by Angela Pohlman, Wellness Category Manager
We’re all adjusting to this new world; and it seems we will be wearing masks in public places for a while. Face mask options are blowing up; and for some of us, so is our acne.
I’ve asked some folks in our General Merchandise department for their tips* on dealing with new skin issues surrounding mask use.
Staff recommendations
Abigail: “I definitely have noticed my skin breaking out in weird places because of the mask (like under my nose and lower cheeks). I’ve been trying to not wear makeup underneath the mask (which is kinda obvious) but that has helped. I think a breathable fabric is important to the mask, like cotton. And obviously cleaning the mask everyday! (I’ve been using mild detergent, African Black Soap or Dr. Bronner’s.) Thoroughly cleaning my face after getting home and taking my mask off, and then using a toner (witch hazel or hydrosol) after has helped. I try to moisturize at night so there isn’t anything else on my skin under the mask during the day. Even taking your mask off and cleaning your face during the day might be a good idea too.”
Susan: “…massaging the muscles in your neck and jaw a few times a day to relieve any tension that might build up from holding your head differently because of the mask.”
Demeter: “I would stress the idea of using a soap that’s gentle on your skin for mask cleaning. A lot of people use a bleach solution to make sure their mask is clean, but if not rinsed out properly it can cause irritation! A soak in warm water with unscented mild soap does the trick just fine and if you have multiple masks, try and keep them in a rotation. I find that every mask has its own way of irritation whether it’s hurting around the ears or rubbing too much against my mouth. Wearing a mask every day is a huge change for everyone, so it’s totally understandable if it causes some skin problems.
“I’ve been making sure I thoroughly wash my face every night and morning and treat with a toner. Definitely witch hazel like Abigail said! Focusing more on the side of retaining moisture in my skin. I suggest a simple, virtually scent-free cream moisturizer. For my skin, if I overwash and strip away my natural oils completely, my body overcompensates and I end up with an oily face and breakouts specifically under my chin and around my nose. I spot-treat my breakouts with products that contain tea tree oil or use a dot of a clay mask to help absorb the oils.
Also, now is a great chance to decrease your makeup use! For makeup lovers like me, I’ve been doing a bolder eye look everyday and using practically nothing on my cheeks and chin. No one can tell the difference so why not give my skin the extra help!”
Laura: “I have been increasing my skin care regimen, which is basically just coconut oil. I use our Nutiva brand coconut oil. I’m not prone to break-outs on my face so I haven’t noticed much there, but the coconut oil helps keep my eczema at bay which, with my increased use of hand sanitizer, I have been having a breakout on my hand. It helps it from getting too bad, though.”
Kristi: “I use a rosewater hydrosol with rosehip oil before, after, and in between wearing my mask.”
Barbara: “I have been doing a clay mask more often than my usual weekly with good results.”
Jessica: “I noticed my skin is drier and I have more breakouts on my cheeks. I’ve been cleansing with just rosewater in the morning then combining rosewater and neem oil and patting it on my face, both in the evening and night. Additionally, at night I cleanse with facewash and add evanhealy Blue Cactus Beauty Balm to my face after the neem oil. I usually spray rosewater into my mask after washing and right before wearing.”
Sarina: “I’ve been taking the Country Life Skin Rescue in addition to Collagen and Biotin (Hair/Skin/Nails). Hydration! Hydration! Hydration! Also especially for cashiers, take a drink every time you switch gloves/clean your lane between customers. This helps make sure you’re getting plenty to drink.”
Excellent ideas from folks who are on the front lines and wearing masks all day long.
Skin care producer recommendations
I also reached out to some of our skin care vendors and representatives—here are some tips* they have shared:
Evan, Owner and Formulator of evanhealy: “As an aesthetician, I realize how integral and primary the skin is to immunity and defense. One way to protect ourselves from contracting this virus is by applying a final protective layer of Whipped Shea Butter with Olive Leaf over every other product you may be applying, including moisturizer and sun protection. Think of two finger tips of Whipped Shea Butter massaged into your skin as a suit of armor. Shea butter is considered nature’s bandage.
“A layer of our Whipped Shea Butter (in addition to the recommendations from CDC regarding protection) harnesses the protective ability of the skin to prevent ingress of microbes, virus, fungus, parasites etc, and reinforces the skin’s ability to protect and defend.
“Shea butter helps protect the skin and soothe dry, irritated and sensitive areas all over the face and body.”
Dana, Owner and Formulator of Mad Hippie: “We have actually been sending lots of skin care items out to various hospitals for hospital staff. We are hearing lots of hospital staff saying that their skin is dry and irritated from hours of mask wearing so we’ve been giving this lots of thought. Keeping skin clean and hydrated is a great protocol for keeping skin healthy with mask wearing. Cleansing well in the morning and evening is important (using the Cleansing Oil at night for a deep cleanse that is also hydrating is a good option). During the day, the Vitamin C Serum is a great option. The hyaluronic acid is hydrating without being oily and the antioxidants help reduce oxidative stress on the skin. Clogged pores are also a common complaint for mask wearers because oil and sebum can collect around the mask and clog pores. At night, following a deep cleanse, use an exfoliant to make sure that pores are clean and follow with a moisturizer. The 2 Minute Polishing Mask is a good option for a deep cleanse once or twice a week and the Exfoliating Serum at night with alpha hydroxy acids is wonderful for a nightly exfoliating treatment that is also gentle on the skin.”
Patricia, Owner and Formulator of Cress Spring Body Care: “I would recommend a good, daily exfoliation and anti-microbial moisturizer that will help your skin deal with the extra oil and build up. Some ingredients that can help are neem oil (very pungent odor though), tea tree can be useful for a small amount of time but can irritate and actually worsen skin if used too often. I love Ucuuba Butter which is antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. I also love kombo butter for the same purpose. These work with the skin to help alleviate congestion and reduce acne while nourishing and protecting the skin. Green Coffee Bean Oil is also wonderful for acne-it helps the skin detoxify. There are acid treatments that some people like and use, but I find these approaches too aggressive and can worsen symptoms by weakening the skin long term.”
Kerry De Villiers From Trilogy: here are some highlights from her article “Trilogy Festive (Summer) Season Skincare Tips*”—face masks can imitate a high heat and humid environment, so summertime tips from New Zealand are useful:
A consistent routine which includes regular exfoliation and effective hydration will help give you a beautiful healthy natural glow.
For a serious radiance boost, use a supercharged serum like Trilogy Age-Proof CoQ10 Booster Oil or Trilogy Vitamin C Booster Treatment daily for a few weeks. Think of them as an all-in-one shot of vitamins, antioxidants and nourishment.
If you’re not getting a regular amount of sleep, add an overnight face mask to your reduced sleep routine. Overnight face masks are a great way to boost the skin’s natural process of rejuvenation which occurs while you sleep.
Nighttime cleansing is essential for nutrients to absorb and nourish the skin. If you don’t cleanse your face before bed, not only do you leave on the grime from the day, clogging your pores, dulling the complexion and encouraging unwanted breakouts, you also miss out on essential skin nutrition.
Water, water, water! Increasing your water intake or drinking at least eight glasses of water a day will help rid the body and skin of toxins, help to keep skin hydrated, supple, and with more of a radiant glow!
To make tired skin look more awake, keep an eye cream in the fridge to totally cool and refresh your eye area.
So many tips! I hope you were able to find something useful in here. If you have any tips you would like to share, feel free to reach out at a.pohlman@willystreet.coop!
*not all products are available at all stores; please call before making a special trip!
