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Like any body part, your skin needs nourishment and care to be at its best. Some people are born with great skin; most have to go through a care routine and multiple products to get the same results. Bad skin can be in the form of dryness, itchiness, blemishes, acne, or any number of skin diseases.

Face masks are essential for protecting yourself and those around you from Covid-19. But it has another benefit; it can relieve spring allergy symptoms. Pollen usually gets into you through the mouth and nose, so if they are covered, it has no opportunity to cause symptoms like itchy eyes, itchy nose, stuffy nose, dripping, and draining. 

A study found that surgical and N95 masks can filter allergens and prevent users from inhaling them, resulting in fewer symptoms. Although the study was for only surgical and N95 masks, researchers believe that cloth masks can also protect against allergens.

Mask brings a new concern for skincare. It covers your face and smoothers your skin. It is also in constant contact with your skin, so if it isn't comfortable, it can cause discomfort. Skin can be irritated by a face mask for various reasons, but some people aren't aware that the issue is linked to face mask use. 

The Problem of Face Masks for Faces

A face mask can cause several skin conditions, such as dry skin, acne, rash, and eczema. The masks act as a layer that covers your skin and limits the air that can get in. 

Without access to fresh air, your skin will become dry. Acne, rash, and eczema conditions can flare up quickly. The mask will be a collector of dead skin, makeup, oil, and other impurities that can harm your skin.

Face masks can cause additional issues such as:

Glasses Fogging up or Falling Off

Your glasses were a prescription or fitting made without a mask. With a mask, your glasses have an additional feature to factor in. You will need to search for glasses online sales for a new prescription fitting.

They Can Exacerbate Breathing Problems 

The nature of a mask is to limit what goes through it, which includes air. If you have breathing problems, the limited air intake may affect your comfort or health.

Overheating

On sunny days, masks can leave you feeling overheated. The mask can feel like a blanket over your nose and mouth, trapping your warm breath as you exhale.

Avoid Face Mask Skin Irritation 

Use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser to cleanse and moisturize your skin daily. Applying a layer of moisturizer will add a layer of protection and reduce the chance of your skin drying. Apply the moisturizer straight after washing your face. Try getting a moisturizer with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or dimethicone.

Dry Skin

To prevent dry lips, you can apply petroleum jelly to them. You may use petroleum jelly after washing your face, before putting on a mask, or going to bed.

Try to avoid wearing makeup under a mask. It will likely clog your pores while under a mask if you wear makeup. But if you must wear it, look for products that have the labels "non-comedogenic" or "won't clog pores."

Sensitivity 

Wearing a mask can make your skin more sensitive, even if you only wear it for a short time. Try not to irritate it by using new skincare products or routines. That includes using harsh products, such as a chemical peel, exfoliant, or retinoid, for the first time.

Picking a Soft Mask

The mask itself factors into skin irritation. Choose one that provides a snug, comfortable fit to protect you from the virus and irritate your skin. If a mask doesn't fit well, it will be sliding up and down your skin which can irritate it. 

If you use cloth masks, use one with at least two layers of fabric. The material must be soft, natural, and breathable, for example, cotton. Avoid using nylon, polyester, and rayon for the fabric touching your skin.

Let Your Skin Breath

After every four hours, find a safe place to remove your mask and give your skin a chance to breathe. Safe places to remove your mask are outside where you are more than six feet apart from others, in your car alone, or at home.

Washing your masks can remove oils, makeup, dead skin cells, and other dirt that can cause skin problems. Experts recommend that you clean your mask daily. Follow the wash instructions that come with the mask. 

Properly Washing a Mask

Unless the instructions say otherwise, you can use hot water and fragrance-free, hypoallergenic laundry detergent to wash your mask. After a wash, make sure that the mask can still fit on your face; if it is disfigured or doesn't fit properly, it won't protect you, and you should get a new one.

Protect Yourself in Comfort 

Face masks are essential for your protection against COVID-19. The discomforts you feel are a small sacrifice for your health. But there are actions you can take to improve the comfort of your face mask.