How To Deal With ‘Maskne’

What is Maskne?

If you are suffering from acne due to wearing a mask, rest assured that you are not alone. Maskne, i.e. mask + acne, is not just a colloquial term but a very common side effect of wearing a mask. 

In this pandemic-stricken world, a mask has not just become a permanent accessory, but also your key armour against deadly COVID-19. However, wearing a mask for several hours at a stretch daily has its own disadvantages. One of the most common fallouts is maskne or acne caused by masks. Skin irritation, redness, bumpiness, pimples and more serious issues like folliculitis and dermatitis, all fall under maskne and are a side effect of wearing a mask.   

Some common skin problems that come under maskne are:

• Blemishes and breakouts: Acne caused by excessive heat, sweat, friction and pressure due to constantly wearing a mask.
• Redness and irritation: Visible redness and irritation of the skin caused especially on the area covered by the face mask.
• Dehydrated and cracked skin: Masking can also result in extreme dehydration of the skin. Skin’s natural moisture evaporates underneath the mask and this can either result in cracking and irritation or can even cause clogged pores due to dead skin cells, resulting in maskne. 
• Atopic eczema: A more serious form of maskne, atopic dermatitis can be contracted by people who have extremely sensitive skin. 

How to treat maskne

To protect yourself and others around you against COVID119, it is essential that you don’t ditch the mask even if you are suffering from maskne. But here’s what you can do to treat it while being masked up. You can buy these products online on Purplle.com

1.Wash Your Face: 

It is most important to keep your face clean. Wash it once in the morning, once at night, and after you remove your mask for the day. Use lukewarm water, and pat dry with a soft cotton face towel. 

2.Use Mild Cleansers:  

Since it is essential to wash your face multiple times due to maskne, make sure that you use a product that’s mild on your skin. Cleansers containing salicylic acid are recommended. Minimalist 2% Salicylic Acid Face Wash is a good option for acne-prone skin. 

Recommended Product:

a) Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 02% Cleanser for Oily / Acne Prone Skin, 100ml

Customer Rating: 4.3 / 5

A face wash that removes excess oil from your skin without making it completely dry. LHA added improves its acne treating and exfoliating properties. Just keeps you fresh and can be you used at any time in a day

Explore: Amazing Products by Minimalist

3.Use Moisturizers: 

It is highly important to keep your skin hydrated if you're suffering from maskne. But make sure that your moisturizer does not leave your skin oily, instead provides it with adequate hydration. Use a non-comedogenic moisturizer that does not block skin pores. Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream works well for maskne prevention.

Recommended Products:

b) Cetaphil Moisturising Cream (80 g)

Customer Rating: 4.4 / 5

Cetaphil Moisturising Cream provides long lasting moisturization with goodness of almond oil and vit E as well as helps retain skin’s natural moisture barrier. It brings moisture to skin and helps in softening and soothing the skin. Activates skin’s natural fats which strengthen skin’s protective barrier and helps to trap moisture in the skin.

Explore: Best Rated Cetaphil Face Moisturizer

4.Spot Treatment: 

Spot correction creams can be used to treat individual active acne. Kaya Purifying Spot Corrector is one such cream that helps in drying out active acne as well as diminishing spots left behind by previous blemishes.

Recommended Product:

c) Kaya Purifying Spot Corrector 

Customer Rating: 3.7 / 5

Helps to dry up acne overnight thus gives instant results on active acne, Reduces irritation on the affected area thus calms inflammation and itchiness around the active acne, Suitable for Acne prone skin with eruptions. Ingredients: Salicylic which targets oil in pores, exfoliates pores and clears the active acne thus giving an acne free skin, Glycolic exfoliates the skin as it penetrates into the skin resulting in smoother and clearer skin

Explore: Top Recommended Kaya Face Cream

5.Seek Professional Help: 

In case your maskne is highly aggravated, please consult a dermatologist and seek drugs for control and prevention. Skin issues are extremely sensitive and professional advice is a must in severe cases.  

How to prevent maskne 

Masks are here to stay, but that does not mean we have to live with maskne. Here are some tips on how to prevent maskne, follow them and keep yourself protected.  

1. Use the right mask: 

Using the right mask can go a long way in preventing maskne. Different materials are meant to benefit different skin types. For example, if you have dry skin, a disposable surgical mask will work best for you. A breathable fabric mask, preferably 100% cotton, suits oily and acne-prone skin the best. 

2. Fit of the mask: 

The perfect fit of a mask is extremely important. Make sure that your mask fits snugly and is not tight, as friction can also cause maskne. Masks should have a wire at the top to prevent air from leaking. 

3. Avoid makeup: 

Try taking a break from applying makeup on your face underneath the mask. Maskne can get aggravated with the use of makeup products, like foundations and concealers, as they block skin pores and do not let the skin breathe. If you are already suffering from maskne, use of makeup products can worsen it. 

4. Maintain hygiene:

 Make sure that you maintain personal hygiene, by keeping your face as well as mask clean. Fabric masks must be washed by non-fragrant detergent after every use. Toss out your disposable masks responsibly after every use. 

5. Avoid touching your face:

 Touching your face repeatedly with unclean hands is a common cause of acne. Make sure that you keep your hands sanitized while wearing and taking off your face mask and avoid touching your face to prevent maskne. 

6. Mask-free minutes: 

 Give your skin a 15-minute, mask-free breather for every 4 hours of wearing a mask. Our skin needs to breathe, and no matter how breathable the fabric of the mask may be, it is still a barrier. Maintain physical distancing during this time.  Another way of keeping acne and skin problems away is keeping our body healthy within, by consuming plant-based supplements. Here are few vegan proteins in india . check them out! Apart from this body acne is another major cause these days, here are few top remedies for body acne.

FAQs 

1. Which kind of mask is the best to avoid maskne?

Masks made of breathable fabric like cotton are safest to prevent maskne. The mask should be made of soft, breathable fabric, and should ideally have at least two layers of fabric. Make sure that you keep your masks clean by washing them after every use. 

2. Are disposable masks better for avoiding maskne?

A: If you have dry skin, then disposable masks are a better option for you. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, cotton cloth masks will help you in avoiding maskne.

3. How can you stop maskne from occurring?

A: Maskne can be avoided by giving your skin a break of 15 mins every 4 hours of wearing a mask. However, make sure that you maintain physical distancing during those mask-free 15 minutes. You should also keep your face clean, moisturized and hydrated at all times underneath the mask.   

 Read More:
- Maskne Is The New Acne - Purplle