What is Maskne and 4 Steps to Treat Acne Caused by Face Masks
Acne may be more prevalent in your life for many reasons these past few months. Stress-induced acne is a real thing. As is acne from a change in diet or increase in sugar, which I think most of us can relate to these days. But acne related to mask-wearing is likely something you haven’t had to consider before.
Here’s a new word for you: maskne. Maskne shows up as little pimples after wearing your medical, cloth, or even paper face masks to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Maskne is caused by a combination of the breakdown of the skin’s barrier, from the friction of the mask rubbing against the skin and the humid air recirculating underneath the mask. The skin gets irritated, the pores get clogged, and sebum and bacteria increase under the skin.
4 Simple Steps to Get Rid of Maskne
Simplify
Simplify your skincare routine and use gentle ingredients to avoid further irritation. Read How to Simplify Your Skincare Routine and Have Glowing Skin.
Hydrate!
Many people with acne do not want to moisturize, but this is a big mistake. Moisturizer calms the skin and provides a protective barrier.
Wash your mask!
If you are wearing a cotton mask, treat it like underwear and wash frequently.
Check Your Detergent
Stick to fragrance free laundry detergent. Fragrance within fabric can be an irritant, so you definitely don’t want it on your face.
In addition to a good quality skincare regimen (find yours here), you’ll want to supplement with a few products to help purify your pores and calm your skin.