Your mask is now a wardrobe staple. Given the rising cases of infectious disease, it seems that wearing a mask offers one of the best protections against contracting a respiratory illness. These tips will help you to keep the skin of your mid- and lower face radiant and glowing even behind a mask.
Masks can create excess moisture, irritation, inflammation, and acne.
To keep your mid- and lower face skin healthy and radiant, consider these practices:
1) Avoid wearing makeup under your mask: makeup may exacerbate the conditions that lead to skin irritation under the mask;
2) Maintain your daily routine of cleansing and moisturizing;
3) Change your mask daily if paper; wash your mask after a few wears if cloth; change your mask after it becomes wet, damaged or soiled, regardless of the material;
4) Do not over clean or over strip your skin in an effort to get a "deep clean:" rigorous cleaning or treatments may lead to scarring;
5) Consider adding a protective layer of a few drops of a refined facial oil;
6) Allow your skin to "breathe" and remove the mask daily when and where appropriate;
7) remember to apply lip balm or lip protectant;
8) Gently exfoliate skin 1-2 per week with a mild facial scrub;
9) Do not wear a tight mask: a tight-fitting mask risks blocking facial lymphatic circulation which may lead to swelling (and irritation);
10) Remember to also protect the skin around your ears form irritation and inflammation: wear a properly fitting mask and keep the areas behind and around the ears clean and moisturized.
Here's to your health and well-being!