With the current coronavirus situation, wearing a face mask when heading out has become the new normal. Although it does help in preventing coronavirus and curbing the spread of it, wearing a mask can cause some less than desirable and uncomfortable side effects when it comes to your skin.

Face masks create a “closed-up” environment that increases the amount of moisture on your skin. The excess moisture poses no concerns if you are wearing a mask for a short period of time. But the excess moisture leads to accumulation of sweat, resulting in blocked pores, breakouts and skin irritation.

If you have a history of acne, perioral dermatitis, eczema, you may find that your condition worsening as you wear the masks for longer hours. Regardless your skin type, the best way to help your skin cope in this “new normal” period is by paying extra attention to every detail from cleansing, protecting your skin and taking care of your face masks.

Keep reading on to know how you can prevent these skin issues and find out ways to deal with them effectively!

1. Basic step to cleanse & tone

Start with a cleansing cream to remove your remaining makeup and impurities that were exposed to pollution when you were out going for a grocery run, a yoga class or a girls’ night out with your friends.

Proceed to use a toner for deeper cleanliness. A toner’s job is meant to gently refresh your skin without stripping its natural moisture. Toner prepares the skin to drink up your post-cleansing moisturizer and any other skin treatments that you may apply.

Try Sunrider’s Kandesn^® Cleansing Foam! It helps to wash away dirt and impurities without moisture loss and it’s made with the finest plant-based ingredients. It creates a soft and creamy lather which works in balance with the skin’s natural pH too.

Finally, end off your cleansing step with your toner again and you will be done with your 4-step daily cleaning routine.

2. The importance eye & face cream and sunscreen

• Apply Eye Cream in the First Step: Use your ring finger to gently touch the cream around the skin around the eyes. This is more delicate than other areas of the skin. Your ring finger is the weakest of all fingers, and hence offers the right amount of pressure for applying skin care products. The cream should be gently applied if you don’t want wrinkles.
• Apply Face Cream: Moisturiser is a must for the skin!  Even though your skin might have excess moisture from wearing a mask for pro-longed hours, it will cause irritation and lead to breakouts.
  Sunrider’s Deep Moisture Lotion is formulated with herbal extracts and natural emollient oils which helps to moisturize and nourish the skin. The age-defying ingredients support repair and renewal of skin, as well as the antioxidants which helps to protect against environmental aggressors.

• Apply Sunscreen During the Day: Protect yourself from the sun! UV rays are the main cause of free radicals. Free radicals from environmental factors like pollution, sunlight, strenuous exercise, smoking, and UV light can penetrate through the mask. Sunscreen blocks these rays, greatly reducing the likelihood of sunburn.
  
  UV radiation causes the premature breakdown of collagen and elastin in skin, resulting in fine lines and wrinkles. Therefore, you should always apply sunscreen every day, even when you are wearing a mask.

3. Hydrate your skin with facial masks

Mask your face at most twice a week to dive down deeper into the pores than regular daily cleansers. Facial masks can help draw out dirt, oil and impurities from below the skin’s surface. In addition, the nourishing substances in the mask will help your facial skin to brighten up. There are many types of masks to choose from based on your skin type:

• Clay masks are known for their “detoxifying” effects, where they draw oil and dirt from your pores and are suitable for oily skin or people with acne and large pores. Want to try out a clay mask? Consider using some of Oi-Lin^® Clay Mask. It helps to draw out impurities and toxins, absorb excess oil (good for people with oily skin) and refines the skin texture to provide clearer skin complexion.

• Cream or gel masks hydrate skin by deeply replenishing dry cells. Gel masks work similarly, and they weightlessly hydrate and cool at the same time. They are good for all skin types, though skin that’s dry, sun damaged, or sensitive might benefit the most. Try using Dr. Chen^® Youth Masque for instant hydration with lasting results. By locking in moisture, our masque softens skin and improves suppleness. And Dr. Chen^® Youth Masque goes beyond moisturization, nourishing skin with revitalizing nutrients for firmer, more resilient skin. It works wonders on all skin types and is a great choice for both men and women.

• Sheet masks are single-use strips of paper and come in fabric like cotton. The material sits on your skin to seal in the serum and moisturize your skin. Sheet masks can be used daily in place of the serum step in your skin care routine. They can also be used as a special treatment before an event or other occasions.

4. Don’t forget to clean your mask gently

Remember to wash reusable masks every day with a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic laundry detergent to decrease the chances of irritation. Simply soak your masks in mild soapy water and wash it gently. After washing, soak it with disinfectant for a few minutes before drying it out in the sun. Before wearing your masks, always check that the masks are completely dry and have no musty smell because that is what causes acne or rashes easily!