Oh, masks! There's been so much talk about them in recent months, and so much confusing information we've received . We confess that we ourselves were confused at first and had to do our research to offer you safe products that also wouldn't put further environmental pressure on the planet.

Today we want to give you four reasons why you should use reusable hygienic masks. In reality, these reasons are just an excuse. Our goal is to create a comprehensive post on the use of masks, once and for all, to resolve all your questions about them, so you can refer back to it whenever you need.

Here are 4 reasons to use reusable hygienic masks :

1. They are safe

Yes, they are safe , or at least those made correctly. To ensure this, they must be manufactured according to the specifications of UNE 0065/2020 , which establishes the minimum criteria for considering hygienic and reusable masks safe for users.

Before continuing, let's clarify some concepts regarding the types of masks that exist .

• Self-filtering masks or PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

They are known as FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3.

Those without a valve provide protection from the inside out and from the outside in . That is, they protect the wearer from possible infection and also protect those who interact with them. Those with a valve protect the wearer but not those who interact with them.

These masks are the ones that should be worn by healthcare personnel who care for infected or suspected infected people , as well as their caregivers .

They are not reusable.

• Surgical masks

These are medical devices and are the most commonly used by professionals and the general public. The government has regulated their prices, and they are readily available in pharmacies and supermarkets.

They offer protection from the inside out . That is, they protect anyone who interacts with the wearer from possible contagion.

They are recommended for use by healthcare personnel (who may be infected without knowing it) and those who are infected or suspected of being infected.

They are not reusable.

• Hygienic masks

They should be understood as a complement to social distancing and proper hand hygiene measures .

They offer protection from the inside out . That is, they protect anyone who interacts with the wearer from possible contagion.

They are recommended for use outside of healthcare settings by healthy people who are not suspected of being infected . Why is this? Because, generally, their filtering capacity is somewhat lower than that of surgical masks. But this is not always the case. A hygienic mask, upon first use, may have a higher filtering capacity than a surgical mask. With washing, it gradually loses very small percentages of that capacity.

They are the only type of masks that can be reusable . Each manufacturer, if subject to UNE 0065/2020 regulations , must indicate how long the mask should be used, when it should be disposed of, and how it should be washed.

There are homemade hygienic masks that aren't made under these regulations, which doesn't mean they aren't effective. We simply can't be sure of that. They could be as effective as those manufactured under these standards, but we can't know for sure because they weren't manufactured in compliance with technical controls or passed laboratory tests.

The hygienic masks we sell at Alma Eko are manufactured under the UNE 0065/2020 standard . It has a initial filtering efficiency of 98.91% (higher than the minimum required for surgical masks in the UNE-EN 14683:2019+AC:2019 standard) , which can be reduced to 90.39% after 5 washes at 60*C, as established in the laboratory report .

Let's summarize everything we've said so far in the following table to make it clearer:

* Except those with a valve

** Depends on the manufacturer

Really, there's much more depth and nuance to go into, but we don't believe it's necessary, and including more information here could be confusing, when in fact, our goal is just the opposite: to clarify concepts. In any case, if you have any questions, you can ask us and also consult this guide on masks prepared by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

2. They care for the environment

You've already seen that the only reusable masks are hygienic masks, and they're the ones most people should be using . Surgical masks and PPE should be used by healthcare workers, caregivers, and people who are infected or suspected of being infected. Furthermore, these two types of masks, which are disposable , are made from petroleum derivatives and are not recyclable . We already know what that means: enormous environmental pressure in manufacturing, distribution, and waste management.

Can you imagine the amount of waste and polluting gases we would save the planet if all healthy people wore reusable hygienic masks?

3. They are better for your economy

Using reusable masks saves you money . It makes sense, right? They're a bigger investment initially, but they last much longer in the long run.

Let's do the math:

• Surgical masks have a maximum controlled price of €0.96.
• Reusable masks come in a variety of prices. The ones we have at Alma Eko cost €12.90.
• For the price of one mask at Alma Eko, we can buy 13 hygienic masks. But how many times can our mask be used? Much more. It depends on how you use it and how you wash it, but the manufacturer doesn't recommend disposing of it until you find any damage. We've been using them since May, and we assure you they've been used well beyond 50 times and are still in perfect condition.

And a thought: even if you could only use it 13 times, don't you think the environment would thank you for it?

4. They benefit your health

We've already told you that surgical and self-filtering masks contain petroleum derivatives. This, along with the humidity generated in the area, creates a wonderful breeding ground for bacteria that can affect our mucous membranes and skin.

Especially in those with sensitive skin, it has been seen that they easily cause irritation and even wounds with the hardest metal parts.

Many of the reusable masks , and certainly the ones we sell at Alma Eko, are made with materials that are kinder to our skin. Specifically, the Verdonce brand, which we sell, is handmade with Lyocell , a natural and sustainable fabric made from cellulose.

Are you convinced by everything we've told you? Switch to reusable masks! Do it safely and improve your health, the planet's, and your wallet's. No excuses!