9 ways to prevent face mask skin problems

Wearing a mask can be hard on your skin

Gentle skin care can prevent your mask from causing skin problems.

Masks play a vital role in reducing the spread of the coronavirus. Masks can also be hard on your skin, causing problems that range from acne and peeling skin to rashes and itchiness. To help prevent skin problems from developing under your mask, board-certified dermatologists recommend these nine tips.

1. Cleanse and moisturize your face daily. Gentle skin care can prevent skin problems. When washing your face, use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser and follow these steps, Face washing 101.

Dry skin is a common face mask skin problem. Applying moisturizer adds a protective layer that can reduce dryness.

You want to apply moisturizer immediately after washing your face. To get the most benefit from a moisturizer, board-certified dermatologist Carrie L. Kovarik, MD, FAAD, recommends using a moisturizer with one of the following ingredients:

   • Ceramides
   • Hyaluronic acid
   • Dimethicone (which can also create a barrier that helps reduce irritated skin)

   You can prevent breakouts from your moisturizer by using a moisturizer formulated for your skin type. When selecting moisturizer, follow this guide:

   • Oily skin (or when weather is hot, humid): Gel moisturizer
   • Normal or combination skin: Lotion
   • Dry to very dry skin: Cream

   If you have acne or tend to break out, you can still use a gel moisturizer.

   Apply moisturizer before and after wearing a mask

   Moisturizer can prevent problems, especially if you have dry or sensitive skin.

   Tip courtesy of board-certified dermatologist Carrie L. Kovarik, MD, FAAD

   

2. Protect your lips by applying petroleum jelly. Dry skin and chapped lips are common face mask skin problems. You can prevent chapped lips by applying petroleum jelly to your lips:

   • After washing your face
   • Before you put on your mask
   • Before bed
   To prevent breakouts, take care to apply the petroleum jelly only to your lips.

3. Skip the makeup when wearing a mask. Beneath a mask, makeup is more likely to clog your pores and lead to breakouts. If makeup is necessary, use only products labeled “non-comedogenic” or “won't clog pores.”

4. Avoid trying new skin care products that can irritate your skin. Wearing a mask for even a short time can make your skin more sensitive. To reduce skin problems, avoid trying harsh products, such as a chemical peel, exfoliant, or retinoid, for the first time, says board-certified dermatologist Daniela Kroshinsky, MD, MPH, FAAD.

   Retinoids can irritate your skin

   “If you’ve been using a retinoid (or retinol), apply it at bedtime and don’t increase the amount that you apply.”

   Tip courtesy of board-certified dermatologist Daniela Kroshinsky, MD, MPH, FAAD

   

5. Use less of certain skin care products if your face becomes irritated. When you cover your face with a mask, some skin care products that you’ve used in the past may irritate your skin. If this happens, Dr. Kroshinsky recommends cutting back on products that can irritate your skin, such as:

   • Leave-on salicylic acid
   • Retinoid you apply to your face
   • Aftershave
   Use masks to slow the spread of COVID-19

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   To see who the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says should wear a face mask, go to: Use masks to slow the spread of COVID-19

6. Wear the right mask. To reduce skin problems, look for masks that offer the following:

   • A snug, but comfortable fit
   • At least two layers of fabric
   • Soft, natural, and breathable fabric, such as cotton, on the inside layer that rests against your skin
   Wearing a mask that offers a snug, but comfortable fit helps to protect you and others from the coronavirus. You want a snug fit across your nose, on the sides, and under your chin.

A snug, comfortable fit also reduces skin problems. If the mask feels too tight or slides around on your face, it can irritate your skin. You’re also more likely to adjust a poorly fitting mask. When you touch your mask, you can transfer germs to your mask and your face.

The fabric is also important. Avoid synthetic fabrics, such as nylon, polyester, and rayon on the the layer that rests against your skin. These are more likely to irritate your skin and cause breakouts.
   
   For more tips on selecting a face mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at CDC.gov/coronavirus.
   How to choose the right face mask for your skin

   Choosing the right face mask can help prevent skin problems. Board-certified dermatologists recommend looking for these things when choosing a face mask.

7. Take a 15-minute mask break every 4 hours. Health care workers on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic have found that this helps save their skin. Of course, only remove your mask when it’s safe to do so and after washing your hands.

Safe places to remove your mask include:

   • Outdoors, when you can stay at least six feet away from people
   • Inside your car when you’re alone
   • At home

   Stop behind-the-ear soreness

   Find masks with different types of ties and ear loops and wear a different type each day.

   Tip courtesy of board-certified dermatologist Daniela Kroshinsky, MD, MPH, FAAD

   

8. Wash your cloth masks. Many health care organizations now recommend that you wash a cloth mask after each use. Washing it also removes oils and skin cells that collect inside the mask, which could lead to a skin problem.

You can wash a cloth mask in a washing machine or by hand. Both ways remove germs and other particles. Just be sure to:

   • Follow the washing instructions on each mask.
   • Wash the masks in hot water unless the instructions say otherwise.
   • Use a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic laundry detergent.
   After washing your mask, check its shape. If a mask no longer fits snugly (and comfortably), it is less protective.

9. Continue the treatment plan that your dermatologist created for you. If you have a skin condition, such as acne or rosacea, it’s especially important to follow your treatment plan. This can help keep the condition under control.

If you develop a face mask skin problem

Life gets busy. Sometimes, it’s hard to care for your skin as planned. If a skin problem develops under your mask, you may be able to treat it yourself. See what dermatologists recommend at, Face mask skin problems: DIY treatment.

Related AAD resources

• Face mask skin care made simple: Infographic

• 10 things to try when acne won’t clear

• Moisturizer: Why you may need it if you have acne

• Hand rashes: How to prevent and treat

• AAD Coronavirus Resource Center

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