One of the biggest issues when it comes to caring for our skin in the ‘new normal’, especially for those prone to breakouts, is ‘maskne’ (breakouts caused by constantly wearing face masks).
If you have been suffering with dramatic skin changes over this season then here are some tips to help your skin find its balance.
Cleanse your skin twice a day
Making sure that you start and end the day with a thorough cleanse is one of the best ways to prevent breakouts. Often breakouts are caused by dirt, excess oil and dead skin cells which clog up the pores, causing those pesky raised spots.
Use a gentle (non-stripping) cleanser first thing in the morning and before you go to bed.
Check out: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser (£9.50)
AHA’s
AHA’s are your new best friend when it comes to giving you glowy, healthy skin. AHA stands for Alpha Hydroxy Acids, which might sound scary, but they’re not!
AHA’s are very gentle acids, often derived from organic sugars which help to exfoliate the skin. By using an AHA instead of a scrub, you can gently remove dead skin cells and prevent breakouts, without over stimulating the skin. There are many brands now who use AHA’s, so take a look at the product descriptions to find one to suit you. Common names for some of these AHA’s are Lactic or Glycolic acid.
Check out: Glossier Solution (£19)
Wear light makeup
Try to wear a lightweight base for your makeup if you find that your skin is breaking out when wearing a mask. If you can avoid it all together then that’s even better, you could use a little concealer around the eyes and leave the rest of your skin makeup free. If you’re really struggling then there are some foundations which are formulated specifically for acne prone skin types and often contain anti-bacterial properties.
You can also try using a toner for oily/acne skin types. These can be used throughout the day to refresh the skin, just be careful to choose one without alcohol as this can often be very drying and irritating.
Check out: Florence by Mills Like a Light Skin Tint (£18)
Fresh face masks
This may also sound obvious but making sure you’re putting on a clean face mask will help your skin a lot! If you have reusable masks then have a few freshly washed ones in your bag so that you can change them throughout the day.
If you have disposable masks then make sure to dispose of them and use a fresh one when needed.
Don’t be tempted to scrub your skin!
It can be so tempting to get a really gritty scrub and scrub away at your face when you feel like it looks dull and congested. Nothing beats that soft baby skin feeling! However, if you are suffering with breakouts, scrubbing at the skin can make it much worse.
Over stimulating the skin can trigger it to produce more sebum (oil) which can lead to more blackheads and breakouts. If you love a scrub, make sure you are really gentle when using it and keep to using it only once a week. If you are using AHA’s or chemical exfoliating products then these are much better as they exfoliate the skin without the scrubbing action.
If you have sensitive skin then make sure you do a patch test of any new products first to make sure they don’t irritate your skin even more.
These are a few tips to help you if you are struggling but regardless of how your skin is, make sure to be kind and look after yourself. There’s so much uncertainty at the moment and it’s completely normal for your skin to reflect that!
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9 NIV
