Wearing tight fitting masks can cause skin irritation. Every breath can emit bacteria into your face mask. Your mask can trap oil, sweat and bacteria resulting in breakouts. You may also get contact dermatitis from the metal and/or rubber parts of masks. Lastly, some fabrics may release irritants (i.e., dyes).
The perfect solution to treat common skin irritations from wearing a mask are:
- consider the type of mask you wear
- remember 100% cotton allows your skin to breathe
- wash your mask frequently so you won't reapply all of that oil, sweat and dirt to your face.
Consider wearing a mask as a good reason to adopt a basic skin care routine: a gentle cleanser, a mild astringent to control bacteria and a light, fragrance-free moisturizer.