Even if wearing a mask is essential to protect yourself from the coronavirus, the latter can upset the skin balance. Zoom on its effects on the skin and the tips to adopt to preserve it.
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Since the beginning of 2020, France has experienced an unprecedented health crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. After a long quarantine period, the country began the first stage of deconfinement on May 11. From now on, most outings outside or in public places must be accompanied by the wearing of a mask. A first for most French people who have never used to go out with their faces covered, unlike the inhabitants of Asian countries.
If the wearing of the mask is essential to preserve your health as well as that of the people around you, it turns out that it may cause some upheavals in the skin.
Can wearing a mask cause pimples to appear?
To answer this question, we interviewed Jade Frucot, a biotechnology engineer specializing in the metabolism of skin tissue, at the head of the R&D department of the Evoleum brand.
Imperfections due to excess sebum
When wearing a mask for a certain period of friction and areas of increased pressure are observed on the top of the nose and cheeks, the chin and behind the ears. To defend itself against these attacks, the skin will produce collagen to resist pressure (which can be positive) but also sebum to fight against the drying of the skin, linked to friction. This excess sebum can lead toappearance of blackheads and acne pimples.
Imperfections due to perspiration
The role of the mask is to be airtight since it filters the air. Thus it retains the humidity and the droplets emitted during our breathing, hence its interest in preventing Covid-19 contamination. You should know that the expired air is 10 times more charged with water than the air we breathe.
This humidity is then retained by wearing the mask, resulting in maceration of the skin. Asphyxiated, the pores become blocked and can lead to the appearance of acne pimples or the aggravation of existing acne.
How to prevent the appearance of pimples?
The choice of mask
The choice of mask is essential. Their material as well as their making can also have an influence. Some masks sometimes have visible staples that accelerate the irritation associated with friction. The choice of fabric is also important because synthetic materials often dyed from chemicals can cause itching and more irritation.
It is therefore necessary to favor breathable materials such as cotton, organic and ethical preferences and avoid synthetic materials such as polyester. Choose masks made in France. It’s good for your skin, for our beautiful country and for the environment!
Impeccable hygiene
Skin hygiene is also essential. It is, for example, preferable to avoid covering foundations when wearing the mask so as not to increase the asphyxiating effect of the latter. Cleansing your skin in the evening remains essential with or without the mask.
- For dry and fragile skin
The use of fatty substances like a nourishing cream or vegetable oils and butter is a plus to limit friction and reduce irritation and redness.
It is preferable to favor lotions enriched with antioxidants which will strengthen the skin without further greasing it.
They are more prone to irritation, redness and itching. It is therefore important to provide fatty acids, vitamins and minerals and active ingredients that strengthen skin hydration. Providing oral nutrients can strengthen the skin.
For this type of skin who are likely to see a worsening of their acne or the appearance of blackheads, it is important to provide antioxidants orally to boost the skin’s defenses and reduce redness.
A suitable routine
As soon as possible, remove your mask, taking care not to touch your face. This helps limit the effects of maceration on the skin. Remember to wash your hands thoroughly before using it or to provide a second mask to replace it. In addition, a healthy lifestyle supplemented with regular physical activity can help cleanse the skin from the inside.
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