These days, facial masks are not just an “It” accessory; they’ve become mandatory components of our day-to-day looks, providing protection not just for ourselves but for the people around us. Unfortunately, regular mask-wearing can cause damage to the skin as the prolonged occlusion and friction can lead to irritation, redness, and even breakouts.
The good news: You can save yourself from these unwanted side effects with the help of these skincare tips.
Tip #1: Make Sure Skin is Fresh and Clean Before Wearing Your Mask
It’s important to properly cleanse your face before heading out and donning your facial mask. By ensuring skin is thoroughly washed, you prevent the formation of “maskne” or breakouts on your cheeks and jaw. Here’s why: When skin is covered, heat and humidity get trapped inside, making the area a natural breeding ground for bacteria. Now, the last thing you want is for all of that to meet oily or dirty skin!
The best facial wash for extra protection usually targets pimples and helps manage oily or acne-prone skin. One example is POND'S Acne Clear Facial Wash. It fights 99.9% of pimple-causing bacteria, eliminating acne at the root.
Tip #2: Don’t Forget About Skin Hydration
Moisturizing creams work by trapping moisture in your skin and keeping it there, which means your skin won’t be working overtime to produce more oil to combat dryness. And we all know that the less oil you have on your face, the less likely you are to break out.
That said, make sure you moisturize before you wear your mask as well as at night before you sleep. If you have dry skin, a good daily moisturizer, like POND'S Age Miracle Day Cream, can also prevent chafing from the facial mask and prevent irritation. In case you experience dryness or redness around your ear area due to the mask’s string, apply Vaseline Petroleum Jelly to the troubled area as a skin repair solution.
Tip #3: Go Easy on the Makeup—or Skip It Altogether!
It’s totally acceptable to still want to look good even behind all your protective gear. But piling on foundation, blush, and highlighter under your mask can be a recipe for disaster especially on a hot day. Remember, your skin needs to breathe, and all those layers aren’t exactly helping in that department. In fact, it only increases your risk for breakouts as your pores get clogged up.
For now, think less is more. Stick to lightweight formulas, like BB creams and powder makeup, and skip the heavy contouring. Your skin will thank you.
Tip #4: Double-Cleanse at Night for a Serious Clean
By the time you get home, it’s very likely that your face has accumulated a lot of oil, dead skin, and bacteria throughout the day. Your priority is to get them all off from your skin.
Wash your face, but don’t stop there! Use a toner afterwards to sweep away any remaining residue. Alternatively, you can use a cleansing oil or micellar water before you wash. For good measure, make sure to exfoliate twice or thrice a week with a deep-cleansing scrub, like POND'S Clear Solutions Facial Foam.
Like it or hate it, wearing facial masks offers protective benefits that outweigh the discomforts as well as the occasional maskne. To avoid any unnecessary skin damage or issues, though, the key is to take better care of our skin by stepping up our routines and adapting healthier skin habits.