The continuous use of face masks has given rise to a host of skin issues. With ‘maskne’ becoming a leading concern among many face mask wearers to complaints about dull and stressed skin flooding Google searches — one thing is clear, your skin is crying out for help under that mask.
One of the primary reasons why your skin is not able to keep up with mask-wearing is because your skincare routine is not adapted for it. Yes, from smudged sunblocks to moisturisers turning greasy under a mask, a regular skincare routine just won’t be able to cut it. Instead, what you need are a few tips to make your routine a tad more mask-friendly, and luckily for you, we’ve listed them down below.
- Cleanse gently but thoroughly
- Do a regular skin detox
- Use a lightweight moisturiser
- Use a nourishing sheet mask
- Don’t forget the sunblock
Cleanse gently but thoroughly
It is necessary to wear your face mask on a clean face in the morning but avoid going overboard with the cleanser as it can impact your skin adversely. Harsh cleansers strip your skin of natural oils and moisture. Instead, we recommend you use a gentle cleanser and spend at least 60 seconds massaging your face with it to cleanse it properly.
BB picks: Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser
Do a regular skin detox
The skin under your mask gets cut off from fresh air for hours on end, which can lead to pore clogging with oil and sweat. Your pores need to be detoxed more often when wearing masks to ensure they remain clear and healthy. Use a clay mask (kaolin or bentonite) 2-3 times a week for oily skin and 1-2 times for dry skin to keep your pores happy!
BB picks: Lakmé Absolute Perfect Radiance Mineral Clay Mask
Use a lightweight moisturiser
There is no point in loading up on a thick moisturiser, only for it to smudge and get wiped off under the mask in a matter of minutes! Use a lightweight formula that quickly absorbs into your skin and keeps it hydrated for long hours. Look for moisturising ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, glycerin, panthenol and aloe vera while picking a moisturiser under your face mask.
BB picks: Simple Kind To Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser
Use a nourishing sheet mask
Long hours of mask-wearing can leave the skin dry and dehydrated. Using a sheet mask at the end of a long day is a great way to deal with this problem. In addition to your CTM routine, use a nourishing sheet mask to soothe dry skin. Keep your sheet masks in the fridge and plop them on for 15-20 minutes before bedtime to keep your skin nourished through the night.
BB picks: Pond’s Nourishing Sheet Mask With Vitamin E And 100% Natural
Don’t forget the sunblock
You don’t want to walk out of the pandemic with a forehead that doesn’t match the rest of your face, do you? That’s why it’s necessary to wear sunblock while wearing a face mask as well! If your current sunscreen feels too heavy and greasy under a mask, switch to a gel-based or watery lotion formula so that you don’t feel tempted to skip it entirely. Apply it at least 30 minutes before wearing your mask so that it has time to absorb into your skin.
BB picks: Lakmé Sun Expert Ultra Matte Gel Sunscreen SPF 50
Written by Sumona Bose on Jun 14, 2021
Sumona Bose is a writer, skincare junkie and a self-professed makeup connoisseur. Equipped with a Master's degree in Fashion Management and over 3 years of experience writing in the beauty and fashion space, her passion for learning new things has no bounds. Working closely with dermatologists, beauty excerpts, makeup artists and hairstylists, she brings you the best of all things beauty. From trending skincare ingredients to makeup looks that help you slay, she manages to bring something new (and vital!) to our readers every single time. Her hobbies include home workouts, watching foreign films and binge-watching makeover shows!