If you’re suffering from maskne we have some tips that can help. Image via Adobe Stock.
As face masks or coverings have become part of our daily life many people are finding their skin is breaking out around the area the mask is covering, leading to ‘maskne’. Masks or face coverings can cause friction and heat on the skin and when combined with a moist environment, such as breathing, talking or coughing – this is a recipe for clogged pores and breakouts. However, there are certain things you can do to prevent and treat maskne, starting with these five simple steps.
Consider the type of mask you wear
Dermatologists recommend you use a 100% cotton reusable mask as a good compromise if you can as they allow your skin to breathe better.
Wash your mask regularly
Make sure you are washing your mask regularly. With summer on the way and the temperatures starting to rise, we tend to sweat more, so all of that dirt, oil and sweat from our face is being transferred to our masks and if we don’t wash them often enough we will be transferring it back onto our faces. And if your mask is disposable, make sure you are changing it regularly too.
Avoid wearing makeup in the masked area
Now is the time to really tone down your makeup routine. Consider going sans foundation whenever you need to go out and wear a mask. A good compromise if you can’t bear going without anything on at all, opt for a tinted moisturiser or bb cream and don’t forget the SPF!
Use an antibacterial toner
A good preventative trick is to spray a layer of antibacterial toner on your face before you wear your mask. This will help to sterilise the area and give you a layer of protection.
Don’t over-wash your face
If you have broken out with maskne, your initial reaction might be to wash your face more but in fact, over-washing can strip the natural oils from the skin and actually be more detrimental to the skin. The rule of thumb is to make sure you wash your face in the morning and especially at night to remove dirt and sweat build up and stick to exfoliating once a week during the breakout to avoid aggravating it even more.
For more tips on how to treat a breakout or skin purge, you can check out our article here.