Have you experienced regular acne breakouts on your face and in particular on your chin and cheeks? Then this might be due to wearing a face mask all day long. If you’re in a field of work where wearing a face mask all day is required, you will likely notice that your skin under the mask is getting irritated or is breaking out. To minimise or get rid of Maskne, we have assembled the best tips for you to try out.
How does Maskne happen?
Maskne combines the two words ‘mask’ and ‘acne’, which stands for acne breakouts as a result of wearing a face mask for a long period of time. If you’re working in retail, healthcare or public transport, the chances of you wearing a face mask all day are high. First of all, it’s important to change your face masks regularly, to protect yourself from the coronavirus as well as taking better care of your skin. During the day, we collect bacteria in our face masks, which results in acne breakouts or irritated skin. To prevent this, you should wear a fresh face mask every day but preferably even every few hours. This way, you minimise the risk of getting Maskne.
How to get rid of Maskne
Are you one of the unlucky ones and is your face covered in impurities after a long day of work? There’s no need to worry, as there are many products specifically formulated to target Maskne challenged skin. With Maskne, the skin around your chin and cheeks is likely producing more sebum which then results in more acne breakouts.
By cleansing your face twice daily, you minimise the risk of getting Maskne or you can get rid of it more easily. Using a cleanser both during your morning and evening skincare routine helps to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores. The Obagi CLENZIderm M.D.® Daily Care Foaming Cleanser is a gentle facial cleanser that can be used twice daily for every skin type. This Obagi cleanser uses 2% Salicylic Acid, a type of BHA, to help effectively clear clogged pores to reduce the likelihood of spots or Maskne. After using the cleanser, your skin will be clean and refreshed, without feeling dry, tight or flaky.
After exfoliating, it’s important to hydrate your skin thoroughly without clogging the pores. Use a noncomedogenic moisturiser such as the Obagi Daily Hydro-Drops™ Facial Serum. This lightweight facial serum is ideal for all skin types, won’t block pores and leaves the skin feeling hydrated and smooth. Always make sure to protect your skin against UV rays after exfoliating, as your top skin layer is washed away which makes your skin more vulnerable to sun damage. Apply sunscreen, preferably with SPF 50, every single day to keep your skin healthy and undamaged.
Other ways to avoid Maskne
Another way to minimise Maskne is avoiding direct contact between your face mask and your skin. There are now sheet masks available for the lower part of your face that can be worn after wearing a face mask. These sheet masks are specifically designed to target Maskne and are often formulated with salicylic acid to bust blemishes, exfoliate the skin, and prevent clogged pores.
By combining a purifying exfoliator, a lightweight facial moisturiser and a sheet mask once a week, you will quickly notice an improvement in your skin. Let’s not define our face masks determine what our skin looks like!