Face Masks: 10 Tips to Help Skin Irritation and Acne
Face masks have become an essential item during the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical staff members wear tightly-fitting respirators or surgical masks throughout their work shift, and the rest of us typically wear cloth masks, bandanas, or single-use surgical masks when we go about our daily tasks outdoors. What most people hadn’t anticipated is the amount of skin irritation, acne, bruising, and other skin problems daily mask-wearing would cause, no matter the kind of mask you use.
If
you find that wearing a mask makes your skin break out, or you notice
that it makes your skin red and irritated, know that you’re not alone,
as many people are facing the same problem these days. That being said,
don’t feel like you’re powerless because there are several things you
can do to help your skin recover from irritation and prevent future
breakouts and rashes. In this article, we’ve collected 10 essential tips
from dermatologists and skincare enthusiasts alike that will soothe and
protect your skin from mask-related irritation.
Why Do Face Masks Irritate the Skin?
Skin
irritation when wearing protective equipment like face masks is
extremely common. Irritation can appear as red bumps or patches on the
skin, patches of sensitivity that will burn when you wash your face, or
even pimples. There are several reasons why this happens. To begin with,
the skin on your face is thinner and significantly more sensitive than
the skin on your body, and so it is more susceptible to sensitivity,
redness, and blemishes than the body.
A
mask creates a barrier between the environment and your skin, and
excess heat and humidity get trapped in the mask - creating the perfect
environment for bacteria to multiply. Apart from that, a face mask will
fit more tightly in some areas, typically the jawline, chin, and nose,
and the friction it creates harms your skin's barrier and makes it even
more susceptible to irritation and blemishes. So, heat, humidity, and
friction combined make masks a potential skin irritant.
Needless
to say, tight-fitting respirators like the widely-known N-95 will be
more suffocating and irritating for the skin, which is why only
essential workers, specifically medical staff, are recommended to wear
these masks. Respirators can even cause bruising on the skin, which
sadly cannot be prevented.
That
being said, not wearing face masks is not an option, for the safety of
others and our own are more important than having beautiful skin.
Thankfully, you can make certain tweaks in your self-care routine to
prevent and treat mask-related skin irritation. We list these tips and
tricks, along with a soothing face mask recipe you can do at home below.
1. Use a lighter moisturizer when wearing a mask
As
we've mentioned previously, one of the reasons skin irritation occurs
is excess moisture that gets trapped in the skin. If you're using a
thick moisturizer every day before wearing a face mask, it can make
irritation worse, as it creates an occlusive layer on the skin
that traps moisture and heat in the skin. Instead, opt for a moisturizer
with a more lightweight texture, maybe even a gel moisturizer when you
know you'll be wearing a mask. This is especially true for those of you
who have oily, combination, or normal skin, as wearing a heavy
moisturizer can cause acne and breakouts.
2. Cleanse your face with lukewarm water only
If you wash your face immediately
after returning home and taking off the face mask, this may actually be
causing even more irritation. While washing the face, you're actually
somewhat stripping your skin of its lipid barrier, which is fine when
your skin is in good shape but might be harmful when it's irritated by
the face mask. To calm your skin and decrease the amount of redness,
breakouts, and dry patches that might appear after wearing a mask, try
only using lukewarm water on the face - no soap or cleansers, no
cleansing wipes, and no micellar water. To finish off, gently pat-dry
the skin with a clean towel.
3. Replace or wash your mask regularly
It
doesn't matter if you're using a disposable surgical mask, a
respirator, or a cloth mask, you have to replace or clean it according
to the manufacturer's instructions, usually after a single use. When it
comes to reusable cloth face masks, you should wash them, preferably in
the washing machine, after every use.
In
addition, be mindful of the detergent you're using to wash a cloth
mask. Opt for hypoallergenic detergents, like those intended for infants
and kids, and avoid highly-fragranced options and fabric softener,
since fragrance can cause further irritation or even an allergic
reaction. If you suspect that your face mask is causing an allergic
reaction and you see swollen red spots or patches on your skin, red or
irritated nose, mouth, or eyes, you need to call a doctor.
4. Lay off the makeup when wearing a mask
If
you're a makeup wearer, consider not applying any complexion products
like foundation, blush, concealer, etc. on your skin when wearing a
mask, at least not in the areas where the mask sits on your face. You
can still wear some mascara or undereye concealer, of course, if you so
wish, but avoiding any extra layers of product on the skin will make it
more resilient against irritation.
Dermatologists point
out an additional concern: wearing makeup underneath a mask may
increase your risk of developing a skin allergy towards some of the
ingredients in the makeup you're using in the long term.
5. Shave off the beard
Facial hair can further irritate
the skin, and it can trap more moisture and heat than smooth skin, so
it's best to shave your face clean if you're wearing a mask regularly
and experiencing some irritation as a result. In addition, some face
masks can be rendered ineffective when you have facial hair, which is
why the CDC even published facial hairstyle guidelines for those who
wear respirators, such as medical workers.
6. Choose a face masks made of natural fabrics
Obviously,
not everyone can choose the type of face mask they wear, with certain
occupations being forced to wear respirators on a daily basis. However,
many people do have the option of selecting the type of fabric they want
their face mask to have, and if you find that surgical masks are quite
irritating for your skin, we recommend you try a face mask made of a
natural type of fabric, like cotton.
Do
keep in mind, however, that single-layer cotton masks will not be
effective at protecting you and others from germs, so make sure the mask
you use has several layers of fabric. Stay away from synthetic fabrics
as much as you can.
7. Avoid spot treatments and exfoliating products
When
you get blemishes or red bumps on the skin, it's only natural that you
reach for a spot treatment of some sort, like benzoyl peroxide or sulfur
treatment. Or maybe, you're just the type of person who uses an
exfoliating cream, toner or scrub from time to time to keep your skin
smooth.
If
you suspect that the skin problem was caused by a face mask, it's
safest to avoid an exfoliating or spot treatment for a few days until
your skin regenerates, as these treatments can potentially exacerbate
the problem and make your skin sting and leave scars. Stay away from any
treatments that contain any active ingredients, such as retinol,
vitamin C, or others, as they may likewise sting and dry out your
already sensitized skin.
8. Don’t chew on gum when wearing a mask
Chewing
gum while wearing a face mask can actually cause skin rashes or bumps
around the mouth - a condition called perioral dermatitis. This is
because of the mint and other essential oils chewing gum contains, which
could be irritating for skin that's already weakened by wearing masks
on a daily basis.
The same condition could arise because of your toothpaste, with toothpaste varieties that contain the ingredient SLS
(Sodium Lauryl Sulfate), peppermint or cinnamon essential oils being
the most common irritants. If you get rashes around your mouth or on
your lips after wearing a face mask and you don't chew gum, consider
changing your toothpaste for a hypoallergenic kind - such as kids'
toothpaste or toothpaste low in fluoride and intended for sensitive
teeth.
9. Apply a calming treatment at night
During
the day, we recommended a lightweight moisturizer to minimize the
likelihood of excess humidity and heat in your skin, but the night-time
is the time to replenish and restore your skin. To do so, dermatologists
recommend using thick, occlusive moisturizers that will replenish your
skin's barrier function, which will automatically reduce the redness and
any other skin issues you may be experiencing as a result of wearing a
mask.
Opt
for fragrance-free moisturizers, such that contain
skin-barrier-friendly and soothing ingredients, such as but not limited
to:
- Ceramides
- Cholesterol
- Centella Asiatica, also known as Tiger Grass
- Oatmeal
- Panthenol
- Nourishing oils
- Zinc oxide.
10. Oatmeal water mask for skin irritation
Oatmeal
is one of the most soothing ingredients for the skin and the body
overall, with colloidal oatmeal baths (ground up oatmeal grain diluted
in water) being recommended for all kinds of skin irritation starting
with eczema and ending with skin burns. The nutrients, vitamins, and
minerals oatmeal contains have anti-inflammatory, calming, moisturizing,
and restorative properties, which make it perfect for skin irritation
of any kind.
We
recommend using colloidal oatmeal as part of your nighttime skincare
routine. To use colloidal oatmeal to soothe your skin, follow this
recipe:
1.
Process about 1 tablespoon of plain oatmeal into a very fine powder in a
food blender, add it to 1 glass of warm water and mix until the water
is dissolved completely, forming a milky-white liquid.
2.
Soak a cotton pad with the solution you've created, gently wiping
across your face, as you would with a facial toner. No need to wash off
the mixture with water. Your skin will feel slightly moisturized after
using colloidal oatmeal, but we recommend applying moisturizer over top
to seal in the moisture.