Maskne: Acne and skin irritation caused by long hours of mask wearing.

Who would’ve thought 2020 would bring us a new skincare problem to worry about?

Masks are necessary for reducing the spread of Covid-19, especially if we hope to go back to enjoying our favorite ‘non-social distancing’ pastimes like concerts and sporting events. Unfortunately, while we wear masks to protect ourselves and others, masks can do a number on our skin and cause breakouts hence the name ‘maskne’. 

Heat and friction that occur under our masks are the cause for our skin issues. As we breathe and talk our masks trap heat which creates a humid environment - the perfect climate for bacteria to grow. All of this amounts to irritation, rashes, and acne.

As our skin takes one for the team while we protect ourselves and others when wearing masks, we can try our best to treat it with kindness. Here are some things you can do right now to help your maskne situation:

1. The type of masks matters

Depending on the fabric your mask is made from, you can be more prone to skin problems developing. Cotton is the best type for your skin, especially during the summer on these hot sunny days where one step out the door causes you to instantly start sweating. And they’re recommended by dermatologists! 

Cotton masks are soft and breathable which will reduce the risk of ‘maskne’ and allow for you and your skin to stay comfortable. 

2. Less makeup = Less breakouts

Another huge change no one saw coming a few months ago: lipstick sales are down. With masks covering half our face, many are now changing up their makeup routines to adapt. As fun as makeup is, it’s less enjoyable now when we go about our day and increasingly start to notice how uncomfortable the bottom half our skin gets underneath our masks. 

Sweating underneath our masks is normal but increases our chances of ‘maskne’ when we have makeup on. Makeup mixed with sweat equals a recipe for disaster aka clogged pores. 

Take this time as an opportunity to take a break from foundation and concealer to give your skin the chance to breathe. But this doesn’t necessarily mean a complete end to makeup. You can try out new bold eyeshadow looks or focus on perfecting your best skincare routine.

3. Moisturizing is key

The key to protecting our skin is as simple as applying moisturizer every morning and night. By moisturizing, we reduce our risk of dry skin. Dry skin leads to higher production of oils which then leads to oily skin which then leads to more breakouts. Not a fun path to go down!

Using serums also helps in moisturizing your skin while creating a protective barrier which helps fight against skin irritants. Serums with hyaluronic acid, like our Silk Slip Serum, helps boost moisture and create a healthy skin barrier.

4. Cleanse, cleanse, cleanse

Now more than ever, cleansing is the most important tool in fighting ‘maskne’. In addition to washing your face morning and night, start cleansing your face after wearing a mask. Use micellar water to cleanse your skin, like our very own micellar water Clean Slate. Or if you sweat quite a bit underneath your mask, wash your face with a mild cleanser.

5. Treat yourself to a facial

To fight off against ‘maskne’, facials are essential. They not only exfoliate your skin, they also hydrate your skin. There are various facials to try out and each with their own perks.

Clay facials absorb oil to fight against acne and dry skin. Hydration facials increase blood circulation to give your skin a brighter appearance. Sugar wax exfoliates and hydrates your skin to give it a smooth, glowing look. You can watch a sugaring facial demo here.

6. Hydrate

And last but not least, hydrate! It’s easy to forget to stay hydrated but there's lots of tricks to remind us to drink lots of water. Set a daily reminder on your phone, add fruit to your water, or carry around a marked water bottle. Hydration is key to a healthy body and healthy skin!

Self-care has never been more important. Keep glowing!