“Accessories are important and becoming more and more important every day.”
When Giorgio Armani said those words, he probably didn’t foresee face coverings as a daily fashion statement. Nevertheless, here we are, masking up before we leave our homes every single day. As an essential layer of protection, face masks are terrific, but unfortunately, they can also irritate your skin, clog pores, and flare acne. So, what can you do? We have a few simple tips to keep skin healthy while you tackle the day from behind a mask.
Not Just Any Mask
When selecting a reusable mask, imagine you are shopping for lingerie. Really! Look for skin-friendly fabric, a shape that fits well, and a style that fits your personality. Material matters, not only does it affect how well it protects, but also how your skin responds to being undercover. Avoid synthetics like nylon, polyester, and rayon because they are more likely to irritate your skin and cause breakouts.
Explore tightly woven natural fibers because they outperform synthetics in every category - protection, comfort, and skin health. Our favorites are cotton, bamboo, and silk. Silk buffers even the most sensitive skin, with the added benefit of being antimicrobial and antibacterial to protect against breakouts. Regardless of the natural material you choose, go for multiple layers that fit tightly on the nose and chin.
Don’t forget to regularly care for your mask, just as you would your lingerie. Dirt and oil from your skin plus bacteria from your mouth and nose will end up on the mask, so wash it after every use. Having a few masks on hand makes daily rotation easy. Choose a fragrance-free laundry detergent and dry flat for best results.
Cleanse your skin: Cleansing is such an essential step in your healthy skincare routines, but now more than ever. Before putting on a mask, always be sure that deeply cleanse your face to prevent dirt and oil from getting trapped. Choose a cleanser that removes surface impurities without stripping, drying, or irritating.
- L’Essentials Cleansing Gelée is oil-free and great for all skin types, lifting every trace of dirt while delivering functional lipids to keep skin balanced.
Build your barrier: Your skin barrier (outermost layer of your skin) is your first and best line of defense against outside aggressors, be it bacteria or irritation. Keeping it strong and healthy is vital for radiant skin.
- Serum Absolute Recovery has been designed to reset the skin microbiome, support the reduction of blemishes, hormonal breakouts, redness, and inflammation that lead to aging, and make skin healthier and more resilient.
- Alpine Rose Resilience Masque has been designed to strengthen skin suffering from redness, irritation, or relieve the fatigue caused by everyday environmental stressors.
Hydrate and don’t forget the SPF: Properly hydrating skin is the best way to prevent irritation. A light moisturizer, preferably with hyaluronic acid, will create a comfortable and effective barrier. Avoid heavy moisturizers that can clog skin leading to breakouts.
- Force De Vie Pure Oxygen Lotion is lightweight but thoroughly hydrates and slows moisture loss. And, believe it or not, UV rays can penetrate your mask. Apply sunscreen as usual to block damaging UVA/UVB rays and to help minimize signs of premature aging.
Take a Makeup Break: Masks act like occlusive barriers, trapping makeup, which can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. Play it safe, forego the makeup on days when you’ll be wearing a mask for extended periods.
Self-Assessment & Expertise: Throughout the day, remove your mask as often as possible, provided it’s safe to do so. Once the mask comes off for the day, cleanse right away and assess the condition of your skin. As you begin to notice the ways wearing a mask is affecting your skin, you may need to change up your regular evening regimen.
Learn with Luzern: If you need help designing a new program, our concierge team can help you achieve a healthier, more beautiful complexion. Answer a few simple questions, and our Luzern concierge will reach out to you within one business day via email to schedule a phone consultation. Consultations last 15 - 20 minutes, and in the end, you will receive a fully customized Luzern regimen for your reference.