Korean Beauty Essentials and Tips to prevent Maskne problems
Posted by Gin Bui
Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, surgical masks or even N95 masks have become an essential accessory to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. But did you know that continually wearing a mask for long hours can potentially damage your skin and lead to a disease called Maskne?
“Maskne” – combination of mask and acne – is occasional breakouts and irritation along the chin, nose and cheeks caused by friction from wearing a face mask. Maskne occurs when sweat, oil and bacteria are trapped on your skin while wearing a mask, creating the perfect breeding ground for breakouts. And the good news is you don't need to choose over your health and your beauty. We will get you covered with tips and tricks of how to take better care of your skin and pay more attention to your beauty regimen to keep your skin healthy-looking and prevent maskne problems.
Moisturise & SPF Daily is still a must
The fact is even if you cover your face all day with a mask, the UV rays are still able to damage your skin, so preventing your skin from exposing to the sun is always a must. Try to go for a lightweight sunscreen which is not greasy, quick-absorbing, and won't leave your skin feeling sticky. Click here to find out more why sunscreen is a must and which sunscreen is great for your skin.
Wearing a mask for a long period of time can also make your skin dry, and dry skin can be prone to irritation and lead to common maskne problems, so try to keep your skin moisturised. Applying moisturizer can create a protective barrier to reduce irritation and dryness. Banobagi Milk Thistle Repair Cream contains strong antioxidants from burdock root extract to help strengthen damaged skin barriers while keeping the skin moisturised and soothed.
Avoid wearing makeup
We all know that you want to look gorgeous, no matter what. But the thing is blush and lipstick can easily leave a stain in your mask and trust me, it seems not really good. Also, heavy make-up, especially oil-based foundation, and lack of proper ventilation, do not go well together. Imagine how hard it is for your skin to breath while wearing a tight surgical mask for a long period, plus the oil from your cosmetic products staying in your skin for hours can clog your pores and lead to breakouts. Why not mastering your eye makeup rather than wearing heavy foundation.
Gentle exfoliate
Exfoliate your skin at least once a week to remove impurities and dead skin cells. Avoid physical scrubs to prevent further irritation and sensitivity. We love using Pyunkang Yul Peeling Gel which is a moisturising exfoliator that contains only 9 ingredients. It gently exfoliates dead skin cells to reveal smoother, moisturized skin.
Always double cleansing
Even if you think that wearing a surgical mask is preventing your skin from dust and virus, however the skin actually doesn't have much space to breathe and can cause irritation especially for those who wear makeup under their mask. That’s why you will need a good cleansing balm to start your cleansing process. Not only will it remove dirt and impurities from the surface of your skin, but also maintain skin’s natural barrier.
If you are new to the double cleansing method, please click here for more information.
Try Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Purifying and Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser, a perfect start for your double cleansing process.
Soothing & Calming ingredients
When it comes to soothing your skin, natural skincare ingredients are the most effective.
Check out the table below for one of the most gentle ingredients for your skin.
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Ingredients |
Function of Beauty |
Recommend products |
Centella or cica |
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Mugwort or artemisia |
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Burdock root |
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Camomile oil |
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Old school ingredients: aloe vera and tea tree |
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Take care of your lips
Dry skin and chapped lips are common maskne problems. We tend to breathe through our mouth when wearing a mask which can cause our lips to dry and become chapped. You can prevent chapped lips by applying a Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask overnight to keep your lips soft and supple. Sulwhasoo Essential Lip Serum is great to use during the day.
Facial Mask (sheet mask or clay mask)
You might find it funny when we recommend you to move from one mask to another! But trust me, while we keep rambling about the damage of surgical masks to your skin, sheet masks are the instant way to rescue your skin and dipped it with nutrients.
It is possible when we say that you can do a sheet mask every day! Check out our article here for a full guide of sheet masks.
Clay Mask also is a good option for those who have oily/combination skin as the clay mask can help clear your skin's surface of excess oil and dirt, there will most likely be less surface buildup in your pores.
Wear a clean & breathable mask
Choosing the right mask is very important. Opt for a lightweight cotton or silk (if possible) to reduce rubbing or irritation and create less friction than synthetics like polyester and rayon. When working out with a mask or even under warm weather, sweat and friction are inevitable, so the key is to use a clean, dry mask everytime. If you have to wear a mask constantly for hours, try to change the mask every 4 hours and let your skin breath for at least 15 minutes. Wash your hands before removing a mask and wash your face as soon as possible.
Use pimple patches
If you're already experiencing a crop of mask-related pimples, you can use a spot treatment containing salicylic acid, sulfur, zinc, or 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide. A humble hydrocolloid patch, like COSRX Acne Pimple Master, contains a dual-functioning solution as they apply acne medication to individual lesions throughout the day, while also serving as a physical barrier to the mask.
Share with us your plan to overcome this unprecedented time above.
Let's stay safe together, guys!
