Protective face masks may be here here to stay. Here’s how you can take care of your skin and prevent rashes and acne.
Face masks are all the rage now, with fashion companies making their own versions and people using them as a way of expressing themselves. Who would have guessed in January that face masks would be the new must-have fashion accessory? This trend started when COVID-19 emerged, but now that the CDC is advising everyone to wear them, we’re coming to terms with the fact that face masks have become a part of our routines. Possibly forever (please not forever, please!).
Wearing a face mask is not very comfortable or flattering, no matter what it’s made of. The covering makes it hard to breathe, fogs up your glasses and smears your makeup. The constant contact of fabric on face is also annoying, making your face itchy and uncomfortable. People who wear face masks for long periods of time or have sensitive skin might be experiencing rashes, bouts of acne, irritation and more.
Here’s how you can protect your skin from an invasive mask as much as possible:
Wash your face mask
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Face masks can and will get dirty easily and it’s very important to clean them since you’re breathing through these. You should wash your face mask depending on the frequency of use; for example, if you go out once a day you should wash the mask about once a week. If you go out every day, you should wash your mask every couple of days, or buy different face masks and keep track of your use, like a t-shirt. If you feel like you may have been close to someone who’s sick, you should wash your mask right away.
Face masks and coverings – provided they’re not disposable or N95 masks – could be washed in the washing machine or by hand. Whatever option is most comfortable to you.
Wash your face regularly
If you’ve been experiencing bouts of acne, rashes and other types of skin irritation near the seams of your face mask, it might help you to wash your face before putting on the mask and after you take it off. Face masks can trap oil and debris in your pores, especially if you wear them for long periods of time or if your face is naturally oily. You can also wear acne dots if you have pimples and don’t want them to come in contact with your mask.
Don’t go crazy with the skin care products
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The skin on your face is very delicate. There’s also a wide variety of products that can target all sorts of ailments, making it very appealing for you to buy what you want and start tending to your skin. Most of the time, it’s best to control these impulses and to give your face some breathing room. Adding tons of different chemicals might just dry your skin and irritate it more, making your problem more painful and prominent. Treat your pimples and blemishes with products that you trust, pimple patches and regular washes. The best thing you can do is to keep your face hydrated, healthy and clean.
