Wearing face coverings in shops and supermarkets has become mandatory in England since last Friday (24th July). These measures have been put in place in order to protect each other against the spread of infection (COVID-19).
Those who fail to comply with the new rules set by the government, can be refused entry into any shop and face a fine up to £100.
As these masks have become an essential part of everyday life, many people have experienced an unfortunate side-effect of acne mechanica caused by mask-wearing, aka 'Maskne'.
According to dermatologist Angeline Young, the 'constant rubbing of the masks against our skin causes micro-tears, allowing easier entry for bacteria and dirt to clog our pores'.
As talking and breathing into a mask creates a hot and moist environment it then leads to a build up of sweat, oil and bacteria. 'Add on the fact that face masks are occlusive (designed to block things) by nature and it's a recipe for skin disaster'; says Dr Yong, whose practice is based in Singapore.
One of Dr Yong's tips is to opt for a lightweight moisturiser as it can act as an additional protective barrier for your skin and prevent chafing.
If possible, wash and dry your masks completely after every use, (treat your masks like underwear, wear it once and then wash it!) If you have paper masks, it's best to avoid using the same one repeatedly.
A doctor on This Morning has advised that wearing silk masks are better than paper ones, as silk has natural anti-bacterial properties, reduces friction against the skin and are more cooling, as we all know they can become quite hot underneath.
Many people are still debating whether they should have to wear masks, whether a mask actually prevents Coronavirus or are worried about getting spots/bad skin due to constantly wearing them but I think we can all agree that we would rather have spots than leave ourselves unprotected and possibly catch Coronavirus.
Take your time to find which products will work well for your skin so you can combat 'Maskne', as wearing masks are definitely our new normal - Always remember to cleanse your face as soon as you are home.
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