The flip side of being protected is that these masks create a warm, moist, occluded environment around the nose and mouth, coupled with the friction of mechanical movement (maceration).
Having these on at least 12 hours a day, 3-4 days a week has started to take a toll on my skin.
The whole situation leads to skin barrier breakdown– irritation, acne, sensitivity.
I did some research and wanted to share my skincare picks to treat these issues.
Cleansers
Seriously consider washing your face once (x 1) a day in the evening, to maintain your skin’s lipid layer.
These are some non-soap, gentle cleansers that minimize disruption to the skin barrier (Walters, et al., 2012) …
Avène cleanser lotion
Neutrogena hydroboost cleansing lotion
La Roche Posay Toleriane
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Balms
We want her THICKKK… think diaper rash cream-style barrier cream.
Use at night before bed. Other options: during the day before you put your mask on. (Krakowski, 2013)
Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré
La Roche Posay cicaplast
Avène cicalfate
Aquaphor 3-in-1 diaper rash cream
Zinc oxide sunscreen
Who knew that zinc oxide, found in sunscreen, actually CALMS the skin?! (Grupta, et al., 2014)
I was looking into it because I’m driving and outdoors most of the day on the ambulance and always wear SPF. *Skincare hack* products marketed for babies tend to have minimal ingredients, but watch out for fragrance.
Neutrogena Sheer Zinc
Coppertone pure & simple
Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen Tinted Face Mineral Lotion SPF 50
Lip balm
I’ve noticed this one especially, the top of my lip can rub the inside of my mask and it gets chapped and raw by the end of the day. I remember growing up, my mom would always have a far of Vaseline… well it’s great at creating a barrier on chapped lips. (Trookman, et al., 2009) I used Homeoplasmine as tattoo after care it’s great too.
Glossier Balm DotCom
Vaseline 100% petroleum jelly
Aquaphor lip repair stick
A Serum
Acaderma Barrier Boosting Serum
No-Nos…
Makeup wipes, Micellar Water, Make-up Remover
They’ll just dry out your skin, further irritating your skin
Makeup
Don’t wear it. This is going to be a difficult one for me, but I gave it more thought when I learned that the skin’s increased sensitivity could lead to new allergies developing (to certain ingredients in the makeup).
