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How to Avoid Skin Irritation From a Face Mask Covering


As we enter this new normal, it means adjusting to changes in our daily routine, from working from home to meticulously planning our weekly grocery store trips. The newest adjustment has been wearing a face mask whenever you’re in public, following the CDC’s recommendation in order to flatten the curve. No matter if you’re a health care worker wearing a medical mask on the front lines, or you’re wearing a fabric face covering out on a daily sanity walk, you’ll soon discover that in addition to keeping you safe, your face mask may be causing some less than desirable side effects when it comes to your skin.

“Any fabric rubbing against your skin may lead to friction and irritation,” says Joshua Zeichner M.D., Director of Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC. “Plus, oil, sweat, dirt, and makeup can build up under the fabric. This can lead to rashes or even acne breakouts, especially in areas where the mask directly comes in contact with your skin.” In more serious cases, like those of medical workers wearing N95 masks for hours, your skin may start to break down and serious bruising can take place due to the constant rubbing.

In addition to the mask itself creating skin irritation, there’s the fact that you’re trapping your own breath and creating a warm, moist environment. “Skin under a mask can get ‘sweaty’ and damp from the moisture in your breath,” says Sofie Pavitt, an esthetician in NYC. “This can make it susceptible to breakouts and irritation.”

While a little acne is certainly worth it to keep yourself (and others) safe, there are ways to keep your skin protected too. Read on for the best ways to treat and prevent skin irritation from face masks.

Consider the fabric of your mask.

Whether you DIY a mask with a bandana or purchase one from a small retailer, the fabric you’re using can make a big difference. Across the board, experts recommend avoiding synthetic materials and picking something soft and natural like cotton. Keep in mind, though, that breathable fabrics are more likely to filter air in. Dr. Shari Marchbein, a dermatologist in NYC, recommends layering tightly woven cotton to keep you protected.

Give your makeup some time off.

If you can, it’s a good idea to let your skin breathe when wearing a mask out and about. In addition to the fact that no one is paying attention to your skin right now, “the mask is likely to remove makeup as it rubs against your skin,” says Marchbein. “That makeup can cause further occlusion of oil glands and pores potentially making breakouts worse.” Ditch your foundation and focus on a cool eyeshadow if you still want to play with makeup.

Shelf any strong cleansers or exfoliators for now.

While you might be tempted to attack your chin area with heavy-duty products to keep it clear, now is the time to really baby your skin to keep it protected. “It’s important to use ultra gentle skin cleansers and moisturizers,” says Zeichner. “Harsh facial cleansers can disrupt the outer skin layer, leading to dryness and inflammation. This makes it more likely that you’ll develop irritation from a mask sitting on your face.” He recommends sticking to gentle, simple formulas like Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar, Aveeno Ultra Calming Nourishing Night Cream, and Vaseline for super damaged skin.

While Marchbein calls retinol “the backbone of any good antiaging and acne skin care routine,” she recommends taking a break from it for now, especially if you’re wearing a N95 mask since it can make skin more easily irritated. She says other serums are fine, and be sure to wear at least SPF 30 on areas where your face is exposed.





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Skin Care for Sensitive Skin: Best Ingredients to Use and Avoid


How to use PHAs: Like classic AHAs, polyhydroxy acids can be swiped on in toner form or applied via a brightening treatment or mask.

What to try: This toner chemically exfoliates just like an extremely tingly AHA toner, but thanks to the PHA swap, it sweeps away dead cells with zero sensation. You’ll still see plenty of brightening and smoothing, though.

The Inky List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Gentle Exfoliating Toner

The Inky List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Gentle Exfoliating Toner

$11

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Vitamin E

Why you should swap it out: The commonly used ingredient helps stop free radical oxidation and extend the shelf life of your product. But tocopherol (another name for the active) can also trigger contact dermatitis for a small percentage of people. Palm says this reaction will likely materialize as redness, rashes, irritation, itchiness, or a burning sensation.

What you should swap it with: Melatonin. The same stuff we rely on for sound sleep also acts as an indirect antioxidant in skin care. According to Palm, topically applied melatonin works by signaling enzymes that can trigger blocked or accelerated oxidation.

How to use melatonin: As you would with supplements, Palm suggests saving your topical melatonin for nighttime. “Especially when paired with a retinol alternative such as bakuchiol, melatonin enhances skin recovery, repair, and cell turnover,” she says.

What to try: This instant hit overnight mask, which sold out just 48 hours after launch, contains both bakuchiol and melatonin—plus hydrating squalane and soothing arnica.

Alpyn Beauty Calming Midnight Mask

Alpyn Beauty Calming Midnight Mask

$68

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Hydroquinone

Why you should swap it out: There’s plenty of controversy surrounding the melanin blocker (it fades hyperpigmentation) due to animal testing that raises questions about possible carcinogenic links. While the FDA still considers hydroquinone safe, it can also cause irritation, redness, and dryness for some.

What you should swap it with: Tranexamic acid. “TA is a potent new agent for the treatment of melasma, but without the irritation or risk of hydroquinone,” says Howe. The scientific community still isn’t quite sure how TA minimizes dark spots, although Howe says it may work via “anti-palmin activity, which leads to decreased melanin synthesis.”

How to use tranexamic acid: Apply TA-infused serums and spot treatments morning or night.

What to try: This serum contains 3% TA and kojic acid to fade dark spots. “Kojic acid, a natural byproduct of fermented soy sauce and rice wine, blocks the formation of melanin production,” says Howe. For a more budget-friendly offering, we also like Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Hyperpigmentation Treatment, which contains 2% TA to even your skin tone.

SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense

SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense

$98

Buy Now



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Avoid Money Fights With Your Partner By Using These 4 Expert-Approved Tips


She Makes Money Moves is a new podcast from Glamour and iHeartRadio. Hosted by Glamour editor-in-chief Samantha Barry, the podcast shares intimate, unscripted stories from women across the country along with advice from financial experts to help guide those women—and women everywhere—forward. Download a new episode every Tuesday, then visit glamour.com/money for an article like this, with more insights from that week’s expert.

According to a recent survey, money is a greater source of relationship tension than sex. Money can be such a deal-breaker that nearly one-quarter of participants said they’d broken up with a partner over financial concerns. And 58 percent of the people surveyed said that they’d rather stay single than shack up with someone who’s bad with their budget. When it comes to relationships, money matters. But if you’re honest with your partner about your finances—warts and all—it can be something that brings you together, instead of driving you apart.

In this week’s episode of She Makes Money Moves, “Equal Partners With Unequal Paychecks,” Sam Barry spoke with a woman who earns less than half of what her husband makes. While her husband doesn’t push her to make more, she still feels guilty. So she over-compensates by doing all of the housework—even after working a full day. Barry welcomed on financial expert Stefanie O’Connell to discuss her experience and how other women can have a healthier financial relationship with their partner. Here O’Connell shares her best tips.

Have a “money date”

Gender dynamics and economic roles may be shifting, but when it comes to managing money, the golden rule of relationships still stands—talk about it. Unfortunately, a lot of us only talk about money when it’s already become a point of tension or conflict in our relationships. Unsurprisingly, these emotionally heated moments are not the best time to try talking to our partner about money for the first time. Set yourself up for success by picking a time and place dedicated to a calm and constructive money conversation, or a “money date.”

As you start sharing financial details with your partner, it’s important to dig into any details or differences that might require further conversation. Not just differences in income, but differences in credit, debt, spending values, etc. Essentially, any financial detail that has the potential to affect both of you needs to be discussed. For example, if your partner has bad credit and you’re going to be moving in together, you’ll want to know that before you go apartment hunting and start filling out lease or mortgage applications.

Reviewing your credit reports together can also tell you whether your partner is making an effort to improve their financial habits, or whether missing payments and skipping out on bills is a persistent problem. Sharing this kind of information can point to potential pain points in your financial future together and give you an opportunity to work through them as a team. It’s important to remember that this process isn’t about judging or criticizing your partner, it’s about figuring out ways you can help each other and your relationship grow. If your partner fears judgment or shame around their money habits, you can help them open up by sharing your own financial fears and mistakes. These are hard conversations, but being compassionate and supportive with one another will serve you, your relationship and your finances. Failing to talk about these financial details and keeping things hidden like overspending and secret debt can be a breeding ground for fights, and break down the trust that’s essential for the growth of your relationship.

On the flip side, open and honest discussions of your financial failures and goals can bond you as a team, even when you disagree, by building a foundation for you to handle problems together.

Make a game plan for expenses

As far as how you’ll share expenses, especially with different incomes, you have to decide what works for you. Like all personal choices, there’s no one right way to do it. The only “right way” is the one you and your partner agree on—and what’s right for you now may not be right for you in six months. So it’s important to revisit these conversations by scheduling “money dates” regularly. Maybe you split your expenses 50/50 as you start living together or maybe you contribute to shared household expenses as a percentage of your relative incomes. Then, maybe you get married and decide to live off of one partner’s income while putting the rest in savings. Whatever you decide, it’s important that you’re both involved in the process.

Don’t leave all financial planning to one partner

Be wary of having only one partner handle all financial matters. Not only can this be disempowering, in some cases, it can set you up to be a victim of financial abuse. For example, your partner may use your money without your permission or use your identity to gain access to credit and loans or refuse you access to your money without going through him or her. So whatever jobs you choose for yourselves in the context of your shared money management strategy, it’s essential that you both be involved. It’s not enough to make a plan, then pass it on to one partner while the other tunes out completely. While you can experiment with delegating various financial tasks and how you split and share your financial responsibilities, the key is making sure you’re both involved in all aspects of your financial life and putting together a framework that works for both of you.



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9 Foods to Avoid When Trying to Get Pregnant


Eating right isn’t always easy—especially when you’re pregnant and looking at a whole new set of nutrition rules. But even if you’re just starting to think about conceiving, some dietary changes are in order.

Part of it is eating enough fruits, vegetables, whole grains—foods that are always good for you—but more critical are the foods you should be avoiding when you’re trying to get pregnant. Artificial ingredients, synthetic hormones, and potential contaminants could make conception less likely and may even be harmful to a potential fetus.

We should say: Don’t freak out if you’ve eaten any of these things recently—they are not likely cause much harm in moderation. But if you want to be safe, your best bet is to keep these foods to a minimum when you’re trying to get pregnant, and keep them mostly off the list once you get a positive test.

1. High-mercury fish

Mercury can damage the nervous system, which means that consuming mercury-rich seafood like swordfish and tuna while pregnant could directly harm the fetus, says Kendra Tolbert, R.D. (The FDA recently updated its guidelines about safe and unsafe choices; see them here.) Eating high-mercury fish before you’re pregnant could build up stores of mercury in your body, which could also affect the development of the baby’s nervous system. “The fetal nervous system is being formed before most women even know they are pregnant,” explains registered dietitian Suzanne Fisher. Mercury may also decrease fertility.

2. Soda

A few studies have also linked soda—both diet and regular—to lower fertility. “We think it’s a combination of the inflammation and metabolic changes caused by too much blood-sugar-spiking sweeteners and gut-bacteria-changing artificial sweeteners,” says Tolbert. Plus, many soft drinks come in containers that have BPA and other chemicals you might want to avoid.

3. Trans fats

Trans fats, which are found in foods like certain chips or microwave popcorns, baked goods made with shortening, and fried foods, can cause inflammation and insulin resistance, which lowers fertility, says Tolbert. And in excess they can damage your blood vessels, disrupting the flow of nutrients to the reproductive system. Men should also go easy on trans fats while the couple is trying to conceive because they decrease sperm count and quality.

4. High-glycemic-index foods

If you want to increase your fertility, avoid foods that make your blood sugar spike, especially if you’re not pairing them with foods that slow down that rise. “Blood sugar spikes can cause inflammation, alter our hormones, and impede ovulation,” says Tolbert. Try to choose slow-burning carbs, such as whole-wheat bread and pasta or brown rice, over refined ones when possible, and combine them with protein, fiber, and healthy fats.

5. Low-fat dairy

Low-fat milk, yogurt, and other dairy products may contain androgens, male hormones that get left in when fat is removed, says Tolbert. These foods and drinks may spur your body to produce androgens, which can interfere with your menstrual cycle.

6. Excess alcohol

The CDC recommends that women who could get pregnant avoid alcohol entirely (not exactly realistic), but if you’re going to drink, Tolbert suggests capping it at seven drinks per week. Alcohol, like mercury, can contribute to infertility, and it depletes your body of vitamin B, which improves your chances of pregnancy and supports a fetus’ growth.

7. Unpasteurized soft cheeses

Cheeses like Brie, Roquefort, Camembert, and Gorgonzola have a higher risk of containing listeria, which can increase your risk for miscarriage, says Fisher.

8. Deli meat

Processed meat like lunch meat and hot dogs, as well as smoked fish, are also vulnerable to listeria contamination. If you want to eat deli meat, Fisher recommends heating it up until it’s steaming to kill bacteria.

9. Raw animal products

Raw meat, seafood, and eggs might contain salmonella, coliform bacteria, or toxoplasmosis, which can infect a fetus if it passes through the placenta, says Fisher. Make sure to cook all animal products thoroughly, and skip sushi, carpaccios, and the like.



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Meghan Markle Was Reportedly Asked to One Thing to Avoid Upsetting the Queen at Christmas


In bizarre royals news I didn’t see coming, Meghan Markle reportedly has to downplay her charades skills if she wants to stay in Queen Elizabeth II’s good graces at Christmas. Is that the weirdest sentence you’ve ever read? Yup, me too—but this is an actual report published by U.K.’s Sunday Express. Take it with a grain of salt, though, because the outlet only uses “sources” and “insiders” to back up its report.

According to the Sunday Express, the royal family partakes in a friendly game of charades every Christmas night, and Prince Harry has advised Markle to tone down her acting chops so Queen Elizabeth can win. “The duchess has to resist that American urge to win at everything. The whole family likes to play charades on Christmas night, and she must never beat the Queen, who is a fine actress herself,” a source tells the publication.

This is just…a lot to take in. For one, how do we even know that Markle is a master charades player? Just because she played a lawyer with impeccable hair for seven years on Suits doesn’t mean she’s an improv champ (although we’re not ruling it out). Also, if Markle were to win this game…what would the Queen do? Throw down her crown and storm out of the room? Demand a rematch? Scold Markle like the time scolded Prince William? We have questions!

PHOTO: Giphy

That being said, the scene my imagination dreams up of an ultra-competitive Markle actively suppressing some urge to demolish Queen Elizabeth at charades is amazing. Ahh, to be a royal!

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