According to the CDC, medical professionals in high-risk environments regularly wear N95 and KN95 masks while at work. Although these types of masks are available for purchase online, they are difficult to obtain through authorized brands, and doctors also claim that these high-grade masks are unnecessary if you are not in a high-risk environment. In fact, if the medical experts we consulted do not stick to their practices, they like to use non-medical face masks, including reusable and disposable models.
To find out what face masks the pros wear, we consulted eight medical experts about their favorite masks, ranging from high-fashion sewing masks to antimicrobial and antibacterial.
Konstantin Vasyukevich, managing director, prefers to wear these “stylish, comfortable and durable” face masks from Jaanuu, which, according to medical scrubs, are a “respected brand within the medical community.” For Konstantin, a certified double-plate plastic surgeon in New York City, breathing is critical and he told us that the face mask’s moisturizing substance is ‘perfect’ – especially during long days of surgery. He added that the set of antimicrobial properties of the mask is a ‘game changer’. You can get the masks in packs ranging from five piece to 5000.
Sumayah Jamal, MD, PhD, is looking for face masks with ‘enough breathing room’ like the moisturizing Fydelity mask. The board dermatologist of Schweiger Dermatology Group said that this two-layer mask offers a very good fit that does not keep slipping down or slipping. It also has an adjustable nose bridge and earmuffs, plus a chin cup, which prevents your mask from rising.
Caroline Robinson, MD, a certified dermatologist, likes to wear Evolvetogether face masks when she is in the office for administrative work and opt for surgical masks or N95s when she visits patients. She is a fan of the three-layer masks because it has a water-resistant outer layer, a melting blue center and a water-absorbent inner layer, which is ‘ideal for the office as well as when I walk around for messages.’ Store readers have also shown great interest in Evolvetogether’s throwaway masks in adults and toddlers.
Robinson also has ‘the love’ for wearing Second Wind face masks because they are ‘functional and fit well on the face and nose without sacrificing style’. The brand makes 100 percent silk and linen face masks with 100 percent organic cotton lining. You can put a face mask filter with activated carbon in the inside pocket for extra protection. These chic face masks boast adjustable ear straps for safety and are available in three sizes: small, medium and large.
These ‘soft’, satin-lined face masks are recommended by Robinson, who also prefers masks made from other natural and breathable materials such as cotton and satin. Because satin is a smooth material, it is less likely to cause friction and irritation for those with sensitive skin. “It’s so important to find a mask that you feel comfortable in, because once the mask is applied, you should avoid touching it and adjusting it,” Robinson explained, which will adjust the riots for the best fit.
Dendy Engelman, managing director, pulls on BaubleBar and Love Shack Fancy face masks because they are much nicer than the N95s I wear for my job. Engelman, a dermatologist and a Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue, only uses reusable face masks in two coats. BaubleBar cotton masks have adjustable slides on the earlobes for extra comfort and come in trendy prints and color strips, such as the sequin and mini flower set and black flower and pink set. They also make face masks for kids and face mask chains that you can buy in advance or yourself.
Hadley King, MD, a certified dermatologist in New York City, loves the watch the makeup-free organic bamboo face mask from makeup artist Jenny Patinkin. Another attractive aspect for King is that these hypoallergenic face masks have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties according to the brand. King also appreciates the double layering and the adjustable laces to ensure a good fit.
Another good face mask for King is the lightweight and stretchy face masks from the medical clothing brand Fig. According to the brand, this mask consists of two layers of moisture-wicking FIONx material made with antimicrobial technology. King also appreciates the adjustable nose wire “to ensure a good fit” along with the slot for replaceable PM2.5 BFE-enabled filters. The face masks are available in two sizes – S / M and L / X – the latter can be layered over an N95 if you want to double mask.
Joshua Zeichner, MD, relies on these face masks when he is active or exercising in New York, because they are made from a breathable, silver-added substance that dries quickly and has antimicrobial properties. In addition, it is hypoallergenic, which is “useful even if you have sensitive skin.” Another important selling point for the dermatologist who is certified is that it offers UV protection and is comfortable – ‘like masks for relaxation, these masks can be worn all day’, he said.
Zeichner can also be found wearing these ‘big’ black face masks in his daily life. They were developed with Chris Tomassian, a dermatologist living in Kansas City, Kansas. According to the brand, the two-layer masks are made with 100 percent Oeko-Tex-certified cotton applied with an antimicrobial spray to prevent overgrowth of microorganisms. You can also find the LA mask in different colors including Shibori and Woodstock.
Monica Grover, DO, MS, a double-board certified gynecologist at VSPOT Sexual Health Spa, likes to double up with a surgical mask and cotton mask on top. “Any cotton mask on its own does not provide optimal protection, so if I wear a surgical mask underneath, I can be safe and fashionable,” she said. Although Grover is not part of specific brands all the time, she will sometimes order face masks for children so that they can fit securely over the nose and chin bridge. Based on this preference, we recommend VIDA Protective Masks, the no. 1 top-selling face masks we covered in 2020, and the brand makes them into regular toddlers and adults to fit your face shape. The three-layer face masks are equipped with a PM2.5-activated carbon filter with five layers to capture particles.
Recently, Ellen Marmur, MD, said she sports disposable surgical masks while doing her practice in Manhattan. Although she keeps a full pack of N95, KN95, disposable and reusable face masks on deck, her current favorites are lycra-like face masks from Costco. The board-certified dermatologist and founder of MMSkincare finds them shaped and ‘super soft’ on her ears. These reusable face masks are treated with UPF50 +, which provides an extra layer of sun protection. They are also made of Oeko-TEX material that moisturizes and is two-layer.
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