Wearing a fabric mask or face covering is now a must, but that doesn't mean we're willing to sacrifice our skin and put up with the inevitable 'maskne'. Friction-induced irritation, acne and eczema? It's a 'cheers, but no thanks' from us.
Which is why we turned to the doctors, dermatologists and fabric specialists to give you the expert lowdown on how to wear a fabric mask and keep your skin looking seriously flawless.
Wearing A Fabric Mask - The Expert Dos And Don'ts
- Wash your hands thoroughly before donning your mask.
- Stick to unscented or fragrance-free cleansers. If your skin is oily/acne-prone then go for a foaming cleanser, if it's dry/irritated/sensitive then opt for a cream cleanser and ensure you stick to cleansing twice daily.
- Moisturise your skin after cleansing to keep the skin hydrated, prevent water loss and improve the barrier function of the skin.
- Avoid physical scrubs or exfoliators which can further damage the skin surface if your skin is becoming dry or irritated as a result of wearing a mask.
- Consider using barrier creams or petrolatum jelly as an occlusive to cover up broken areas of skin overnight.
- Avoid wearing heavy make-up or foundation underneath the mask as it may have the potential to lead to spots/acne.
ELLE Top Tip: Although cleaning your skin is important, don't be tempted to over cleanse. This can lead to dryness, irritation, and redness. If you feel you have to wash your face more than twice a day, try a gentle cream cleanser.
Where To Buy Face Masks: 35 Best Cotton Face Masks To Be Safe and Stylish
More Joy Face Covering
John Lewis & Partners Adult Face Coverings, Pack of 3, Assorted
These simple face masks are perfect to keep in various pockets and handbags so you're never caught without one.
Add floral fancy to your favourite ensemble with this soft cotton face mask.
Pack of 3 Great British Designer Face Coverings
Ahluwalia, Marques'Almeida & Preen by Thornton Bregazzi
£15.00
We love everything Ahluwalia, masks and all.
Printed Recycled Silk-Crepe Face Mask
Off-White Logo stretch-jersey mask
Oversized masks add serious drama to any ensemble.
Face Covering Satin Print Green
Set of 5 Assorted Upcycled Tana Lawn™ Cotton Face Coverings
Liberty
£45.00
Nothing beats a Liberty print, and with this set you get more for your money's worth with five different masks.
Van Buck England Birds Of Paradise Face Covering / Mask Made with Liberty Fabric
Gift this to your funkiest friends, you won't be sorry.
Simple yet effective, these are all you need to get you through the coming months.
This mask screams simple glamour, and we need it.
Pure silk is the best way to go when conscious about skincare.
Golden Hour REVERSIBLE Sage Dream Set of 3 Silk Satin Face Mask | Sage, Champagne, Silver
£19.00
One for every silky mood, we adore this dreamy set.
Switch it up with these fun face coverings.
Anthropologie is out favourite for floral fancies.
£17.38
For the tomboy in you, a colour for every mood.
For the tech lover. This mask is the perfect gift to give.
We love the calligraphy element on this mask.
Stripes never go out of fashion.
Add flair to your ensemble with this printed number.
Add Marine Serre's iconic print to elevate any look, adjustable toggles keep it nice and snug.
Safety first.
Floral fancy.
Silky simplicity, gorgeous breathable comfort.
£30.00
Go luxe with Tory. Always one of our favourite designers.
Bee mine. Christy's cotton face covering is taking our fancy this week.
One mask for every mood, would be rude not to.
Silky silky, perfect for keeping the skin clear.
Matching never goes out of style.
How does wearing a fabric face mask affect your skin?
Between a heat wave, wearing make-up and just the simple act of breathing, it's inevitable that covering our faces with fabric on the regular isn't exactly going to be good for our skin.
'Wearing a mask around your face for prolonged periods of time leads to friction from the mask against the surface of your skin,' explains skin-focussed doctor Dr Kemi Fabusiwa.
'This increased friction irritates the skin. When you combine this irritation with sweat, heat, oil and bacteria, you have the perfect stomping ground for bacterial growth, inflammation and the development of acne.'
Yup, the dreaded 'maskne' is a totally real prospect. And, unfortunately, it's not just something to watch out for if you're already acne-prone. 'If you start noticing shallow white spots along the outline of your mask, there is a good chance that you’re experiencing "Acne mechanica" - the type of acne caused by friction from prolonged pressure of a material on the skin,' says Dr Fabusiwa.
So what skin-destroying culprits should we be keeping an eye out for?
1.Bacteria
Unfortunately for our faces, wearing a fabric mask brings with it bacteria, and we're not talking about the good gut-friendly kind.
'Bacteria grow best in warm, moist environments, making the skin underneath our face masks the prime surroundings for bacterial colonisation,' says Dr Fabusiwa. 'Bacteria can get trapped inside our pores along with sweat and oil and this leads to inflammation and the formation of spots.'
2. Humidity/Sweat
The real kicker about wearing a fabric face mask? Even breathing is bad for your skin. Yes, really. 'The moisture and vapour from breathing are trapped in the mask creating an ideal hosting for pathogens, helping them to grow out of control,' explains cosmetic dermatologist Dr Tiina Meder.
'You could be left with redness, itching, breakouts and scaling in the mid and lower part of the face.'
'It is important to take off your mask when it becomes damp or wet, so if you’re in a space where wearing one in mandatory, for a long period of time, take spares and change them regularly.'
3. Make-Up
After months of working from home with little to no reason to wear an actual outfit, we're finally going outside, and with our new excursions comes a whole new reason to put some make-up on. But, as much as we might love wearing a full face of make-up, our fabric face masks aren't so into it.
'Skip the make-up if you can (you can’t see it under the mask anyway),' advises Dr Fabusiwa. 'Any liquid products such as foundation and concealer might be contributing to blocked pores and a moist bacteria-friendly environment. As well as a moist environment, make-up pots and brushes provide another source of entry for bacteria onto your skin.'
How often should you wash your fabric face mask and with what?
To avoid bacteria build up, regularly washing your face mask is necessary. According to WHO guidelines you need to 'Wash the mask in soap or detergent, preferably with hot water, at least once a day.'
But what to wash with that won't make our face even more angry? According to experts in clothing care, Steamery, a gentle detergent is the one. 'Use a detergent especially made for people with sensitive skin, as they only contain mild ingredients that are kind to your skin as well as being free from perfume.'
3 Fabric Face Mask Skin Issues And How To Treat Them
Fabric Face Mask Skin Issue No.1 - 'Maskne'
Before the pandemic we'd never even heard the phrase 'maskne', let alone had to consider it when applying our skincare. But, thanks to a complexion-ruining combination of friction, bacteria and sweat, even those without acne-prone skin can be at risk from some surprise spots.
'We know that "maskne" occurs due to friction and irritation of the mask against the skin which is exacerbated by bacteria, sweat and oil,' says Dr Fabusiwa.
How to treat 'maskne'
- Switch up your skincare routine. Start double cleansing, making sure your pores are totally cleansed of the dirt, bacteria and impurities that have built up underneath the mask throughout the day.
- Consider using active ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, niacinamide and salicylic acid to give your skin an extra hand in fighting the acne.
- Moisturise your skin well, once the mask is taken off to protect the skin’s barrier function. Well-moisturised skin, is much more able to defend against bacteria and is less likely to become inflamed.
ELLE Edit: 'Maskne' Treatments
'Cetaphil's oily skin cleanser does the trick by properly cleansing the skin of impurities, bacteria and oil,' says Dr Kemi Fabisuwa.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar A.I. Breakout Corrector 15ml
'La Roche Posay’s Effaclar A.I, contains both salicylic acid and niacinamide and can be applied directly onto your problem areas,' says Dr Fabisuwa.
Fabric Face Mask Skin Issue No.2 - Eczema
Wearing an irritating fabric face mask everyday can be a nightmare for eczema-prone skin. But, thankfully, it's totally treatable.
How to treat eczema
According to consultant dermatologist Dr Anjali Mahto if you develop itching or an eczema type rash, you should try the following:
- Use unscented facial cleansers designed for sensitive skin.
- Make use of barrier creams overnight on any broken or macerated areas of skin as an occlusive.
- Use fragrance-free moisturisers on the rest of the skin twice daily to prevent water loss and improve the barrier function of the skin.
- Purchase some OTC eumovate cream 0.05% (mild steroid) and apply to itchy, inflamed skin twice daily for 7 days.
- If no improvement then seek medical attention as you may require prescription agents.
- Avoid harsh scrubs or chemical exfoliators if the skin is red or sensitive as this may worsen eczema. Take a break from these and retinols which may otherwise form part of your regular skincare routine whilst there is a facial rash present.
ELLE Edit: Eczema Treatments
Aquaphor Healing Ointment,Advanced Therapy Skin Protectant
Vichy Mineralizing Thermal Spa Water
Fabric Face Mask Skin Issue No.3 - Irritation/Redness
If it's not 'maskne' or eczema, chances are that wearing a fabric face mask on the regular could lead to redness and irritation. The last thing you want is to finally take off your mask to reveal a red and itchy chin. Not ideal.
How to treat irritation/redness
'The best prevention of skin irritation and “mask dermatitis” is to avoid wearing the mask for extended period of time if you’re not a health worker,' advises Dr Meder.
- Take your mask off as soon as possible and wear it only when it’s mandatory. There is no need to wear a mask when walking in the park or in streets that aren't crowded. Some people are wearing masks if they are alone in their car, this can be harmful for your skin.
- Choose skincare with anti-inflammatory and calming effects. Look for ingredients such as Green Tea, Centella Asiatica, Caledula Officinalis, Chamomile, Red Grape and Aloe Vera to help maintain skin health.
ELLE Edit: Redness/Irritation Treatment
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