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8 key skin care tips to protect your face from irritation

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  1. Wash your face first: Dirt and oil on your skin will get trapped under the mask and can cause breakouts. Always put your mask on over a clean face. Choose a gentle cleanser that is fragrance free and oil free. Rinse with lukewarm water, not hot. Avoid scrubbing or rubbing the skin.

  2. Apply a good moisturizer: Moisturizer keeps your skin hydrated and acts like a barrier to friction from your mask. Choose one that is fragrance free and oil free. Look for protective ingredients like ceramide and hyaluronic acid. Avoid heavy products that can clog your skin and make you break out.

  3. Skip the makeup: Don’t wear makeup underneath your mask. Masks act like occlusive barriers, which means trapped makeup can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. Also, residue from makeup can soil your mask fabric.

  4. Wear only clean masks: Dirt and oil from your skin plus bacteria from your mouth and nose will end up on your cloth mask. Keep a rotation of masks on hand and wash them after every use.

  5. Stick to fragrance free laundry detergent: When washing your mask, choose a fragrance free laundry detergent and lay flat to dry. Fragrance within fabric can be an irritant, so you definitely don’t want it on your face.

  6. Don’t reuse surgical masks: Surgical masks are not meant to be reused because there is no good way to clean them. The CDC does not recommend surgical masks for the public. But if you choose to use one, don’t use the same one twice. 

  7. Protect your ears: Elastic strap loops can cause friction burns on the backs of your ears. If your skin is sensitive or if you’ll be wearing a mask for long periods of time, there are alternatives. You can attach the straps to buttons on a headband or to a clip behind your head.

  8. Avoid harsh products: Medicated products like retinol or benzoyl peroxide are more irritating under a mask. If you’re wearing a mask a lot, either use less of them or stop using them altogether. 

    The bottom line masks are here to stay for a while. It is better to stick to a skin routine that will leave you with smooth flawless skin.