Efficacy of a moisturizing cream and facial mask for alleviating skin problems associated with medical mask use: A half-face, randomized controlled study

Background: Prolonged use of medical masks has increased skin-related issues. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of a facial cream and facial mask in mitigating medical mask related skin symptoms. Methods: Healthy women were randomly assigned to apply a facial cream (n = 32) or a facial mask plus a facial cream (n = 32) on half-faces after wearing medical masks for 4 h (T-b). Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), dryness score, and redness area were assessed at T-b and 10 min after using the cream (T-1) in the facial cream group, and at T-b, 1 h after using the facial mask (T-2), and 10 min after using the cream (T-3) in the combined use group. Results: In the facial cream group, the treated half-face showed significantly better improvements from T-b to T-1 in TEWL (-2.95 +/- 0.38 vs. -0.68 +/- 0.35 g/hcm(2), p < 0.001) and skin dryness score (-1.00 +/- 0.12 vs. 0.00 +/- 0.00, p < 0.001). In the combined use group, the treated half-face showed significantly better improvements from T-b to T-2 and T-3 in TEWL (T-2, -3.46 +/- 0.33 vs. -0.09 +/- 0.13 g/hcm(2); T-3, -4.67 +/- 0.31 vs. -0.28 +/- 0.22 g/hcm(2)) and skin dryness score (T-2, -0.63 +/- 0.13 vs. 0.03 +/- 0.03; T-3, -0.94 +/- 0.17 vs. 0.19 +/- 0.07) (all p < 0.001) then the untreated half-face. The combined use group had significantly lower TEWL at T-3 than T-2 (p < 0.05). The reduction in redness area was similar between the treated and untreated half-faces in both groups. Conclusions: The test facial cream and mask significantly improved skin barrier function and alleviated dryness symptoms associated with medical mask use, with the combined use offering superior benefits.