Skin Care Whilst Wearing a Mask
Our “new normal” has changed our day to day life and whilst we want to keep each other safe and well, wearing a protective mask can definitely take its toll on our skin.
The key to keeping your skin in balance is to find a way to treat the skin. Take time to figure out what your skin needs (this will be different to your usual routine). As we are now covering most of our face with a mask, there is a lack of oxygen around this area. This makes it easier for bacteria to breed, which can ultimately lead to breakouts and skin irritation.
Using fewer products will allow your skin time to find its calm and repair itself and you will have your skin back to itself soon. Keep reading for a step-by-step skin care regime catered to your skin type and for Meesha’s quick tips.
Dry/Dehydrated Skin Type
Despite your skin type, avoid limiting how much makeup is work beneath the mask. This may significantly reduce skin irritations. Makeup is ultimately another layer on the skin that can clog pores, leading to congestion and other skin issues.
AM Routine
STEP 1: CLEANSE
The purpose of your morning routine is to prep your skin for the day. In the AM, always rinse your face with cold water to shrink your pores. Follow by using a calming and nourishing cleanser such as the OSKIA Perfect Cleanser or Magic Organic Apothecary The Green Balm. These cleansers will gently remove excess impurities and oil without drying or stripping the skin of its natural oils and moisture. Skin will be left feeling balanced, calm, refreshed and hydrated.
Toning is a must. It prepares the skin for maximum absorption of active treatments that will be applied afterwards. It also calms and balances the pH of the skin.
Tone with Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence or OSKIA Floral Water Pure Rose & MSM Toner. Tata Harper’s Hydrating Floral Essence will add a layer of moisture to the skin and plump it with hyaluronic acid and natural humectants. OSKIA’s Floral Water Pure Rose & MSM Toner contains MSM, a natural form of organic sulphur which boosts collagen production, promotes circulation and helps decrease inflammation.
STEP 2: TREAT
Hyaluronic Acid will be your best friend. Treat the skin and provide it with essential hydration with Tata Harper Rejuvenating Serum or Merme Facial Hydration Serum. Both serums are thin, moveable and most importantly, breathable. They will instantly plump and firm your skin whilst promoting smoothness and elasticity to support the skin’s natural protective barrier.
This step can be followed by applying Merme Organic Rosehip Oil on top when skin feels particularly dry and dehydrated.
STEP 3: HYDRATE
A common mistake when treating dry/dehydrated skin is to apply a thick layer of moisturiser. It won’t penetrate – it will simply sit on the surface. Just apply enough moisturiser on top of your serum and/or oil to give comfort to your skin. Tata Harper Crème Riche or OSKIA Nutri-Active Day Cream will give you plenty of hydration whilst you are wearing your mask.
Include your lips in your routine. Evolve Beauty True Gold Lip Shine will keep your lips hydrated. It’s also fragranced with Organic Rose Otto, Vanilla and Mandarin.
PM Routine
STEP 1: CLEANSE
Cleanse the skin immediately after getting home and removing your mask. Remove all sweat, bacteria and makeup from the jaw, chin and cheek area with cotton pads soaked in cold water then pat dry with a towel. Follow with a gentle cleanse. Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser or OSKIA Renaissance Cleansing Gel are suitable for dry/dehydrated skin. Always double cleanse if you have worn make-up. Follow with your toner to calm the skin.
STEP 2: TREAT
If you exfoliate once a week, consider upping your exfoliation to 2-3 times a week around the affected area. The OSKIA Micro Exfoliating Balm will buff away tired skin cells and also nourish the lipid barrier to leave skin soft, radiant and glowing. It will also combat the additional congestion and promote cell turnover.
Apply a mask 1-2 times per week like the Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Mask. This multi-hyaluronic treatment is like a glass of water for dry and dehydrated skin. It contains 1,000 micro and macro molecular sizes of hyaluronic acid which recharges dry skin and replenishes lost moisture. It also contains vitamins and minerals which will nourish and comfort the skin.
Merme’s Deep Clean Facial Mask is rich in antibacterial properties and natural minerals. When the clay mask dries, it acts like a magnet to pull out all toxins, leaving your skin velvety soft. Excess bacteria, sebum and dead skin cells are removed, aiding against deep-seated clogged pores and it will also stimulate your skin’s blood circulation to ensure a bright, balanced and radiant complexion.
Follow with your hyaluronic acid serum. For PM, add a layer of an oil treatment like the Tata Harper Retinoic Nutrient Face Oil. This concentrated face oil infuses the skin with essential vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and antioxidants to transform dry, chapped irritated patches into balanced, radiant looking skin. OSKIA’s Restoration Oil is easily absorbed and helps soothe inflammation and alleviates discomfort. The oils infused work to strengthen and improve elasticity and restore radiance.
STEP 3: HYDRATE
Add a light moisturiser like the Tata Harper Hyaluronic Gel Moisturiser and massage the skin using your favourite tool. The cocktail of the hydration from the serum, oil and moisturiser will give your jade roller or gua sha a nice slip across the skin. The cold tool will lock in both the hydrators and the effects of the acid working hard underneath it. Flexi Skin London has a great selection of tools. Remember to hydrate your lips.
Combination/Oily Skin Type
AM Routine
STEP 1: CLEANSE
Start your morning off again with cold-water facial rinse. Use a purifying gel-to-oil cleanser like Tata Harper Purifying Cleanser which purges impurities by providing your daily detox treatment. The OSKIA Renaissance Cleanser is also wonderfully rich in vitamins and enzymes which removes impurities to reveal a balanced, clean and fresh complexion.
Tone with Evolve Beauty’s Liquid Radiance Glycolic Toner. This 100% natural AHA/BHA liquid exfoliator reveals instantly smoother and brighter skin. The salicylic acid boosts exfoliation by breaking down the ‘glue’ that causes breakouts and oily, uneven skin. Or try OSKIA’s CityLife Mist which contains a micro-encapsulated blend of hyaluronic acid, nutrients and vitamins which work in synergy to protect the skin. The scent of Neroli and Basil oil help to relieve tension too *bonus*.
STEP 2: TREAT
Next, treat the skin with a bio active treatment. For more sensitive skin that can get oily or congested, the OSKIA Super 16 Serum works well to provide hydration and an anti-oxidant protection. The advanced formula also reduces inflammation and increases procollagen synthesis as it contains Backuchiol and Hyaluronic Acid.
For an intensive oil treatment, Merme’s Organic Jojoba Oil is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and essential fatty acids. The anti-inflammatory oil helps to nourish, calm and protect your skin, while rebalancing the overproduction of acne-causing sebum. Its antibacterial and non-comedogenic properties help to balance oily and break-out prone skins, as well as forming a natural protective barrier from outside pollutants.
STEP 3: HYDRATE
Hydration is key. In order to prevent breakouts while wearing a mask, the skin needs a fine balance of acid and hydration. If the skin is over-activated from acids, it causes the skin to ‘panic’ and lead to an overproduction of oil, resulting in unwanted breakouts. Using a water-based moisturiser will prevent breakouts. Apply a thin layer of Tata Harper’s Water-Lock Moisturiser or OSKIA Renaissance 360. Try Tata Harper’s Hyaluronic Gel Moisturiser if you prefer a weightless daily hydrator. This light moisturiser is formulated with potent and highly penetrative hyaluronic acid to boost hydration levels in the skin.
You can go in with a targeted spot treatment like Evolve Beauty’s Rainforest Rescue Serum, which contains salicylic acid to help boost cell turnover and exfoliate without irritation. Simply apply to the affected areas.
Lastly apply your Evolve Beauty True Gold Lip Shine to protect and nourish your lips.
PM Routine
STEP 1: CLEANSE
Once you have removed your mask for the day, it is important to treat the skin quickly. Remove all sweat, bacteria and makeup from the area with cotton pads soaked in cold water and then pat dry with a towel.
Follow with your cleanser. We recommend using Tata Harper’s Regenerating Cleanser which is an exfoliating treatment that buffs, and polishes congested skin. This creamy cleanser contains BHAs and white willow bark to give you a radiant glow whilst washing away the day’s impurities.
Apply a generous amount of toner on your cotton pad and give the skin a good wipe again. Though you just cleansed, you will still notice excess impurities from your day. This will be from oil to makeup to dead skin cells and everything in between. Evolve Beauty’s Daily Defence Mist, contains Organic Mexican Cactus elixir which calms irritated skin whilst firming, protecting and increasing the skin’s overall hydration. It similarly contains Hyaluronic Acid and additionally African Moringa Peptides which protects the skin cells from pollution whilst providing long-lasting hydration.
STEP 2: TREAT
Use the Elemental Herbology AHA Multi Acid Skin Resurfacing Pads every day or alternate days depending on your skin’s sensitivity. These pads contain 5% glycolic acid and 5% AHA’s to help minimise pores and breakouts while promoting an even skin tone. Skin is hydrated as well as gently exfoliated to help increase cell turnover. Let the acid penetrate for a few minutes before you continue with your routine.
Treat the skin 2-3 times a week with a mask. Tata Harper’s Purifying Mask and Clarifying Mask both works. The Purifying Mask is a detox treatment which purges the pores of impurities whilst the Clarifying Mask contains lactic acid and is ideal for blemish prone skin.
STEP 3: HYDRATE
Finally, you can go in with your hydrators again – either a serum or water-based moisturiser to seal everything in. Use your tools, they will be perfect to calm your skin down. You can also keep your Jade Roller or Gua Sha in the fridge to provide the ultimate cooling effect. It will instantly soothe the skin, limit the spread of bacteria, reduce inflammation and signal your skin to breathe again. It’s also relaxing and helps to unwind from a long day.
Both pre and post mask routines are extremely important in keeping the skin balanced and calm. You are essentially re-training your skin to know what to do during the day and how to relax when the day is over. Stick to your routines consistently and you will notice a difference in as little as two weeks!
Quick Tips
- Cleanse your skin as soon as you get home, so you get rid of any impurities and congestion
- Double cleanse if you are wearing make-up or sunscreen
- Apply your repair products immediately so they can get to work
- Get enough sleep
- Eat well
- Drink enough water
- If you find your skin is not co-operating, just remember skin reactions like this are temporary and we can work through them together to help calm and soothe it
- Always carry a hydrating mist in your purse! It is pivotal you have breaks from your mask throughout the day when you are alone. Generously mist your skin to provide it with the hydration it needs – even if it’s just for a little while!
- Try to avoid stress – harder than it sounds but make sure you do something for yourself (even if it’s a 10-minute meditation)
