Wearing a face mask is the “new normal” and while there are so many great options to choose from (like this set of 3 cotton masks), face masks are also giving us maskne. Yet another thing we have to worry about now.
What is maskne?
Maskne comes from the word “mask” and “acne” and is a breakout that results from wearing a face mask.
You can experience acne, irritation, rash, or itching (this is a big one for me. My chin gets extremely itchy, every time I’m wearing a mask)
Basically, every part of your face that is covered by a face mask can get irritated and cause acne. Think chin, cheeks, and even the back of the ears where the elastic bands hit.
I wanted to share a few things that work and have helped me deal with maskne.
How to prevent maskne?
+ Keep skin clean. Wearing a mask can clog your pores. All that dirt, oil, and makeup underneath are only going to make things worse. Keeping the skin clean by using a gentle cleanser to wash your face with before and after you wear a face mask can be really helpful when trying to prevent maskne.
+ Less is more when it comes to makeup. I try to not wear any makeup on the bottom part of my face as I don’t want to further clog my pores. If I do wear any makeup, I will use mascara, brow pencil, and maybe concealer.
+ Yes to 100% cotton masks. Cotton is great when trying to prevent maskne because it’s a breathable and light material and allows your skin to breathe.
+ Wash face masks after every use. This is a no-brainer, but I make sure to wash my face masks after each use. This was I’m not putting it back on my face with any dirt and oil left on the mask.
How to get rid of maskne?
Okay, we talked about preventing maskne, but what do you do if you already have acne caused by wearing a face mask.
+ Cleanser. I always go back to this cleanser when I have acne breakouts. It’s non-comedogenic, doesn’t clog the pores, and it’s this gel-like texture, which is lightweight and slightly exfoliating.
+ Clay Mask. Another product that works well for me is a clay mask. I apply it only on the problematic areas (this mask can be very drying, so there’s no need to apply it all over your whole face. Focus on the areas that need some help), and then I make sure to moisturize and hydrate the skin well.
+ Spot treatment. Lastly, this spot treatment from LeRosette works really well. The ingredients are just clay and water, so simple! What I specifically like about this product is that I can use it as a mask, or as a spot treatment, which I usually do. I apply it on any maskne, right before I go to sleep and take it off in the morning. This product tends dry up any pimples and get rid of them a lot quicker.
Morning skincare routine changes when dealing with maskne
While I didn’t necessarily cleanse my face twice a day every day before, now I do. I use a gentle cleanser in the morning, then I follow up with a light serum (I’m currently using this Vitamin C serum), and I apply a light moisturizer (I like this one by Laroche Posay because it’s non-comedogenic and hydrates the skin well). Lastly, I apply sunscreen and wait a few minutes before putting a face mask on.
These are some of the things that work for me. I’d love to hear what works for you when dealing with maskne. What do you do to prevent it and get rid of it?
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