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It is very important to adhere to the 5K principles of the Ministry of Health during a complicated epidemic, proactively wearing a mask not only protects ourselves but also protects those around us. Masks are therefore an inseparable object of each person in the present.

However, when wearing a mask continuously, many of us experience skin problems such as itching, rash, peeling, acne, allergic contact dermatitis or irritation, prone skin. redness with itching in the O-zone (mask wearing area).

The reason is that when wearing a mask too much, the already sensitive facial skin is “suffocated”, sweat cannot escape easily from the pores, so the skin is easily infected. In addition, when you accidentally choose to buy poor quality masks made from bad materials, it can also be one of the causes of skin irritation and acne when wearing a mask continuously during the epidemic season. Wearing a mask for a long time during the day will cause the phenomenon of increased moisture in the surface of the epidermis, increased sebum production, increased skin pH, and increased skin temperature. In addition, the friction between the fabric of the mask and the skin surface is another factor that causes skin irritation.

To make sure you don’t have facial problems when you have to wear a mask constantly, you can refer to a few tips below:

Clean skin everyday

+ Prioritize choosing products that are gentle, fragrance-free, alcohol-free, and non-abrasive. And wash your face properly.

+ Do not over-cleanse, because it will strip away the necessary oil layers on the skin, leading to over-production of oil glands, causing acne.

+ If you want to wash your face more than 2 times a day, you should use cleanser 2 times, the rest just wash with clean water. Especially wash with clean water after wearing a mask

Moisturize skin regularly

+ Wearing a mask often makes the skin dry. Therefore, regular daily application of moisturizer is necessary, other benefits are maintaining a healthy skin barrier and reducing the disruption of the skin microbiome so that it can act as a leaf. shield against external agents

+ Should choose moisturizing products that are able to soothe, moisturize, and especially suitable for each skin type. Some moisturizing ingredients can be selected such as ceramide, hyaluronic acid, dimethicone, niacinamide, azelaic acid or other antioxidants, etc. to improve red and inflamed skin.

Limit makeup

+ Wearing a mask regularly will create a hot and humid environment, easy to clog hair follicles, heavy makeup under the mask can aggravate this situation, leading to more pimples, so it is advisable to limit make up. If makeup is necessary, choose non-comedogenic products, and wear “thin”, “mist” makeup to avoid too much makeup.

+ Should choose products labeled “non-comedogenic”, on the product often have the words “non-comedogenic” (does not contain ingredients that cause pore blockage), “non-oily” (non-greasy) or “non-acnegenic” (non-acnegenic).

Choose the right skin care products and take care of your skin properly

+ Wearing a mask every day makes the skin sensitive. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid using ingredients with peeling properties such as AHA, BHA, retinoid … because they can make our skin more sensitive. If you must use these ingredients, only use them at night and can be combined with a moisturizer during the day.

The best way to take care of your skin when wearing a mask is to be as simple as possible, with as few products as possible. Choose varieties that contain less than 10 ingredients and are free of fragrances, colorants, and preservatives.

Choose a quality mask

+ Choose a mask that fits, comfortably, covers the entire nose, cheeks and chin. Prioritize choosing soft, natural and breathable materials. For women with sensitive skin, use a mask with a soft inner lining. If the skin is oily or has acne, a mask with a cotton lining is the right choice.

Avoid using synthetic fabrics such as nylon, polyester and rayon as these ingredients can irritate the skin and cause acne. At the same time, to avoid discomfort for the ear area, choose masks with different straps and should change one type every day.

Wear a mask properly, not too tight

+ Wearing a mask according to the instructions of the Ministry of Health but not too tight, wearing a mask that is too tight will put pressure on the skin, causing discomfort.

+ Do not wear a mask continuously for more than 4 hours to limit skin problems caused by the friction between the mask layer and the skin surface. If possible, every 4 hours when wearing a mask, you should remove it for about 15 minutes to let the skin “breathe”. practice in large groups, preferably when alone

Cleaning and washing masks

Cloth masks need to be washed daily to remove dirt, sweat, odors and bacteria accumulated inside. Washing also helps remove oil and dead cells on it.

+ Follow the cleaning instructions of each mask according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

+ Prioritize washing in hot water and choose detergent products labeled fragrance-free (fragrance-free) and hypoallergenic (hypoallergenic). After washing, pay attention to check if the mask is still wearable or not.

Source: VnExpress newspaper, Tuoi Tre, Nguoi Lao Dong, information provided by doctors, dermatologists.