From a beard’s perspective, 2020 is the year of the “#coronabeard” aka the quarantine beard. It’s been a unique time that has allowed men to try different styles and looks or just concentrate on beard growth. It has also been a time in which the way we dress has fundamentally changed as all people have been advised to wear a mask/face covering when interacting with the outside world. This, in turn, has led to new questions about the effects of masks on beards and beard products such as oil and balm.
First things first, there is no evidence* that having facial hair increases your risk for a Covid-19 infection. As long as you wear a mask/face covering properly and your mouth and nose is covered, your beard or other facial hair will not have any impact on their effectiveness. Practice good hygiene, wash/sanitize your hands often and avoid touching your face.
When you apply beard oil or beard balm, your facial hair and skin immediately begins hydrating your beard as it is absorbed through pores. Wearing a mask on top of a beard that has product applied to it does not disturb this process. You can apply beard oil or beard balm and then wear a mask without worrying about wasting or misusing beard oils/balms.
If anything, wearing a mask throughout the day has made the need for beard product more important than ever. Sweat, dirt, and a lack of breathing are all factors to deal with when wearing a mask. So much so that “Maskne” has become a thing. This is a new term coined regarding acne and irritation caused from wearing a mask. Diggn’It Arabian Beard Oils and Beard Balms nourish and moisturize skin and hair, helping hair grow thicker, prevent breakage, and reduce embrittlement associated with dryness.
There are other things to consider with the mask such as the material it is made from and how dirty it is. A number of people are finding out that they are allergic to their chosen face mask as some are pre-treated with formaldehyde to disinfect them. Also, synthetic fabrics can create a possible reaction while laundering washable masks with heavily scented detergents or softeners can cause itching, redness or rashes. To avoid these issues and stay as healthy as possible, wash your mask with gentle, nonirritant soap after each use and dry it in the dryer. Also, store your fresh masks in a bag to keep them clean and choose a natural fiber-cloth mask and unscented laundry products to help prevent skin irritation or sensitivity.
* Given coronavirus’ novelty, we are learning new things about it everyday. Diggn’ It will update this article as research continues and updates occur.