It's been a while between drinks, and wow, what a crazy world we find ourselves in right now. Here in New Zealand we are well into Lockdown L2 and face masks are highly advocated by the Health Ministry. For those who are wisely complying, the variety of masks has suddenly grown from the medicinal medical $2 kind (white & blue, sweaty, plasticky) to super cute homemade cotton prints (love these ones from Ama) and designer chic (Evie Kemp's Maaike mask is divine). I love these luxe silk ones from The Vampire's Wife and the Liberty lawn from Pearl Lowe.
My dad is a doctor and is working with community groups to help Pasifika (Polynesian) people. He advocates the best material to use is cotton fabric that is thick enough to prevent most of the virus particles spread away from the face to infect others or for the wearer to breath in virus particles in the air. The more layers, the more effective. However, thick cotton rubbing directly onto your skin can be uncomfortable on the skin and cause spots, chaffing, rashes and clogged pores.
Here are a few handy tips too help your skin stay healthy & spot-free in lockdown life.
*The best masks use a double layer of 100% cotton with an outer layer or thicker cotton like Drill. The inner layer is ideally a thin cotton like Lawn - a more 'breathable' fabric.
*Avoid nylon as it is harder to breath in, and traps more moisture creating warmth & damp, which is not friendly to your skin.
*Choose a style that isn't too tight to your face, like the pleated or "cupped" versions. These give you more room to breathe between your mouth and the fabric, and are less likely to cause chaffing or spots from rubbing on the skin.
*Wash your mask after each use and always put on a new clean one. This is not only hygienic, but safer!
*Use a light moisturiser on your face around your mouth, lips and nose first, to provide a protective barrier between your skin and the mask. Moisturisers with beeswax are very effective, as the wax will keep moisture from getting into your skin to cause infection. I love this Kawakawa balm which uses Beeswax but also New Zealand botanicals which help to soothe irritated skin, and include antibacterial properties.
*Always wash your skin before and after mask use. That trapped sweat will sit and cause spots & rashes. A cleanser with salicylic acid is good, as it will slough off dead skin. Neutrogena has a good one here.
*Apply your moisturiser afterwards to keep skin hydrated, and carry on with your usual skincare routine.
*To help with irritation, I highly recommend Kawakawa Balm. As mentioned above, it not only moisturises but also heals and soothes skin.
If it's good enough for Kate to wear a mask, it's good enough for us!
Stay Safe - Stay Chic 💙
