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.