Dr. Sims’ Top 10 Tips for Soothing Irritations from Wearing Masks

Wearing masks nowadays is necessary to help minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19. However, wearing masks do come with some minimal side effects, like skin irritation. It is a small price to pay for helping everyone around you, and fear not because there are ways to help treat it!

Here are Dr. Sims’ tips for treating skin irritations from wearing masks:

  1. Cleanse face with a gentle, hydrating face wash twice per day like OTC Cerave Hydrating Cleanser.
  2. Lightly pat dry with damp face cloth. Do not rub your face.
  3. Apply a spritz of soothing Avene EAU Thermale Spring water to face before moisturizer.
  4. Apply acne prescription medication in liquid or gel form if prescribed.
  5. Apply a lightweight moisture cream or a hyaluronic acid moisturizer gel like OTC Neutrogena Hydroboost Gel.
  6. Apply a lightweight zinc or titanium based sunscreen spf 30+ cream in the morning (like Cerave am or Epionce Ultrashield 50).
  7. Wear a clean, soft, cloth facial mask with a filter, as needed. Remove your mask and let skin breathe whenever safely possible.
  8. Repeat the cleansing steps in the evening but apply a richer moisturizing ceramide-based, or growth-factor based cream after the spring water spritz (like OTC Cerave PM Cream or our Neocutis Biocreme)
  9. For added relief of facial irritation and dehydration, consider having a Coolift Facial treatment series. This is a patented, concentrated hyaluronic acid, hydrating facial series of 3 sessions, available at Divine Dermatology. This very safe procedure can be repeated multiple times and is well tolerated by all skin types.
  10. Stay safe, wear your masks where necessary to stay healthy.

-Carol Sims-Robertson, MD