11 of the best silk face masks for soothing for sensitive skin and maskne

October 23, 2020

Face masks are an essential part of modern life, but they don’t come without their potential challenges. For example, glasses wearers have struggled while keeping their lenses steam free, and there are increased levels of ‘maskne,’ after increased mask usage has irritated skin and provoked spots and blemishes. This is where silk face masks come in.

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If you find cotton or fabric masks to be an irritant to your skin, and are experiencing increased levels of breakouts, silk can really come to the rescue. Silk is a super lightweight, non-irritating material, and is already a favourite in beauty for things like pillowcases (so hair stays sleek), and eye masks (so you can have a dark yet comfortable night’s sleep). Many brands have now dabbled with silk face coverings, including Slip, which is best known for its silk pillowcases, scrunchies, and hairbands.

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As well as feeling more comfortable, research has actually found that wearing a silk covering can be especially effective at stopping the spread of viruses. One (preliminary, non-conclusive) study discovered that silk ‘is the most effective at preventing the penetration of droplets, and the least absorptive of water, because of its intensely hydrophobic character compared to the other fabrics tested.’

The study also found that silk is also antimicrobial, antiviral, and antibacterial because of the presence of copper, which is incorporated by animals into their silk. It concluded that ‘silk has untapped potential for use during the current shortage of PPE in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.’

If you’d like to wear a silk face mask, we’ve picked out some of the best ones to buy now.