I hate to say this is our new normal but here we are 😷 Like it or not, face masks are a part of our everyday life and probably will be for some time. Gone are the days (hopefully temporarily) when I was putting on makeup to head out the door. Now I have to add “grab my face mask” to my list as I’m headed out.
And speaking of makeup?! HA! Not only does a mask make wearing makeup challenging and uncomfortable, but I’m also a fresh postpartum mom of 2 now….so get. real. My vanity is slowing collecting dust at this point.
Wearing a face mask day in and day out can really do a number on your skin. Chapped lips, skin irritation and sweat, MASKNE 😩 …it’s not pretty my friend.
So if you are like me, it might be time to switch gears and focus on some extra skin care for the time being. Fortunately, I don’t have to wear a mask every day because I stay at home with my kids and usually don’t have to run errands in person every day. However, I know there are others who work every day and have to wear a mask for hours at a time. That can cause some serious wear and tear on your skin and face.
So I’ve put together a list of the best skin care tips when you wear a face mask all day. These tips and tricks will help protect your skin from breaking out and getting irritated. Plus I mention some great skincare products and will link them so you have some affordable recommendations if you don’t know where to start.
Take care of your skin now! The longer you wait to prioritize your skincare, the less likely you will be able to reverse or prevent permanent aging and degenerative side effects.
THE BEST SKIN CARE TIPS WHEN YOU WEAR A FACE MASK ALL DAY
// WASH YOUR FACE
I’m always, always, always shocked at the amount of people who don’t wash their face on a regular basis. It’s basic hygiene 101 people. Your face is a dirt magnet and things can get nasty. Besides the oils that build up naturally, add in makeup, oils from your hands, food, elements, etc. and that’s a recipe for breakouts. Use a gentle cleanser to wash your face every night before you go to bed at the very least. After a full day of mask-wearing, it’s good to allow your skin to breathe while you sleep.
>> this is a great everyday gentle cleanser for most skin types
// EXFOLIATE
With all the buildup on your face, even washing it every day doesn’t get rid of the dead skin and layers of dirt and oils. If your skin can tolerate it, I highly recommend gently exfoliating once a week to really scrub and rejuvenate the top layer of skin leaving it fresh and clean.
// USE GENTLE PRODUCTS
Have you noticed my key word so far is gentle?! Your face skin can be very sensitive to products and wear and tear. Plus wearing a mask is added abrasion and irritation it’s not used to. The last thing you want to do is use a harsh product or scrub your face with a heavy hand which will most likely make it even more irritated. Start small and soft with products and application techniques.
// WASH YOUR MASK
Only if you have a reusable mask that can go in the wash (obvi). Make sure to wash that thing ALL. THE. TIME. Makeup, dirt, and oils will build up on your mask too and can re-contaminate the skin you are trying so hard to take care of causing breakouts and irritation. Best to have a few quality masks on hand so you can rotate them as you wash without having to go without one.
// KEEP TOOLS CLEAN
Outside of keeping your mask clean, make sure to keep your other face tools clean such as an electric cleansing brush, makeup brushes and sponges, reuseable things like towels, washcloths and makeup remover cloths, and your hands! These are all ways dirt and bacteria can be transferred and cross-contaminated. Wash and switch out these items very regularly.
// GO FRAGRANCE-FREE
This is a great tip for any skin type – when you are picking skincare products, try and opt for fragrance-free products when possible. Added fragrance in products can sometimes be irritating to the skin. Choosing fragrance-free is an easy way to ensure your skin won’t suffer any unnecessary sensitivities.
**This goes for your laundry detergent too! If you wash your mask in the laundry, opt for a laundry detergent that’s fragrance and dye-free since you are washing things that will go on your face. Elimination of potential irritants is key especially if you have sensitive skin!
// STEP UP YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE
Do you have a skincare routine in place? If not, this would be a great time to start one. A simple morning and evening skincare routine can do wonders to help revitalize your skin and keep it looking it’s best for years and years to come.
If you already have a routine in place that works for you, good job!! Wearing a mask all day may require you to adjust your routine slightly if breakouts arise and irritation starts to flare up. Don’t be afraid to try new products and switch things up a little to meet your skin’s current needs.
>> here is a guide on how to start a skincare routine if you don’t have one in place
// MASKING
**Masking as in using a skincare face mask not wearing a face covering** Adding in a face mask to your skincare routine might be a great extra step for your skin. There are tons and tons and tons of different face masks to choose from depending on your skin type, concerns or needs. They are great to use at night or on a day when you don’t have to wear a mask and your skin gets a break.
>>check out this post for some of my favorite affordable masks under $15!
// NO FACE MAKEUP
Since masks cover most of the lower half of your face, maybe opt for no face makeup at all! The less you have sitting on your skin, the less likely breakouts and irritation will occur. Focus on eye makeup instead and get creative to keep makeup-wearing fun and something that makes you happy. Or if you really want to wear face makeup, try only wearing it on certain days or wearing lighter base products like tinted moisturizer or bb cream.
// SPOT TREAT
Dealing with breakouts along your mask line? When acne and irritation is isolated to a specific area, try and spot treat versus rubbing something all over your face This can cause your clear skin on the other parts of your face to flare up because you are putting something on that it doesn’t need.
// MASK MATERAL
Take into consideration your mask material because not all are created equal. Disposable masks can sometimes be scratchy and irritating to wear for longer periods of time. Switching to a fabric mask that’s washable might be better for longer days.
// DOUBLE MASK
Speaking of mask material – if you are required to wear a disposable or medical mask where the material is abrasive, maybe double masking is the way to go to protect your skin. Wear a more comfortable mask directly on your face touching your skin then layer the more uncomfortable one on top (on the outside). It might not be ideal but if you have to wear a mask, you might as well be as comfortable as you can.
// SEE A DERMATOLOGIST
Do you have some problem areas that you just can’t seem to figure out with products and regimens? Schedule an appt with a dermatologist! They can be a wealth of information because they specialize in skin (duh!) They can help you pinpoint what’s causing issues, provide product recommendations, shed light on ingredients to include or avoid when it comes to skincare and provide additional treatment options.
// STAY HYDRATED
Your skin loves water and drinking lots of it will help keep it clear and hydrated. Dehydrated skin is cracked, itchy, dry, scaley and all of that is a recipe for irritation when you add in a mask on top of it.
I hope you found these tips and tricks helpful if you wear a mask all day and are searching for some ways to keep your skin looking great! If you have a trick or hack that might help someone else, leave a comment 💜
Some of the links included in this post are affiliate links. View my full disclosure policy for more details.
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