Without question, the accessory of 2020 is the face mask. It’s not that cute, but it is TOTALLY NECESSARY.

As a global pandemic continues to crawl on, masks are high on our list of “things I can’t leave home without.”

Masks help protect us, our friends, family and community from virus transmission. But, it doesn’t make us immune to ‘Maskne.’

For some people, wearing a mask can cause irritation, rashes, and other symptoms that are similar in appearance to acne, though not always related.

Since masks are here for the indefinite future, I thought it might be helpful to share some tips on how to prevent and care for irritated skin, so that you can continue to protect yourself and others by wearing your mask.

Let’s first start by pointing out that some people are more likely to experience maskne than others. If you are already living with issues such as:

• rosacea

• eczema

• acne

• allergies

The likelihood of irritation is slightly higher for you (i’m sorry!).

You could be allergic to your mask.

 According to Dr. Anna Chien, M.D., a dermatologist in the Johns Hopkins Department of Dermatology, “One thing we’re seeing more often these days is perioral dermatitis, a condition similar to rosacea.” Dr. Chein also points out that when it comes to masks, material matters. Masks made of cotton or polyester blends are not only the most protective and breathable but also the least irritating on the skin.

Here’s something I didn’t know: some commercial masks are pretreated with disinfectant. The chemical treatment used may also be the culprit for your irritation. Likewise, if you throw your mask in the wash, your detergent could also be irritating your sensitive skin.

Oil, mucus, saliva, and sweat transferring to your mask are avoidable and cleaning is a must. If you are using a washable mask, be sure to wash with gentle, nonirritating soap after each use and dry it in the dryer. Store your fresh masks in a bag to keep it clean until you need it.

Chaffing is also another common cause of irritation. So to minimize friction, make sure your mask fits well…but not too tight.

Masks made of cotton or polyester blends are not only the most protective and breathable but also the least irritating on the skin.

What to do if you’re experiencing irritation

The first thing I would recommend is pairing down your skincare routine. The additional ingredients and fragrance in a product could anger any issues even more. Stick to a simple, low PH cleanser and a basic moisturizer. Whatever you do, don’t pick, itch, or agitate the area.

One of my favourite ways to treat skin irritation is with a honey mask. Try applying creamed raw honey to the area to help soothe, moisturize, and cleanse. Leave on for up to 20 mins then rinse way with tepid water.

Wearing a mask is also the perfect excuse to skip foundation. If you’ll be wearing your mask for longer periods of time, consider going makeup-free.

I’m dreaming of a day where, when I hear the word mask, it’s in reference to a sheet, clay, or halloween mask. Until then…

Be calm. Be kind. Be safe.

Where do you go
to practice the skills
required to change the world?

This is a question I’ve asked myself many times over the past few weeks. 

The answer always comes through softly.
It says “go within.” 

That’s where we do the work
to open our hearts and our minds,
to slowly unravel the knots of tension,
and sit with our discomfort.

The point where we brace
is the point where we need to soften 
in order to heal and experience change.

Softening takes time and requires practice.
That’s why I come to my mat.

We can’t project our expectation of change on to others without first embodying change in our own systems. And the primary system on which we have influence is our own body.  

The revolution can not be intellectualized. In fact trying to solve systems of oppression, supremacy, and racism by reading a book or “doing the right thing” only further disembodies and disconnects us from what poet Mary Oliver calls “the soft animal of your body.”

We trust intellect more than we trust our instincts.
We second guess the actions that we take…or don’t take.
We go where ever we are led. 

Mindful movement and Self-practice is a tool we can use to become more human. A tool we can use to dismantle our own beliefs and soften into discomfort. On the mat, we practice the skills that help us live more in our bodies - no matter what race, gender, age… your body is- and less in our minds. We can generate a sense of awareness and presence that has the power to allow genuine connection to our higher Self and connection with others. And from this place, we can make decisions that have a greater intention and impact.

At the end of the day
when you strip it all away
we are all human beings
craving the same sensorial experience in our lives and in our bodies…

To feel safe.
To feel at ease. 

To be free. 

Self Check-in:

Why do you step on to the mat and in what way does your practice help you off the mat?

Let’s have a calmversation in the comments below.

When I chose to take a break from Kunye almost 2 years ago, I knew some things would be harder to walk away from than others. One of the things I missed most was spending time in the lab designing and formulating products. It is as sacred to me as my daily meditation practice, which is why I couldn’t stay away for very long.

Fast forward to today, and that’s how The Lip Balm came to be - late nights in the lab fuelled purely by wine and enthusiasm. Dry lips have plagued me my entire life. As a result, I've spent countless hours researching the best ways to heal, soften, and soothe dry and damaged lip skin. In fact, my desire to banish dry lips from my life forever was the reason why I created the balm V1 (known then as the Lip Conditioner) - which some have called the best lip balm ever.

So, I challenged myself to make it even better; and well folks, I did (if I do say so myself).

A beautiful balm is a staple in every make-up bag, dopp kit, gym bag, jeans pocket, car cup holder… the list could go on and on. A great balm should be three things - long-lasting, deeply moisturizing, and reparative as well as protective.

The condition of our lips is influenced by internal and external environmental factors. So, in addition to staying hydrated and well nourished, it’s always helpful to have your favourite balm on hand for when things get flakey.

I’m completely over the moon to (re)introduce The Lip Balm to the world. There's a lot of pride poured into each and every tube. It’s delightful in so many respects - It feels fantastic as you glide it across the lips, it stays on the lips and it isn’t too thick nor too thin, and the potent formula is packed with oils, rich butters, and waxes that shield your lips with relief and moisture that lasts long after the balm has settled in.

All this packaged in a modern roll-up stick for all self-identifying humans.

I hope you love it.

Mel

Melissa Nkomo is our Founder, creative director and master teacher. What lights her up most is being an ally for others on their wellness and spiritual journey. She is honoured to do this as Kunye’s founder, a movement and meditation teacher, Embodiment facilitator, and self-professed Slow Wellness Navigator. @melissa.nkomo @kunye.co