Maskne is the New Acne: Now What Do I Do
If you're serious about protecting yourself, and others, you've been wearing some type of face mask or facial covering to limit the spread of COVID-19 (corona virus). Although the normalization and consistency of wearing masks is immensely important and suggested, it may have come with a bit of a rebuttal. Maskne is a term to describe the acne caused by our new everyday accessory.
What Causes Maskne?
Any friction and irritation can push bacteria into the skin, creating micro-tears — which allow easier entry for bacteria and dirt — and can lead to inflammation which then drives the acne process. You'll notice these breakouts where the mask sits — the bridge of the nose, chin, and cheeks — and they make take the form of whiteheads, blackheads (if oxidized by the air), or even abrasions and cysts. Masks can also trigger rosacea, perioral dermatitis, irritant dermatitis, contact dermatitis, and skin breakdown.
While masks already trap humidity, dirt, oil, and sweat on a good day, our chin, mouth, and nose area are even more susceptible to breakouts now that summer is here. Maskne is absolutely worse during the summer months as the increased oil production in our pores creates the ideal environment for cysts.
How Can I Avoid Maskne?
1. Consider the type of mask you wear.
Only you can decide how you want to balance the weight of the mask material with the level of protection it will give you, but dermatologists suggest 100 percent cotton as a good compromise, because it allows skin to breathe a bit. As the temperature rises and you sweat more, you’ll need to keep the mask clean.
2. Streamline your skin care routine.
Many of us use too many beauty products anyway, so consider mask wearing a good excuse to adopt the most basic skin care routine:
a. Use gentle non-soap cleanser like my Skin Script Charcoal Clay Cleanser infused with charcoal and kaolin clay to absorb environmental toxins and sebum, remove impurities, and help prevent clogged pores -OR- my Skin Script Green Tea Citrus Cleanser removes excess oils while the green tea antioxidants calm the skin giving it a radiant glow. It also does double-duty by removing makeup and lemon deep cleans while yucca soothes the skin.
b. Apply a mild, fragrance-free moisturizer like my Skin Script Light Aloe Moisturizer which normalizes and hydrates the skin without leaving a heavy feel or film behind. Antioxidants and skin soothing agents minimize irritation and environmental damage -OR – try my Skin Script Cacteen Balancing Moisturizer which will balance surface lipids and water with the healing properties of prickly pear cactus and fatty acids in olive oil. Bisabolol acts as an anti-inflammatory to tooth irritated or sensitized skin.
c. A few of my clients have found that cushioning their skin with a spritz of my Skin Script Cucumber Hydration Toner just before they apply their mask really helps. It is made with heavy water and hyaluronic acid, which holds 1000 times it’s weight in water. This toner plumps and delivers deep moisture to the skin as Omega 6 essential fatty acids calm the skin.
Fewer ingredients are better than more. The moisturizer does double duty here. Besides, well, moisturizing the skin, it can protect it from mask friction. Another reason for using fewer products: The mask will intensify product delivery to your skin. (You’ve seen this side effect of occlusion in action if you’ve ever, say, treated dry, cracked feet by applying Vaseline and wearing socks to bed.), but in the case of products with acids or retinols, which can be irritating, intensifying delivery is not likely to be a good thing.
3. Break up with makeup (at least temporarily).
If you put on makeup for a video call, consider taking it off when you go out. This is the time to really tone it down. For those who absolutely can’t break the habit, a tinted moisturizer with sunscreen is suggested.
How to Treat It if You Get It
If you do end up with Maskne, keep in mind that acne treatments can be irritating and you still need to contend with the continued irritation of the mask. Try using my Skin Script Blemish Spot Treatment on the blemishes. It contains 5% glycolic acid and 1% salicylic acid that quickly shortens the life cycle of blemishes. BST sooths skin irritation, has anti-inflammatory properties, clarifies breakouts, assists in boosting hydration levels, and helps limit scarring.
If what’s on your face looks like more of a rash or “makes you want to scratch your face off”, it’s possible your issue isn’t actually acne. You may have contact dermatitis, which patients get from metal or rubber parts of masks, and some fabrics (which, when washed, may release formaldehyde, an irritant) and dyes. See your dermatologist to treat this.
If You Need to Talk About Skin Solutions
Contact me if you need to talk about what is happening under your mask and we can come up with a home care regimen especially for you. Book your skin care consultation here.
Joy Stiers, Licensed Esthetician
Pure Joy Skin Care & Wax Studio
