Face Masks & Skin Concerns - The Cheat Sheet

 

Face masks are the new normal, but they can seriously impact our skin. Irritations, dryness, breakouts (also referred to as ‘maskne’)… every skin reacts differently, and it can be frustrating! Thankfully, there are solutions – and I’ve summarised below my top tips for you.

 

1.       How to choose your mask?

- For the best protection, buy masks with a minimum of 2 layers of fabric

- Favour natural fabrics (cotton, linen, silk) over synthetic ones. They tend to have greater breathability and are gentler on the skin.

- Silk is best for sensitive skins

- Wash your mask after every wearing, and replace them often - fabric fibres loosen with repeated washings, which can impact filtration capabilities

 

2.       If you suffer from dryness and/or irritations

 - Check your washing liquid or powder: you want ideally to use one that’s fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and non-bio

- Choose the right face cleanser: milk and cream formulas will be the gentlest and avoid damaging skin's barrier

- Pare back on potentially irritating actives: retinol, AHAs, BHAs - I'm looking at you...

- Introduce soothing and anti-inflammatory actives: niacinamide, snail mucin, green tea...

- Use occlusive and/or repairing creams to create a protective barrier between your skin and the mask

- Spray pure rose water throughout the day to keep the skin soothed and hydrated

 

Product recommendations:

  • The Ordinary - Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

  • COSRX - Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

  • Benton - Deep Green Tea Toner

  • La Roche-Posay - Cicaplast Baume B5

  • Kate Somerville - DeliKate Recovery Cream

  • Lucas' Papaw Ointment

  • 100% Pure Organic Rose Water

 

3.       If you suffer from breakouts

- Pack 2 face masks with you when you leave the house so you can change it half-way through the day; you want to avoid trapping sweat, sebum, makeup and bacteria under your mask for an extended period of time

- Double cleanse as soon as you get home: oil-based cleanser first, water-based cleanser second

- Add a BHA toner into your routine a few nights a week, to unclog pores and calm the inflammation: salicylic acid is the most powerful, betaine salicylate is a good option for sensitive or dry skins

- Lower the inflammation in your skin: niacinamide, LED mask with blue light 

- Avoid wearing base makeup (primer, foundation or concealer) under the mask as much as possible

- Cover breakouts with a pimple patch to speed up the healing and protect it from further irritation caused by the fabric rubbing on the skin

 

Product recommendations:

  • Paula's Choice - Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant (salicylic acid)

  • COSRX - BHA Blackhead Power Liquid (betaine salicylate)

  • The Ordinary - Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

  • Dr Dennis Gross - DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro

  • COSRX - Acne Pimple Master Patch

 

 
Ines Benhamouche