While the wearing of face masks helps protect us and those around us, some of us may have found that this new everyday essential can cause unpleasant breakouts known as ‘mask-ne’. Here are some skincare must haves that may help us stay safe while also keeping our skin fresh and clean.
What is Mask-ne?
The new normal has caused every one of us to have to wear face masks regularly and these face masks create friction and pressure which irritates tiny little hair follicles found on our face and result in an acne flare.
Moisture, courtesy of our face mask fabric and Singapore’s humid weather, can also create the perfect environment for clogged pores and for bacteria to grow in our skin, leading to more frequent and aggressive acne flare-ups.
While there is no way to get around wearing a face mask in these uncertain times, we can make a few adjustments to our skincare routine to combat mask breakouts, soothe irritation, and stop this vicious mask-ne cycle.
Wash Face Thoroughly Before And After Using A Face Mask
Ridding the skin of oil, dirt, and bacteria before and after wearing a face mask is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of mask-related acne breakouts. That said, it is crucial not to over cleanse our face! Fresh and Kiehls’ are our picks for gentle yet effective cleansers as they’re formulated to not strip natural oils.
Fresh’s best-selling Soy Face Cleanser works magically to melt away daily makeup residue, remove impurities and also tone for clean and balanced skin. Unlike other makeup removers, we love how gentle this 3-in-1 face wash is as it removes all these impurities on your skin without the sting! This product can prove to be very beneficial for sensitive skin or skin that is already irritated by the frequent abrasion from face masks. Fresh, ION Orchard #B3-45-47.
Formulated with the power of Calendula to soothe and improve skin, Kiehl’s classic Calendula range is designed for sensitive skin. Kiehl’s Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash is soap free and paraben free, helping the product to lift away impurities, dirt, and oil without stripping the natural oils on our skin.
The Calendula Herbal-Extract Alcohol-Free Toner is also formulated with select herbal extracts to gently cleanse, soothe and refresh the skin without the use of alcohol or harsh synthetic drying agents. Kiehl’s, ION Orchard #B3-54.
Focus On Skin Barrier Health
Mask-induced friction can not only break down the microscopic barrier that hydrates our skin and protects it against bacteria, but also lead to clogged pores. We recommend using products that have specific ingredients such as vitamins and antioxidants for delicate and sensitive skin, promoting and optimizing a healthy barrier to protect our skin.
Formulated to support the skin barrier function, LANEIGE’s Water Bank Moisture Essence helps to keep the skin hydrated. A moisturising serum enriched with the green mineral water from vegetables, this serum is designed to help fortify the crucial skin barrier to promote healthy and moisturised skin. LANEIGE, ION Orchard #B3-53.
For those of us with more acne-prone skin, consider adding Skin Inc’s Vitamin B3+ Serum to our skincare routine. This serum is enriched with ingredients such as Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, and Pantheno that are clinically proven to be effective against temperamental skin, blemishes and enlarged pores while also working to strengthen the skin’s barrier. Skin Inc, ION Orchard #B3-43.
Avoid Using Heavy Creams Or Skincare Products
Using heavy creams, moisturisers or sunscreens can worsen the congestion of pores and lead to increased oil production and acne breakouts. This makes matters worse when these heavy products are combined with sweat that is caused by the regular usage of masks under Singapore’s humid weather, further trapping bacteria in our pores and creating the perfect storm for acne. We’d recommend going for skin care products that are lighter on our skin instead.
Light and soothing, L’OCCITANE’s Shea Butter Face Comforting Mist is an excellent alternative for heavy-duty moisturisers. Besides helping us feel refreshed, this alcohol-free face mist is light and enriched with shea butter that helps moisturise and soothe skin. What’s more, it can be used throughout the day either as a prep step or as a finishing step in our routine! L’OCCITANE, ION Orchard #B2-39.
When it comes to makeup, we suggest opting for a lighter foundation that will allow our skin to breathe. Available at Sephora, IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream provides breakout-friendly SPF protection, while hydrating our skin and diffusing the appearance of imperfections.
Infused with hydrolysed collagen, peptides, niacin, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants and vitamins, this multitasking makeup product might just become our must-have for maskne-safe instant cover-up that leaves our skin looking effortlessly flawless. Sephora, ION Orchard #B2-09.
Moisturise And Sooth Skin With A Sheet Mask
Masking up may seem like the last thing to do after being in a face mask all day! However, sheet masks are an effective way to help feed and replenish our skin with an immediate boost of vitamins and moisture. After a long day of being exposed to the bacteria and dirt from the outside world, these sheet masks can also help to sooth and detoxify our skin
Our last pick for our skin care must haves to combat mask-ne would have to be Sulwhasoo’s First Care Activating Mask. Designed to help improve skin balance, this balancing care mask helps sooth and clear skin texture with their Micro Net Radiance Sheet that is generously soaked in the JAUM balancing complex.
Providing just enough moisture for a soft and glowing look, this is also a great way to pamper ourselves on the days where oour work gets particularly stressful for some much needed me-time! Sulwhasoo, ION Orchard #B2-02.
In order to stay safe while still having flawless skin, be sure to check out our recommendations from ION Orchard!
Address: 2 Orchard Turn ION Orchard, 238801 | Click HERE for more shopping tips and picks from ION Orchard!
Opening Hours: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm (Monday to Sunday)
