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How to protect your skin while wearing a mask

17 August 2020 | By Tammy Jacks

Just when you thought you had waved goodbye to redness and erratic skin behaviour forever, along comes Covid-19, which means having to wear face masks and wash hands more frequently.

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While covering your mouth and nose with a face mask is a key step to preventing the spread of Covid-19, it can also irritate and damage the skin, says beauty therapist and owner of Zemndhu Salon in Johannesburg, Kate Geddes. This is because the sweaty and damp conditions under the mask can cause anything from skin breakouts and “maskne” to redness, itchiness and rashes or chafing especially around the chin, mouth, nose and ears. This happens more often to those who need to wear masks for longer periods such as beauty therapists or hairdressers, restaurant staff and people working in retail.

If you’re suffering from sensitive skin and a host of other pesky skincare conditions in this time, the good news is, a few simple tweaks to your skincare regime, and the right treatments on hand is all it takes to protect your skin and reclaim a clear complexion.

Take regular mask “breaks”

It sounds obvious, but if you’re required to wear your mask for hours at a time, it’s easy to forget to take it off, says Kate. Take your mask off as soon as you're at home - and wash it, and your face

And, if you have sensitive skin, consider the type of mask you use. “Many of my clients with sensitive skins or conditions such as rosacea prefer to use disposable masks because, although they’re still made with three layers, they’re lighter and cause less friction than some of the heavier plastic or cloth masks,” she adds. While they don’t need to be washed with harsh detergents as you dispose and replace them regularly, they do come with a larger environmental impact, so only consider disposable masks as a last resort.

Use a balm or ointment to prevent and treat chafing

“To soothe chafed skin, you want to look for a soothing balm or ointment that contains camphor and protective ingredients like eucalyptus and zinc,” says Kate. Zinc oxide is a skin protectant often used for rashes and severely dry, irritated patches of skin.

A little goes a long way, so only apply a “thumbnail amount” to affected areas or where friction from the mask occurs – such as behind your ears or on the bridge of your nose.

Lock in hydration

To avoid dryness and skin irritation, it’s important to keep your skin’s moisture barrier intact as this is responsible for keeping your skin hydrated and healthy - look for skincare products which contain hyaluronic acid and dimethicone - a key ingredient often found in primers that calms and protects the skin. 

When it comes to your skincare routine, Kate recommends swapping to alcohol-free toners and ditching harsh foaming washes and abrasive exfoliators.

"It’s also a good idea to wear less make-up under your mask and to moisturise and protect your lips too," adds Kate.

Add masks to your skincare routine

A good hydrating mask twice a week will help to replenish the skin. Get the most out of your masks by massaging them into your skin while you’re in the bath - the warm steam enhances the experience and improves the skin’s microcirculation.

Overnight masks also work wonders as this is when your body repairs and restores itself. “Don’t be shy to rotate between an assortment of creamy, hydrating, gel, and hyaluronic masks too,” adds Kate. 

Manage possible infections

According to the Mayo Clinic, in some cases, damaged skin can increase your risk of infection and may need more than home care. Treatment may include prescription medicines and skin therapies. It’s important to speak to your pharmacist or dermatologist if:

·     You develop cracked skin that starts to bleed

·     Have blisters that turn into ulcers or become infected

·     Have a serious skin reaction to fabric masks

IMAGE CREDIT: 123rf.com

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