Daily advice
It can be quite a trial wearing a mask when you have sensitive skin. By the rubbing and pollution that come with wearing a mask, your skin can become even more sensitive. We explain how to clean your irritated skin.
The covid-19 pandemic has changed everything in our lives, at work, in our social circles and our habits. All over the planet, wearing a mask is now part of daily life and is the best way to avoid being infected. However, even if wearing a mask every day is an absolute necessity, there is nothing pleasant about it – even less when you have sensitive skin. Even without a mask, sensitive skin tends to easily react to everything: irritation, pollution, allergens, cosmetics, cold, heat, wind… Quickly tingling, discomfort, pulling, itching or burning appear, sometimes redness. Wearing a mask for long periods of time can aggravate the situation. "A face mask makes my face red… My face mask burns my skin… I can’t stand the irritation caused by my surgical mask." Many people with sensitive skin complain about the side effects of surgical or fabric masks.
Sensitive skin suffers more than other skin types from wearing a mask, with all the usual signs of irritation: tingling, itching, pulling, general discomfort and even redness.
Sensitive skin will be irritated by masks, with two types of consequences.
Cleansing your face is even more important when wearing a mask. But not in any old way…
Weakened by irritations tied to wearing a face mask, sensitive skin should be cleansed with gentle formulas. Avoid rubbing at all costs, which can inflame the skin barrier even more. But a cleanser must also remove all traces of pollution and impurities that accumulate on the skin’s surface. The real challenge is finding the perfect balance between respect for the skin barrier and cleansing efficacy.
It’s out of the question to cleanse too much or be insistent with make-up removal. Mornings and evenings are sufficient, otherwise it will simply aggravate the skin even more. Hygiene should be methodical, with no rubbing and without using products that strip or are too irritating.
Dr Michèle Sayag, Allergist
Micellar water that needs no rinsing is more than ever sensitive skin’s greatest ally – even more so with masks, explains Professor Brigitte Dreno, Dermatologist at the Head of Department of Dermatology CHU Nantes (France).
"Compared to soap or cleansing milk, micellar water provides a balance between water and oil with phospholipids. The pollutant particles stick to these micelles and are then carried by the water and transferred to the cotton pad.
In other words, it eliminates all particles of pollution and removes all make-up on the skin without needing to rinse, while respecting the microbiome and the barrier function. The more irritating side effects of wearing a face mask are therefore lessened by the moisturisation supplied by water (feeling of freshness) and the oil that strengthens the barrier function."
Micellar water makes it possible to better limit the irritating effects of wearing a face mask.
Brigitte Dreno, Dermatologist, Head of Department of Dermatology CHU Nantes (France)
BIODERMA star product for sensitive skin, the world’s first micellar water remains a reference. Sensibio H2O gently cleanses the face and eyes.
What should you do if your face mask makes your skin burn? If you have dry skin behind your ears after wearing a mask? Can a mask cause an allergic reaction? How do you reduce redness caused by wearing a mask?
Here are a few ideas to make wearing a mask easier for those with sensitive skin.
1. Vary the types of mask that you use to restrict localised irritations: a traditional surgical mask, a fabric mask with elastics behind your ears, masks that you tie at the back of your head… Make sure your mask isn’t too tight so that friction points are kept to a minimum. Choose masks without many colours, which reduces potential allergens.
2. Don’t wear a mask that has become moist. Take it off after a conversation or perspiring.
3. Don’t forget to change and wash your mask regularly, in keeping with official recommendations, and even more often if you feel the need, to avoid having your skin in contact over a long period of time with particles pollution. Use a hypoallergenic detergent and wash at 60°C.
4. Wait at least twenty minutes after applying your moisturising cream in the morning to put your mask on.
5. Try not wearing make-up under your mask.
6. Take off your mask when the risk of infection is low or non-existent, for example when you are at home or in your car.
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