Acne caused by wearing a mask – what can you do about it?

There are lots of causes of breakouts; not washing your face, washing your face too often, hormones, clogged hair follicles and your skin producing too much oil, to mention just a few. But there’s an increasingly common cause: acne caused by wearing a mask.

What is maskne?

As you might have guessed, ‘maskne’ isn’t the technical term – that would be ‘acne mechanica’, which is skin irritation caused by friction. Of course, wearing a mask is crucial to stop the spread of Coronavirus, but one of the drawbacks is that moisture (from coughing, sneezing, breathing and talking), dirt and bacteria get trapped inside the mask, creating a humid environment – exactly the conditions under which acne-causing bacteria flourishes.

So, if you’re fretting about your face and wondering what to do about acne caused by wearing a mask, take a look at some of the solutions offered by these international Instagram influencers.

You might also like: 5 easy face masks you can make at home

The expert advice

 

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😷Wearing a mask makes your skin more susceptible to rashes, inflammation and breakouts. 👌🏼Here are some tips on preventing Maskne (mask acne) and reducing skin irritation: . . 1. 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐲 Wash your face at least twice a day. Use a gentle cleanser if you’re experiencing a lot of irritation. Try a cleanser with acids like Salicylic acid to help unclog pores. . . 2. 𝐌𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞 Moisturising adds a protective layer to your skin. This will help reduce dry and irritated skin and a protective barrier against the mask when it rubs against the skin. Apply moisturiser after washing your face to and before putting on your mask. Make sure the moisturiser is non-comedogenic (doesn’t block pores) and use one that suits your skin type. Oily skin – gel Normal to combination- lotion Dry – cream . . 3. 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞-𝐮𝐩 Wearing Make up under a mask is more likely to cause blocked pores and breakouts. Make sure your make up is non-comedogenic/oil-free. . . 4. 𝐀𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 This might not be the best time to be adding in harsh skincare which could irritate your acne further. This includes exfoliants like acids, retinoids and chemical peels. Keep skincare simple. . . 5. 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐤 😷 Wear a mask that fits properly, if it’s too tight or too loose and keeps moving around it can increase friction and cause more irritation or acne. Choose soft fabric like cotton or silk (3 ply advised). . . 6. 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐤 𝐡𝐲𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐞 Wash or change your mask regularly this removes oil, dirt and dead skin cells which have accumulated on the mask. . . 7. 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭 You may need help with medication to deal with your skin problem which can be prescribed by a dermatologist. . . 🔄 Feel free to share this if you found it helpful 🤗 . Wearing Beautiful batik mask by @zaharahwan #acne #acnetreatment #acneskin #acneskincare #acnepositivity #acnescars #skintype #oilyskin #skincare #skincaretips #maskne #maskacne #dermatology #dermatologist #aesthetic #cosmetic #skinpositivity #skin #skincareroutine #aesthetics #covid #skintips #skincarejunkie #londondermatologist #skinexpert #consultantdermatologist #beauty #bblogger #beautybloggers #drshaairaderm

A post shared by DERMATOLOGIST-Dr Shaaira Nasir (@drshaairanasir) on Aug 15, 2020 at 6:27am PDT

The beauty guru

 

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Mask acne, or mascne, is something I know a lot of us are currently struggling with. Here are a few tips that can help you fight back and put mascne in its place! 👊. Follow @esty_lauren for more skincare tips and tricks!. #mascne #maskne #maskacne #acne #acnetips #acnepositivity #acneremoval #esthetician #estheticianschool #beautyschool #beautytherapist #acneproblems #breakoutskin #acnetips #acnecommunity

A post shared by Lauren | Atlanta Esthetician (@esty_lauren) on Aug 6, 2020 at 5:09am PDT

The beauty writer with a Ph.D

 

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Maskne aka mask acne😷! . Mask in combination with pre-existing acne condition, on top of the additional stress that are caused during this hard time may cause the formation or exacerbation of acne under the mask😷 . Here are some tips on how to minimize the problem along with skincare tips! . Wearing a mask is still compulsory for us to protect ourself and others, despite its unfavorable consequences such as acne. We just have to make sure that we are not doing anything that potentially adds up to the stress on our skin! . #funskincare #maskne #maskacne #mascne #selflove #selfcare #instaskin #skinstagram #loveyourself #kbeautyskincare

A post shared by Claudia Christin (@funskincare) on Jul 3, 2020 at 5:59am PDT