What is it and how do we prevent it?
What is maskne?
Maskne is fairly new term, coined due to the covid-19 pandemic. It describes a breakout caused by the usage of a face mask.
These types of breakouts are easily identifiable because they only occur in the areas of the face protected by a face covering or mask (the chin, nose and mouth).
Is maskne different to normal acne?
Yes, it can be because they are caused by different things. Maskne can happen to anyone whereas, normal acne is caused by an imbalance in your hormones. However, the treatments are similar.
Maskne is the direct result of a physical disruption of the skin.The constant rubbing of material against the skin can result in micro-tears, which leads to bacteria, dirt and oil easily entering underneath the surface and clogging up pores.
Due to the nature of face masks skin cells that would usually be shedding throughout the day are trapped on the surface and have nowhere to go.
How do you treat maskne?
Wash your mask – to prevent the build-up of bacteria.
Check your face mask size – avoid unnecessary friction by choosing one that covers your nose and mouth without being too tight or too loose.
Products – try to avoid heavy makeup that will clog up your skin and use non-comedogenic moisturisers underneath your mask for a gentle barrier betwenn your skin and the mask.
Wash and exfoliate -gently wash and exfoliate your face in the morning and evening to make sure as much build up from the day is removed.
