How To Prevent Breakouts When Wearing Face Masks

The common skin problems associated with wearing masks, how to avoid skin irritation and how to care for your skin.

COMMON SKIN PROBLEMS FOR DIFFERENT SKIN TYPES

Those with hyper-oily skin can also experience more frequent acne, including “clogged pores, inflamed red papules, pustules and in severe cases, nodules and cysts”.

Another issue he has noticed are pressure sores and skin tears on areas like the nose, upper cheeks and the sides of the cheeks. They can cause tenderness, crusting and wounds, which tend to resolve with dark marks and scars.

These pressure-related skin issues are common among “those who need to wear tight-fitting N95 face masks for prolonged periods of time, especially healthcare workers”.

WHY THIS SKIN IRRITATION OCCURS
When we wear a mask, we are essentially covering a large surface area of our faces with pieces of fabric, depending on the type of mask you wear.

Dr Gerard Ee, managing director of The Clifford Clinic, said: “Covering our face increases humidity and heat build-up inside the mask. This can encourage the growth of acne-causing bacteria, cause abrasions on the skin and disrupt the skin’s protective barrier.”

HOW TO MANAGE SKIN FLARE-UPS

To relieve discomfort and minimise redness, try Biologique Recherche’s Masque Biosensible as it contains soothing actives like hexapeptides and milk proteins.

Dr Ee also recommends using a light moisturiser with ingredients that helps protect the skin barrier, like ceramides and niacinamide.

If you are experiencing some form of flare-up that you cannot identify, it is best to seek the advice of a medical professional.

Source: https://www.tnp.sg/lifestyle/others/how-prevent-breakouts-when-wearing-face-masks