Just when you’ve figured out how to get rid of your acne from puberty and clear your skin, the pandemic shows up and the restrictions present you with more acne. While masks have been helping us keep ourselves and each other from the coronavirus, wearing them for extended periods can make our skin break out.
Causes of Maskne
While wearing masks keeps us safe from the coronavirus, it provides optimum conditions for skin bacteria to breed. This is because everyone sweats more under our masks, making sure that our skin is suffocated and interrupting its normal functions. Letting your skin breathe is integral to helping you have clearer skin. Wearing a mask reduces your skin’s ability to breathe giving rise to acne.
Our pores secrete sebum which our bodies produce throughout the day. This sebum shields our skin and keeps it moisturized. When we wear masks, our pores get clogged with sebum, dead skin, and dirt giving rise to skin breakouts.
Our masks also cause friction. When you combine the friction, sweat, and oil as well as humidity from our breath, the active bacteria can cause acne, rashes, or other skin problems as well as worsen pre-existing skin conditions.
HOW TO PREVENT MASKNE
There are many ways to prevent maskne from taking over the bottom half of your face. Let’s discuss some of them:
Choose your mask carefully
Choosing the right mask for your face might be the first step in preventing maskne. When you wear a fabric mask, ensure that it does not fit too tightly on your skin, has more than one layer of fabric, and is made from natural and soft fabrics. If you are wearing disposable masks, ensure that they fit well to your face. Ensure that your masks are not made from synthetic fibres, especially if your skin is sensitive.
Throw away disposable masks after each use
Apart from the obviously unsafe reason for throwing away disposable masks after each use, you should also consider your skin. A disposable mask is a breeding ground for bacteria and coronavirus. You should definitely keep some fresh disposable masks with you in case you need a clean mask.
Moisturize
Before you put on your mask, you should apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer to your face. This is because moisturizers help to hydrate your skin and possibly create a barrier between your mask and your skin. This will reduce friction further reducing your chances of getting maskne.
Apply an antibiotic cream
Bacteria will build up when you have a mask on. To prevent this build-up and subsequent acne, it has been recommended by dermatologists that you should apply an antibiotic cream to your skin before you put on your mask. The antibiotic cream will protect your skin and potentially kill of some of the bacteria.
Wash your fabric mask after use
Some people reuse their fabric masks before washing. This is counterproductive as it not only exposes you to coronavirus, it also exposes your skin to maskne. Instead, wash your cloth mask after you use it with hypoallergenic detergent and let it dry. Some people would even recommend ironing the mask as a further precaution.
Cleanse your face after taking off your mask
You should cleanse your face when you take your mask off whenever you get home. Wash your face with a gentle facial cleanser and apply a moisturizer afterward. This is particularly important after you have been wearing your mask for a long time.
How to Treat Maskne
Depending on the condition of your skin, maskne can be treated. While it is still important to keep wearing mask doing this pandemic, you can help you skin heal from maskne.
There are many ways to treat Maskne:
Wash your face with a gentle cleanser
Ensure that you wash your face after you take off your mask at home. Use a gentle cleanser and make sure that your skin is clean after a day of sweating under your mask. This will help you get rid of the dirt and grime that will otherwise clog your pores further.
Treat your skin
Do not deviate from your skincare routine. If you do not have one, it’s probably time to establish one. Glycolic and salicylic acid are usually good for clearing acne, so these are products that you might want to add to your routine to help you heal your acne. Consult your dermatologist for any products that you are not sure about.
Eat healthily
Eating healthy and drinking water are the underrated things that you do to help your skin heal. With the necessary foods, your skin will heal and your maskne will clear sooner than later.
Final thoughts
You can control and even completely heal your maskne with the right resources. However, consult your dermatologist or specialist for products for your skin.
Laudee Cosmetics is a producer and retailer of skincare and make-up products to help you look your absolute best. Check us out here.
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