In the last year, one thing that we’ve definitely gotten used to is the idea of wearing a mask. The ‘new normal’ involves considering the mask to be your new t-shirt. But now that wearing a mask is becoming a new constant, our skin too is getting acclimated to it gradually. A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology reports that 97 percent rate of skin damage is enhanced and catalysed this year by COVID-19 infection-prevention measures like wearing a mask among front line medical workers in Hubei, China.
With frontline workers, wearing a mask is mandatory and like a necessary shield that cannot be taken off. On the other hand, for us, we don’t have to keep them on for long hours if we’re staying at home, they’re only used once we step out. However, for the time that we wear the mask, there’s still a big chance that our skin ages or gets damage.
Skin damage can appear in various forms but one of the most prominent visible signs seen recently is in the form of ‘maskne’ or acne caused by wearing a mask. This can be defined by the languishing experience of facial rashes and breakouts caused by the direct friction of wearing face masks. Wearing a mask for a longer duration can also cause dryness and irritation to the skin. This is because the mask ends up trapping humidity, sweat, and oil which accumulates and creates an environment for frequent breakouts.
But if masks are causing acne, what can you do to fix it?
1. Don’t make any drastic changes to your skincare routine especially when you know you’ll be wearing a mask daily for a few hours. Introducing new ingredients to your skincare regime can cause irritation to the skin easily.
2. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser that hydrates your skin but is not too harsh at the same time. Moisturise right after to make sure the skin retains some moisture throughout the day.
3. Switch to an anti-acne routine, if the breakouts seem to be stubborn and won’t budge. Ingredients like aloe vera are good at calming the skin down.
4. Before wearing the mask, always follow up on the skincare routine with a little bit of sunscreen to get the necessary skin protection before stepping out in the sun.
Watch out for masks that irritate your skin
Masks that are too tight, coarse, or itchy when worn are more likely to age and irritate your skin. If you’re dealing with skin issues, you should look for masks that are designed to keep your skin in mind. The Hi Life’s multilayered protective masks are soft on the skin while giving you 5 layers of complete protection at the same time. Our mask comes with a pair of outermost and innermost layers that are non-woven to keep its fabric soft and skin-friendly. This is followed by 2 meltblown layers for enhanced protection against bacteria and viruses and a hot wind filter layer to enhance the filtration of minute particles. So, if you’re looking for a mask that protects you completely but also takes care of your skin at the same time, our mask is made just for you.
Thanks very interesting blog!