How To Avoid Mask Irritation
Wearing face masks has become part of our daily lives, along with extra safety measures like washing our hands and social distancing, we have learned to adapt. But has our skin?
We hear daily reports of our clients suffering from break-outs, friction burns and irritation. Especially for those of us that already suffer from sensitive skin.
Wearing masks can cause moisture to be trapped underneath which can result in the spread of bacteria. Not to mention friction from the fabric can cause inflamed areas and the lack of circulation to the area can lead to clogged pores and pimples.
Here’s a few ideas to help prevent all of this, as it seems we will be continuing to wear masks for some time now!
Wash or Change Your Masks Regularly!
If it’s a reusable mask it needs to be washed after every use and if it’s a disposable mask it needs to be changed everyday. This prevents the bacteria that may have gathered under your mask being absorbed back into your skin.
2. Cleanse Your Skin!
As we have mentioned earlier wearing masks can cause excess moisture and oil to collect, it is so important to cleanse at least twice a day, especially right after removing your mask with a low foam cleansing product.
Try using our bare grapefruit and lime cleanser, efficient enough to remove the excess oil with natural fruit acids and balancing oils such as germanium and jojoba but gentle enough to use often with our chemical free surfactant to wash away bacteria without stripping the skin!
Bare Grapefruit and Lime Cleanser $25
3. Exfoliate!
An accumulation of dead, dry skin cells can lead to clogged pores and eventually break-outs. It’s so important for ALL skins to exfoliate at least twice a week especially while wearing a mask daily.
Try our bare ylang ylang face scrub with an active combination of 3 exfoliants including gentle jojoba beads, cranberry fibres, apricot seeds and natural alpha hydroxy acids from the neroli floral water base. Combined with the anti-bacterial effect of the rosemary and ylang ylang essential oils, this treatment will be sure to prevent break-outs and keep the skin smooth.
Bare Ylang Ylang Face Scrub $28
4. Soothe Irritation.
Wearing a mask for a prolonged period can also cause dry skin and irritation for some people. And for those with extremely sensitive and thin skin it can cause a friction burn, which can be painful.
Try using our bare rescue balm with a base of rich cocoa butter and zinc to soothe irritations and dryness. With aloe vera and lavender floral water to calm and relieve painful chapped skin. Try using it before you put on your mask to give a layer of protection.
Bare Rescue Balm $30
5. Spritz!
If you find your skin accumulating oil or feeling grimy while on the go, try a spritz! Any of our 3 toners would work well as they are all made with floral waters and glycerin to hydrate and soothe. But for those with oily skins that are dealing with ‘maskne’ (aka mask acne), we would recommend our bare rosemary and lavender toner with added witch hazel to speed healing, lavender hydrasol to soothe and rosemary hydrasol for it’s anti-bacterial properties. Bring it with you to work and spritz anytime to refresh the skin and calm inflammations, the uplifting smells of our natural essential oils will soothe your soul too!
Bare Rosemary and Lavender Toner $18
How NOT to wear your mask!