How to Prevent Maskne
What a crazy year it’s been! I never thought I’d be writing a post on this topic, sign of the times, eh? Acne is something many people suffer from, but definitely did not think there would be a new category called maskne. If we can predict anything for the rest of 2020, it’s that masks will be part of the norm for the foreseeable future. While wearing a mask can help reduce the spread of COVID-19, it can also increase your chances of getting maskne. Taking care of yourself (and skin!) is now more important than ever.
I recognize I’m fortunate to not only have a job during this time, but be able to work from home. Wanted to take a moment to thank all the essential workers out there on the front lines, y’all the real MVPs. Oh and this post is not meant to be political - science, by nature, is not political xo
Why do masks cause congestion and acne?
To keep it simple, excess oxygen + moisture = bad combo. The extra moisture from breathing into your mask all day plus bacteria on the mask creates the perfect storm for acne. Similar to when people constantly rest their chin on their hands, or football players who breakout from their chin strap. If you’ve got something dirty pressed up against your skin all day, unfortunately it’s easy to get breakouts from it. So if you can, take a mask break to let your skin breath for a little.
Before you put your mask on
Make sure your mask is clean. This is a big one, I mean you wouldn’t wear the same pair of underwear without washing amiright? I have a few cotton masks that I keep on rotation and supplement with disposable masks if they aren’t clean.
Use a disposable mask if available. Obviously reusable masks are more eco friendly, but understand they don’t make sense for everyone to use. A fresh mask will be the best option for cleanliness.
Find a mask that’s gentle on your skin. Cotton is the most gentle and breathable, I really like this one. You want a mask that will stay put and not tug on the skin. Snug, but comfortable is the best fit. Plus, the less you’re touching your mask means less bacteria being spread around.
Think twice about face makeup. Again, never thought I’d be saying think twice about wearing makeup lol! The less that’s on your skin the better, so if you can skip the face makeup (or wear less). Smizing has never been more important, so don’t skimp on that eye makeup honey!
Once you’re done for the day
Double cleanse! Hopefully you’re already doing this but if not this is the first step in upping your skincare routine to prevent acne. This ensures your skin is actually clean and rid of all the bacteria and makeup from the day. Full post on the benefits of double cleansing here.
Use targeted acne fighting products. In general, I think it’s good for everyone to have these acne fighting products woven into their skin repertoire. All powerful and effective on their own and these should not be layered at the same time:
Retinol - Primarily known for its anti aging effects, retinol also majorly helps with unclogging pores which helps fight congestion and acne breakouts. My favorite one here. If you haven’t been using retinol, make sure to ease into using 1-2x week until your skin adjusts. I see too many people start off using it every night which is a big mistake. Pure retinol is so effective but powerful. Proceed with intention and caution!
Salicylic Acid - A powerful BHA best known for its acne fighting ability. Zaps away acne bacteria while gently exfoliating your skin to give you that glowy look. My favorite salicylic treatment is this one. I like using a toner because I can still easily layer other serums on top.
Benzoyl Peroxide - Another way to fend off acne bacteria. My favorite acne cleanser is this one. It’s not harsh or drying and rotate this in as the second step in my double cleanse.
Vitamin C - If you’re like me and have some acne scarring, vitamin C during the day will do wonders. Packed with antioxidants, vitamin C also brightens and helps fade discoloration from scarring.
Aztec Clay Mask - This mask has been talked about everywhere, and I can say it’s worth the hype! Using calcium bentonite clay, this mask helps detox the skin. The perfect combo to activate this is mixing with apple cider vinegar which helps to calm and purify the skin. The perfect starter kit here. Pro tip - Use a towel to wash off the mask. Too much of this going down the drain can cause a clog!
Keep it simple. No time for fussy skincare routines when your skin is already under distress. Not the time to introduce any aggressive new treatments, rather stick to tried and true ingredients that will help your skin. But of course do you, boo. xo