Whether you’re wearing a standard cloth mask to go about your daily life, a protective mask for your job as a key worker, or a tightly-fitting N-95 as a healthcare professional, masks can cause skin issues.

The tighter the fit, the worse the problem, and most of those who have been experiencing pressure sores, abrasion, rashes and raw skin are hospital staff, on the frontline of the fight against Covid-19. 

Here are some simple steps to take to soothe rashes and inflammation from face masks.

• If at all possible, take off your mask every 2 hours to give your skin a break.

• Wash your face with luke-warm (not hot) water

• Use an unscented, mild, soap-free cleanser/wash

• Pat skin dry with a clean tissue or paper towel

• Apply an anhydrous barrier balm (not a water-based cream)

• Help skin repair itself with a rosehip-rich oil before bed

• Reapply your balm last thing at night

Why is Skin Salvation a good choice as a barrier balm?

• Skin Salvation is an oil-based ointment, so it’s unlikely to sting even very sore, raw or broken skin
• The beeswax forms a semi-occlusive protective barrier over broken or fragile skin
• This barrier acts as if it were the skin’s own barrier function, locking moisture in and keeping irritants out
• It’s rich in the essential fatty acids that skin needs for its natural cycle of regeneration and repair
• It is unscented and free from the synthetic ingredients that can aggravate sensitive or inflamed skin
• Unlike paraffin-based emollients, it isn’t flammable!

Recommended products:

Skin Salvation with hemp seed oil, beeswax and calendula, from £7.99 for 30ml

Balmonds Rosehip Scar Oil with rosehip, lavender and chamomile, £18.99 for 50ml

Balmonds Natural Shampoo & Body Wash with calendula & nettle (£19.99 for 200ml)