In the time of COVID-19, wearing face masks is a must. There’s no way around it: to protect yourself and others, the mask has to stay on. But there can be some side-effects from wearing a mask so often that we’re not used to, including acne from masks. Regular acne is bad enough, right? And since there’s no workaround for wearing the mask, instead, we’ve got a workaround to prevent acne from masks.
What is maskne?
Maskne is exactly what it sounds like; an acne breakout from wearing a mask. As it turns out, stopping acne from wearing masks isn’t hard or expensive. All you need to do is follow a few simple steps, and you’ll be keeping the acne away no problem!
So check out our guide on how to prevent mask acne, pronto. Wearing a mask is mandatory, but it doesn’t have to be painful, after all!
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Makeup that is concealed under fabric can cause acne from masks. Even if makeup is part of your daily routine, you may want to consider skipping it, especially on parts of your skin that go under the mask. Makeup under a mask is more likely to clog your pores!
Clean your face every day to fight maskne.
It can be as simple as gentle, daily skin care; when you wash your face, make sure you’re using a mild cleanser that suits your skin type.
You’d be shocked how even a simple cleanse can help prevent mask acne.
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If you use aftershave, retinoid on your face, or leave-on salicylic acid, all of that can irritate your skin and cause breakouts. Cut back on the amount that you use these!
There’s also acne treatment gel.
This Differin gel clears out acne where it starts and prevents new breakouts from forming. Use this in combination with the other tips on this list, and you’ll be acne-free.
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Protect your lips.
Your skin isn’t the only part of your face that could be damaged from maskne. Your lips can easily become chapped from wearing a mask all day.
By applying petroleum jelly, you can prevent the chapped lips that so often result from wearing a mask for extended periods. Apply it after washing your face, and before you put on the mask.
Not every mask will work for every person. Some masks will work better for you than it might other people. It’s important to try out different kinds of masks that will help you best fight maskne.
There are certain masks that’ll suit you better than others. Get one that offers two layers of fabric and a snug but comfortable fit; you’ll want fabric that’s soft but breathable, like cotton, on the inside layer.
These masks are perfect.
Not all masks are made the same. Some masks are built in a way that helps prevent mask acne.
They’ve got three layers: the outer layer is polyester, and the inner two are cotton blends that are soft and breathable against the face, so it won’t get irritated.
While you should always wear a mask when social distancing isn’t possible, taking a mask break when alone is an excellent way to prevent maskne.
Only do this when it’s safe to, of course, but it’s been proven that a 15-minute mask break every 4 hours can do wonders to prevent maskne breakouts on your skin.
A mask that is worn regularly will quickly become dirty. A dirty mask can lead to clogged pores and maskne. To prevent acne from masks, make sure to wash your mask regularly.
Cleaning your mask effectively will depend on the material it’s made of. However, most masks can be washed in a similar way in order to fight acne from masks. You should make sure you’re washing your cloth mask after every use in hot water, and use hypoallergenic laundry detergent.
There is no one size fits all treatment for maskne. However, now that you know how to treat maskne, you’ll be able to fight off breakouts caused by masks. It may take trying a few different methods before you find the method that most effectively fights mask acne for you. But no matter what you do, stay safe and continue to wear a mask!