Wearing a mask in the public place is one of the best things you can do right down to cut down the risk of coronavirus infection. However, wearing a mask all day long has its perils. Apart from sweating and breathing issues, it can also lead to maskne, a newly coined term to refer to the acne being caused by prolonged use of face masks. People have commonly started complaining about acne, dry skin and chapped lips. The sweat, heat and the friction created by the mask can lead to clogging of pores, promoting bacterial growth and then causing skin issues. We spoke to Dr Nivedita Dadu, a Delhi based Dermatologist to know what one can do to prevent skin-related issues caused due to masks.
Moisturiser The first thing you should do is to use the right kind of cleanser and moisturiser on your face. Dr Dadu recommends using fragrance-free mild and gentle cleaners to clean your skin. She said that after removing the mask, one should clean their face properly with cleanser and then apply moisturiser as per their skin type. "People with dry skin should go for cream-based moisturiser, for normal to combine skin lotion-based moisturiser and for oily skin gel-based moisturiser is the best," she asserted. Buy moisturiser which has ceramides and hyaluronic acid as they are hydrating and make the skin supple.
Sunscreen If you have to stay outdoors in the Sun for a long time, then do not forget to apply sunscreen. Mineral-based or physical blocker sunscreens are considered as the best of all. As per the dermatologist, these sunscreens contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide and protect your skin in a better way.
Petroleum jelly Wearing a mask for a long time can also make your lips chapped. So regularly apply petroleum jelly to make them soft. Put some petroleum jelly before putting on the mask and before bedtime.
Skip make-up Make-up can make things more complex and can increase the risk of skin-related issues. Dr Dadu said that if possible, try to avoid make-up when you have to wear the mask or just stick to eye make-up. Even if you wear make-up, make sure the products are non-comedogenic and oil-free.
Exfoliation Masking and exfoliation can make your skin dry and can lead to irritation. Use less amount of exfoliators and retinol if you have to wear a mask for a long time.
Choose the correct mask The type of mask you wear also matters when it comes to your skin health. Plenty of fancy masks are available in the market, but not all are skin-friendly. The dermatologist suggests to wear a mask made of breathable material like cotton and warns against using nylon and polyester. The mask should fit you properly and you should wash it after every use. Use warm water and hypoallergenic fragrance-free detergent to wash your mask.
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