Let’s face it: It would be near impossible to go too long without leaving home even once to buy some essentials. Just don’t forget to wear a face mask when you head out—it’s a good way to keep yourself and others safe, which is one of the reasons why it’s now mandatory.
But watch out! Wearing face masks regularly can actually damage your skin and cause irritation, redness, and even breakouts. That means giving your skin some extra TLC is more important than ever. Here’s how you can level up how you take care of your skin:
Before you put your mask on, it’s important that you get your skin fresh and clean by washing your face—and remember that this is the only time you should be touching it! Washing your face helps prevent breakouts on your cheeks and jaw, the areas that your mask covers: Breathing in and out turns up the heat and humidity, making the space between your face and mask a natural breeding ground for bacteria.
The last thing you want is for all of that to meet oily or dirty skin! Keeping your face clean will do wonders. Bonus points if you’re using the right type of facial wash for your skin—if you’re prone to breakouts, for example, a wash that targets pimples like Pond’s Acne Clear might be for you.
Moisturize, girl! And be sure to do it before wearing your face mask and before you go to bed. Moisturizing creams work by trapping moisture in your skin and keeping it there. That means your skin won’t be working overtime to produce more oil to combat dryness. And the less oil you have on your face, the less likely you are to break out.
Good moisturizers (we recommend Pond’s day creams and lotions) also prevent chafing when you have to wear a mask for extended periods. And if you find that the area around your ears is red and irritated from your mask’s strings, you can also soothe it with Vaseline petroleum jelly.
We totally get it: It’s completely normal to still want to look good. But you and your skin both need to breathe, and that becomes a lot harder with a face mask pulled tight over your face. Throw in layers of foundation, blush, and concealer, and it becomes a hot mess. Literally.
Remember what we said about the space between your face and your mask? Adding makeup to the mix makes it easier for your pores to clog up, too. For now, think less is more. Stick to light powders and SPF on top of your moisturizer: your skin will thank you.
So you’re home, and by now, it’s very likely that your face has accumulated oil, dead skin, and airborne bacteria throughout the day. It’s time to get all that off your skin.
Wash your face, but don’t stop there! Use a toner afterwards to really clean everything out. Alternatively, you can use a cleansing oil or micellar water before you wash. If you’re after a deeper cleanse, you can also try exfoliating twice to thrice a week with a facial scrub that targets acne, like Pond’s Clear Solutions.
Wearing a mask outside is necessary in these times to stay healthy—and that means a little extra care to keep your face fresh and clear. Keeping that glow is worth it.
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