With the many lifestyle changes we’ve experienced in the last several months, one thing we didn’t expect along the way is “maskne”. While wearing masks is essential to protect ourselves and our loved ones, we weren’t necessarily prepared for the skin concerns that come with wearing masks.
So, what is maskne? It is a term used to describe the unpleasant effects that wearing a mask can have on our skin. In order to combat the skin issues that may arise as a result of daily mask-wearing, follow our expert advice on perfecting your skincare regimen.
Cleanse morning and night
Cleansing in the morning will remove the oil and bacteria that collects on your face overnight, preventing you from trapping it between your skin and your mask all day. Similarly, cleansing each night will remove oil that has collected on your skin under your mask during the day, preventing your pores becoming congested. The key thing to remember is to not over-cleanse, as this can cause the skin to become dry and irritated, so stick to twice a day.
If you have oily skin, we recommend No7 Radiant Results Purifying Foaming Cleanser. It provides a deep, nourishing clean that unclogs pores and leaves skin feeling firm. If you’re prone to dry skin, try No7 Radiant Results Nourishing Melting Gel Cleanser. It removes impurities and pollutants while hydrating skin and helping it to retain moisture levels.
Exfoliate
Wearing a mask for long periods of time each day can cause friction on the skin, which creates micro-tears on the skin’s protective barrier, and provides an open door for dirt and oil to clog pores. Exfoliating can help remove excess oil from the skin’s surface, which helps reduce the appearance of clogged pores. Exfoliating also removes dead skin cells from the surface, paving the way for new, healthier cells to appear and improving skin’s radiance.
After long periods of mask wearing, using products with rough textures and harsh abrasives can result in further damage to the skin. We recommend opting for a gentle exfoliator such as No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum Activating Pads, which are formulated for daily use, and they’re kind to sensitive skin. These fast-acting pads exfoliate to unclog pores and remove dead skin cells, helping revive dull skin and leave skin feeling soft and smooth.
Moisturize
Due to the friction between your face and your mask, your skin will naturally release water to the surface in order to minimize the risk of micro-tears. This will then lead to a loss of moisture, which in turn results in dry skin. Applying a moisturizer keeps the skin hydrated, while also providing it with a protective barrier against dirt and bacteria that can cause maskne.
Keep in mind that the warmth created underneath your mask may cause your pores to open, and therefore it's best to avoid oil-based moisturizers so that your pores don’t become congested. Instead, opt for a water-based solution such as No7 HydraLuminous Water Surge Gel. It contains our HydraDrench complex to hydrate skin for up to 72 hours, whilst also providing a protective antioxidant blend of Vitamin C, Mulberry and Vitamin E to keep skin healthy.
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