ace Masks play a vital role in reducing the spread of germs and viruses such as Coronavirus, but can also be harsh on your skin. The problems face masks can cause after wearing them on a regular basis can range from acne, to peeling skin to rashes and itchiness. During the Covid-19 pandemic, even people without any history of skin issues have been experiencing some level of irritation or discomfort of varying degrees.

In this blog post, we are going to be going over a few top tips on how to keep your skin happy whilst wearing face masks to protect yourself and others.

Moisturise

Moisturising should be your best friend whether you are regularly wearing a mask or not, however, should be a key addition to your daily routine now mask wearing has become the norm.

Dry skin is a common theme seen by individuals that are either required to wear face masks and respirators for work, or simply by the general public popping to the shops. Gentle skin care such as moisturising can prevent skin problems, when being applied after watching your face with a mild, fragrance free cleanser.

To get the most out of your moisturising routine to protect your skin when wearing a face mask, moisturise immediately after washing your face using products that include the ingredients Ceramides, Hyaluronic acid or Dimethicone. Formulated moisturisers to suit your skin type are also a good choice, such as using gels for oily skin, lotion for normal or combination skin or creams for dry skins.

Protect your lips by applying balms or jelly

Dry skin and chapped lips are common issues caused by wearing a mask on the regular. You can prevent chapped lips by applying petroleum jelly to your lips after washing your face, before putting your mask on and before bed. This keeps them nourished and moisturised. To prevent major breakouts, make sure the jelly is only on your lips and cannot spread to your chin and cheeks.

Skip make up on the days you wear a mask

If you are an avid makeup wearer, you may have to get used to cutting back on the makeup to save your skin. Beneath a mask, your makeup is much more likely to clog your pores which can lead to breakouts. If make up is completely necessary or a requirement of your job or outing when wearing a mask, it is recommended to use makeup products that are labeled “non-comedogenic” or “won't clog pores.”

Wear the right mask for you

Last but not least, perhaps one of the most important things is to make sure you are wearing the right mask for you. To reduce skin irritation, your mask should be a snug but comfortable fit, have at least two layers of fabric/protective material, and be made from soft, natural breathable fabrics such as cotton or silk.

If you are required to wear specialist respirators that are not made from kind to skin fabric, make sure you follow our steps on how best to look after your skin when wearing a face mask. Shop our vast selection of face masks and respirators, as well as other products on our website here. 

(Photo credit: Photo by Noah Buscher on Unsplash)