In an age of disinformation and cheap talk it can be difficult to separate accurate, scientifically sound information about health and beauty from the proliferation of hyperbole and marketing scams that abound. Thankfully, The Guardian recently ran an excellent article that cleared up the silk face mask debate as successfully as the masks themselves can clear up your skin after taking a battering from synthetic fabric options. In the article itself, columnist Sali Hughes recants a conversation with top Manhattan dermatologist Dr Dendy Engelman. In it Dr Engleman recommends a switch to silk face coverings wherever possible to avoid the phenomenon the Dr coined as “maskne” – face acne caused by mask-wearing. This switch to silk also helps eliminate other skin irritation.
You need not break the bank, either, when it comes to silk face masks. There are some excellent examples on the market and from UK companies, too, for less than £25. While this may seem like a lot to spend on a face mask, just think for a second how much you might spend on products to clear up or cover skin blemishes and it’ll seem a lot more reasonable. In addition, you need to consider that the use of face coverings may well be a long term thing and there certainly seems no sign of their use being phased out in the near future. You only have one face, so it’s wise to treat it nicely! Silk is trending in the beauty industry just now and experts on hair are recommending silk turbans for protecting hair prone to damage and dryness, while skincare experts have long waxed lyrical over the benefits of silk pillowcases for reducing the friction on the skin caused by lying in bed. Silk is naturally hypoallergenic, so causes less skin problems than virtually all other fabrics, making it the ideal candidate for putting on your face for potentially long periods of time, on many days each month.
In addition to the fact that silk face masks are better for your skin, they are also supremely comfortable – especially compared to synthetic fabrics, but even compared to high quality cotton face masks. New York dermatologist Dr Howard Sobel also makes it very clear that both “high thread count cotton and natural silk can effectively filter out particles”, so there is no worry over silk being an effective barrier to virus particles. It is important to wash your mask (be it cotton or silk) after each use, so having at least two face coverings to alternate is highly recommended to avoid overuse of a single mask.
So, the jury makes its decision on silk face coverings and the verdict is unanimously positive on all fronts. Silk is indeed better for the skin and certainly top of the tree for comfort. Anyone with sensitive skin should not even think twice before getting a couple of silk face coverings, while retail workers who have to wear face masks for long hours each day would be wise to make the investment too. For everyone else, having comfort and better skin should not be considered a luxury.
