to increase its quantity.

Choose A Mask Wisely:

To avoid any skin problems, prefer mask with the following qualities:

Provides snug fit

Provides two layers of fabric

Fabric quality is soft and breathable like cotton.

A snug-fit mask is more comfortable and at the same time protects you and others from coronavirus. The snug fit should be over the nose and under the chin, also on the cheeks. If a mask feels too light or slides off the skin, it's more likely to irritate your skin. Also, you're more likely to adjust a loose mask, which means you can easily transfer germs to your face.

Avoid fabrics like nylon, polyester and rayon, as they are not the materials you would want to rest against your skin. These materials are more likely to irritate your skin causing redness, inflammation and breakouts.

Remember Taking Mask Breaks:

It is important to take 15 minutes to break from your mask every 4 hours. A lot of health care workers have reported that this technique helps save their skin from all sorts of skin problems. Though, make sure to remove your mask only when it's safe.

By safe, we mean:

Outdoors, when you are six feet distant from others. This way, you can maintain your safety as well as your skin's safety. Only when you're alone inside your car. Do not remove your mask, even if there's a single person other than you inside.

Keep Cloth Masks Clean:

A cloth mask should be washed after every use just like your normal clothes. Washing the mask removes sweat, oil, and dead skin cells that are present in the mask and can cause skin problems.

Washing your mask either by hand or a machine is fine, just make sure to:

Follow the steps to wash your mask provided on the back of its cover.

Wash the masks in hot water.

Use a fragrance-free detergent to wash your masks. If after washing your mask, its shape changes and it loses its snug fit, then it's less protective.

Don't Ignore The Treatment Plan:

If you have either acne or rosacea, it becomes necessary to follow the instructions your doctor provides you. This helps to keep the condition in control