Wearing a mask is one of the main COVID safety measures. Whether it is made out of fabric or paper, when it is worn for hours on end, frequently removed and put back on again, it will not spare your skin.
Wearing a mask causes rubbing, heating, restricts air movement, sweating, and increased humidity. All of these phenomena disrupt the ecosystem of the skin, creating favorable conditions for the appearance of skin reactions: redness, irritation, etc. “Retentional” acne can appear in people with oily skin who already have blackheads. Imperfections can occur on the nose and chin, causing what is called “maskne“.
Fighting Adverse Effects
Under the mask, the skin is smothered and may become itchy, turn red, or develop burning sensations. Sensitive skin is particularly impacted, with dry or eczema-prone skin seeing symptoms worsen. It is subject to allergic reactions as well as increased irritation due to mask-wearing.
Combination to oily skin types are not spared because, to defend themselves against the perceived attack, the skin secretes even more sebum. A chain reaction that quickly causes imperfections.
Operation Reparation
As it is already over-solicited, the skin requires gentle cleansing. Make-up removal and cleansing should be done in the evening to rid the epidermis of impurities. In the morning, it is better to go for a light refreshing with clean water to stress the skin as little as possible. Foaming or micellar cleansers should be avoided as long as irritation is present. In this case, it is better to choose oils or lotions.
If you experience skin sensitivity on the nose, cheeks, or ears, you can use the Reparative Cream to soothe, relieve, and improve the state of your skin.
Our Reparative Lotion is ideal to treat the irritated epidermis in humid environments. This is exactly what happens to the surface of the skin trapped under a mask due to heat and condensation. If you need moisturizing and daytime protection, our Daily Moisturizing Cream in our Hydra-Protect+ range is rich in Organic hyaluronic acid from fermentation, whereas our Regenerative Night Cream activates cellular renewal and envelops the skin with a protective cocoon feel. Finally, if the problem caused by your mask are areas with pimples, do not hesitate to apply a little Reparative Lotion or Cream on each spot. They will magically disappear!
The Right Reflexes
In any case, reduce the use of occlusive make-up, like thick foundation that does not let the skin breathe. Instead, use a Tinted Sunscreen, which will protect the skin from the adverse effects of the sun and premature skin aging. For a bit of relief of the irritated zones, you can use a moisturizing mask once or twice a week. You can also do a light scrubbing every two weeks.
Finally, choose cotton masks as the material is less irritating for the skin and lets it breathe more. A fabric mask is washable and therefore less polluting than single-use masks. Remember to wash it frequently and to respect all safety measures while paying attention to the balance of your skin.
