How To Beat Maskne!

by BR Amelia

Masks. They're so hot right now. They're the health conscious persons favourite accessory! And it's not ununsual for we mask wearers to own them in a variety of colours and patterns to suit our mood or look. But as hot - and necessary - as they are, they do bring with them some challenges... and not just for those of us who wear specs and struggle with them steaming up while trying to figure out what style of flour is best for this week's bake. You see, I rarely get pimples, but since wearing a mask while out and about I'm finding myself breaking out... in the areas covered by a mask.

Is this really all that surprising? Not so when you consider that masks cover our skin, trapping in dirt and sweat, as well as rubbing up against it, not to mention smothering it in the hot air and humidity from our breath. Really, it's a skin irritation hot zone.

So is there anything we can do to save our skin if it experiences a breakout due to mask wearing?

First things first, as tempting as it might be during these times to get slack about our daily and nightly skincare regime - don't. It's important to cleanse/tone/serum/moisturise/sunscreen as you usually would.

Love makeup? Now's the time to curb that adoration. Makeup and masks don't mix. So avoid wearing makeup when heading out - at the very least keep the area around and underneath the mask clear. However, do feel free to apply a nourishing balm to your lips to keep them from drying out.

Now to the mask. Make sure the mask you're wearing is made from a breathable fabric like cotton. Avoid synthetic fabrics. It's also important that it fits well, but isn't so loose or tight as to chaffe and further irritate your skin.

Post mask use, take it off and wash it with a fragrance-free laundry powder - especially if you're wearing it for an extended length of time. This is why having a few on hand, or using disposables, is a good idea. No point taking great care of your skin only to introduce it to old, stanky bacteria!

Once you've removed your mask, use a super gentle cleanser to cleanse your skin, as using a harsh cleanser can further irritate your skin. Then follow it up with a moisturiser that is suitable for your skin type, as mask wearing is known to dry skin out.

If you are experiencing a breakout, then not wearing makeup while your skin heals is recommended. And if things get really rough, a chat with a dermatologist or your doctor is a good idea.

So, have you found your skin has suffered with mask use? What are your tips to keeping it calm, soothed and cleansed? Sharing is caring!