Perhaps you’ve noticed you’ve been breaking out more around your jaw line, across the bridge of your nose, all over your chin, and around your cheeks a little more viciously than normal. Basically anywhere under where your mask lays on your face.
That my friend, is maskne.
Stylized Maskne. Maybe the new concealer trend?
So what is it?
Maskne, or scientifically dubbed, “acne mechanica” is acne caused by the friction of fabric against the skin. If you’re an athlete you’ve probably experienced these types of breakouts. Since masks are a new necessity with the outbreak of COVID-19, forgive us - we’re just now catching up.
Maskne can also be caused by the compound of excess moisture, sweat, dead skin cells, and oils trapped underneath our masks. Coupled with the heat and humidity of the summertime, this makes it damn near difficult for our skin to breathe. The friction of masks on our skin can also break down the skin’s barrier, making it more sensitive and lowering its ability to retain moisture from our skin care.
So what can I do?
*FULL DISCLOSURE: I am not a licensed esthetician or dermatologist, so if you have any questions about your skin type or are thinking of trying a new product, consult a medical professional. I’m just a makeup artist who loves skin care, and learned myself a thing or two.
1) Cleanse regularly
Use a mild cleanser that isn’t heavy with fragrance or foams up so that you won’t strip your skin’s barrier further (bonus points if it has acne fighting ingredients like salicylic acid. My current favorite is Murad’s Time Release Acne Cleanser). In between your trips outside, use a micellar water after your mask comes off. This will help to prevent buildup on your skin without over washing your face.
2) Keep your daytime skincare routine sweet and simple
Because the skin under our masks are unable to breathe, it’s best to keep the products to a minimum. Unfortunately, your tried and true 10-step skincare routine is probably overwhelming your skin and doing more harm than good with the restricted air flow. Keep your day time routine minimal, and use products that have a lightweight formulation. I’ve been dipping a lot into my water gel moisturizers, like the Belief Aqua Bomb Aloe Vera and the Moisturizing Eye Bomb. They absorb quickly into my skin and don’t leave a thick layer of product (if you’re particularly dry or need a little extra moisture, try spritzing with a face mist, like the Rosewater from Heritage Store before you leave your house). Save your active ingredients like retinol, AHAs, or BHAs for your nighttime routine.
3) Skip your makeup. Sincerely, a makeup artist.
Makeup is another layer that you can probably do without. If you wear makeup, not only will it likely rub off on your mask, but it’s just another layer of stuff getting trapped underneath. It’s also a really easy way to contaminate those cute masks you’ve been rocking. One positive of having to wear masks regularly is that the bottom half of your face is covered! If you absolutely can’t go without makeup, try opting for a tinted moisturizer, all the better if it has SPF. A popular choice is the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, great for its lightweight formula.
4) Be mindful of the masks you choose
Cotton masks are the best option for breathability. They’re also easy to clean, super durable, and less likely to irritate your skin.
5) Mask Maintenance
You masks should be washed as often as possible. Try to have several in rotation so while one is in the wash or you’re waiting for it completely dry, you aren’t left without one. Be mindful of the detergent or soap you’re using to wash your masks too. Try to use a detergent without dyes or fragrances, as these ingredients can sit in the fabric that’s rubbing and pressing against your skin.
6) Treat Maskne at night
Topical treatments are a great option for targeting those pesky friends that have popped up on your face. Some of my favorites are the Peace Out Acne Healing Dots, Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion, or your favorite retinol cream as a spot treatment (mine is the Drunk Elephant A-Passioni). You can also incorporate skincare products with AHAs. AHAs, or alpha hydroxy acids, help exfoliate the skin’s surface on a molecular level. This is beneficial because it helps your skin to rid itself of all the nastiness on its surface, but also exfoliating the top layers away help your skin to absorb your moisturizer more effectively.
7) Be kind to yourself
At the end of that day, we are going through a global pandemic. We are all anxious and stressed to a certain degree. Our “normal “ is in flux and we are all just trying to get through this. Please take care of yourself through your diet, getting plenty of sleep, drinking lots of water, taking time out to do something you love, or whatever self-care looks like to you. Your skin will bounce back and acne is t e m p o r a r y.
I hope y’all found this helpful. If you have any tips or tricks that worked for you, please share with a comment below! Otherwise, might I suggest covering breakouts with little pink hearts?