How to Care for Your Skin When Wearing a Mask
Since the beginning of March 2020, we have been wearing masks to some capacity to help protect ourselves and others during the global pandemic. Wearing a mask for a quick trip to the store isn’t likely going to cause damage to your skin but individuals who work in healthcare and essential service fields are wearing masks 8 to 12 hours a day and their skin is taking a toll.
By wearing masks daily our skin is confined to a tight space, which can increase the amount of impurities and oils that get trapped under the skin. If you are experiencing new breakouts or blackheads from wearing your mask, there are a few active ingredients you can incorporate into your routine to help.
We recommend using Vivier Medicated Wash, which includes 2% salicylic acid, to help clean out built-up impurities in the skin. Salicylic acid is a gold standard ingredient to keeping the pores clean and skin smooth.
While Medicated Wash is a great first step to keeping pores and skin clear, for additional targeted treatments of blackheads and breakouts, we recommend also using Vivier AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cream. This powerhouse product is full of active ingredients such as; salicylic acid for clear pores, alpha-hydroxy acid for a smooth & youthful complexion, vitamin C and E for antioxidant and anti-aging support and peptides to help with collagen production.
Apply AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cream morning and night, after serums but before other creams.
Restricting airflow and trapping stale, oxygen-poor air against our skin can cause a general dry, dullness to the skin. Our skin, like the rest of our organs, performs better and is healthier when it’s hydrated.
One way to hydrate the skin is from the inside out by drinking plenty of water. We can also boost skin’s hydration from the outside in by incorporating hyaluronic acid.
Vivier Ulitmage™ is a revolutionary, medical-grade hyaluronic acid gel that delivers hydration to our skin, allowing the skin to function at its best. Ultimage™ also features neuropeptides, which smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Applied once or twice daily after serums but before lotions will improve the look, appearance, and health of the skin.
Medical-grade and N95 masks are designed to keep all outside air away from the nose and mouth. This means keeping a snug fit of the mask against the face can cause chaffing, blistering, and rawness to the skin. This type of damage to the skin can not only be painful but can also cause long-term scarring. We recommend keeping the skin clean and treated with healing ingredients when the mask is off.
Vivier HEXAM® is a gentle, antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory cleanser that works well to clean compromised skin. We suggest gently washing the affected area once or twice daily with lukewarm water, then patting the skin dry. This will help to prevent infection and promote healing.
In addition to keeping the area clean, we recommend using a moisturizer such as Vivier Lexxel.
This will help alleviate and protect against chapping, cracking and roughness, while also relieving itching due to dryness. Applying a thin layer of LEXXEL® whenever the mask is off and overnight during sleep will help to soothe, calm and repair the area. If your skin irritation becomes unbearable, there are bandages available at your local pharmacy designed for sensitive skin that can be worn as a barrier between the skin and the mask.
We also recommend avoiding active ingredients like retinols, vitamin C, acids, and exfoliants until the skin has healed.


