: a n i Ram
ASK NURSE RAMINA
HOW TO DEAL WITH
MASK-NE BY: RAMINA ASHFAQUE, RN
Since masks are now part of our daily outfit, how do we keep our skin fresh and acne free?
I
T IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC wears cloth masks, which are intended to trap the droplets that are released when the wearer talks, sneezes, or coughs. But what’ happening underneath? Well, our masks can cause irritation from the continuous friction which can cause our skin to breakdown. When we’re breathing under these tightly fitted masks, our breath that’s trapped beneath makes our skin warm and moist which can cause our pores to get clogged, and then boom, pimples. So, how do we combat this problem? First things first, your skin care routine. You should be using a fragrance free gentle cleanser (I like the Vanicream gentle facial cleanser) and a good moisturizer with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid ( I use the CeraVe moisturizer, and the Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Dew Drops) which helps promote skin cell regeneration by extra hydration and barrier protection to the skin. At night I also like to add BioOil to the mix, which keeps skin soft and smooth while enhancing recovery from damage to the skin barrier. Unfortunately, makeup is one of the biggest causes of mask-ne. The trapped makeup underneath our masks lead to clogged pores and breakouts. So if you are having this issue, it is recommended to avoid makeup where possible. Oftentimes people are wearing the same mask over and over again, which can cause more acne, so you should keep a rotation of masks and wash them after every use with a gentle fragrance free detergent. Because of the Pandemic, we are probably going to be wearing masks for a long time. The right skin care routine can help lessen mask-ne!
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| FEBRUARY 2021
