Ah, maskne. It’s the word no one expected to be a part of their vocabulary, but a topic that’s very much on many people’s minds in recent years as wearing face coverings has become a part of daily life.
If you’ve been struggling with breakouts or congested pores from your mask and are wondering what you can do to troubleshoot this issue, you’re going to want to keep reading. We’re sharing our favourite skin tips and product picks that can help support your skin!
What causes maskne? For keeping mask acne at bay, it can first be helpful to understand why it happens. While there are a number of factors at play when wearing a mask, the major issue is trapped oil, dirt, and bacteria.
Most face coverings are designed to cling tightly to your face, this leads to these common acne culprits being in close quarters with the skin and working their way into your pores as a result. Then, when you add in the sweat and humidity factors associated with long-term wear, it can create the perfect storm for breakouts and overall irritated, unhappy skin.
This is the bad news, but the good news is that there are things you can do to prevent and treat maskne:
How to support your skin before, during, and after wearing a mask:
● Before you mask - Prior to masking up, remember that cleanliness is key. Choose a new disposable mask or freshly-washed face (fragrance free laundry soap) covering to ensure that no bacteria or other debris is lingering from the day before. You’ll also want to wash your face with a gentle, fragrance free cleanser, apply lightweight hydrating products for protecting the skin’s barrier, and opt for minimal to no makeup in areas that will be covered up.
● While wearing a mask - Throughout the day, if you have the option to change out your mask for a fresh one, this can be especially helpful for keeping your skin clean and preventing a buildup of unwanted irritants. You might also consider refreshing your skin at intervals with a hydrating toner like our Balancing Facial Toner, which contains skin-calming Aloe, Tea Tree floral water to target surface bacteria, and Niacinamide, a natural anti-inflammatory to help strengthen the protective skin barrier.
● Simply, spray the skin under your mask every 3-4 hours and let dry before putting your mask back on.
● After you mask - Last but not least, aftercare is an important aspect of maskne prevention and you’ll need to treat yourself to some proper products post-mask. Remembering that stress is also an enemy to the skin, we suggest taking 10 minutes before 9pm to enjoy your nighttime skincare rituals, followed by a weekly skincare mask like our Restore Exfoliating Mask. This gentle exfoliation treatment is the perfect antidote to struggling skin because it features antioxidant rich Green Tea Extract and Rhassoul clay to help remove surface congestion and to provide your skin with some much-needed TLC.