We all know that wearing a mask helps prevent and limit the spread of COVID-19, but we also see that mask use can, over time, lead to the dreaded condition known as “maskne.” As the name suggests, maskne is acne that’s caused by wearing a face mask. Those dealing with a maskne problem have reported having more oil on their face, more breakouts, and an increase in bacteria on the skin.
Those with sensitive skin, dry skin, or other skin conditions will especially want to know how to avoid maskne. They tend to report chafing, which can cause discomfort and damage healthy skin. Aside from discomfort, there’s also the issue of being self-conscious of your appearance.
Luckily, there are many ways to prevent maskne and reduce the irritation from chafing that you might be dealing with. Let’s take a look at 10 skincare tips on how to avoid maskne.
1. Don’t Forget to Cleanse
Since 2020, there’s been an explosion in interest in minimizing skin irritations and getting rid of dead skin cells without adding to chafing. Having a nightly cleansing routine with a gentle cleanser remains one of the best ways to keep your skin clear and healthy, mask or no mask. It’s just as important to stick to a pre-makeup cleansing routine too.
One way to make your cleansing routine more manageable is to block off the time. Phone reminders are fantastic and take the responsibility to remember out of your hands. Two cleanses should work just fine for most people, and this will help as much for those with dry skin and acne-prone skin as it will for people who don’t deal with those issues.
2. Get Moisturized
Dry skin is pretty common, and things like seasonal changes and genetic predispositions can influence how it manifests for certain people. Adding masks to the equation means that some people deal with things like chafing, rubbing, and a lack of airflow, all of which can combine to keep impurities stuck on your face.
A good moisturizer will help with many of these issues, as it will not only boost the moisture levels on your face and prevent dry skin, but it will also create an extra barrier between you and your mask. This will help reduce chafing and rubbing overall.
3. Stay Hydrated
This tip seems different from the other ones, as drinking more water isn’t the first thing you’d probably think about when you’re wondering how to avoid maskne, but proper hydration makes a big difference. It’s easy to forget, but your skin is an organ. As the largest organ in your body, it needs plenty of water to stay healthy and keep functioning properly.
Eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day should work great, and having your last glass of water right before bed can work wonders for your skincare routine. Masking can also make it difficult to remember to drink water. Wearing something over your face for most of the day can have the unintended consequence of keeping you from drinking your recommended daily amount of water.
Lunch breaks are great for getting those extra glasses of water in, and your complexion will thank you. Start small if needed and work up to that full eight glasses when you can.
4. Go Easy on Foundation
COVID-19 has had an unexpected consequence when it comes to makeup routines. Instead of planning out a look for your entire face, you can focus on specific key categories like eyeliner, eyeshadow, and different eyebrow looks.
There’s no reason not to focus on the upper half of your face, especially if your mask will be on throughout most of the day. If you do choose to use some foundation, it’s best to go with something tinted and lightweight so that you can have that barrier of moisturization on the lower half of your face and avoid skin irritations and chafing.
5. Consider Skipping Your Makeup Routine
If even foundation and upper face routines are causing your skin some problems, it might be best to skip your makeup routine entirely. Even with proper moisturizing and good hydration, it’s still possible that makeup will get stuck under the mask and cause maskne problems down the line.
This doesn’t have to be a permanent thing, either. Even taking a day off can make a big difference if you’ve been dealing with a maskne problem or sensitive skin. In the same way that you want to give yourself a break and take a day off when you need it, sometimes your skin needs a break too!
6. Look Into Treatments
Just as you’d turn to skincare treatments and products for chronic acne issues, it’s totally natural to want to seek out remedies for your maskne problem as well. Oil-free products tend to work best, as anything with oil can get trapped in your pores, just as dirt and grease do. Whether you’re using a skincare product, sunscreen, a cleanser, or makeup, anything oil-free will make a big difference.
You’ll also want to look for products that contain hyaluronic acid. This helps to improve your skin’s moisture and reduce the overall appearance of wrinkles and other fine lines. Many products, from cleansers to scrubs, contain hyaluronic acid.
One important thing, especially if you’re trying this out for the first time, is to apply any new products to a small section of your skin first before applying them to the rest. This will help prevent reactions.
7. Don’t Touch
Out of all the tips for how to avoid maskne, this one might be the most difficult to be consistent about, but it’s no less important. One of the most significant factors in maskne is excessive touching of the face. Every time you adjust your mask or pick at or touch your face, you’re increasing the chance of irritation and eventual acne.
The added benefit of working on this tip? At the same time that you’re dealing with maskne, you’re also reducing your chances of contracting COVID-19. While you might not be able to cut the habit entirely, even being aware of it can help minimize fidgeting and excessive face touching.
8. Bring Down Friction
One of the most significant issues with mask-wearing has to do with friction, and chafing can irritate your skin even if you don’t have dry skin or other skin conditions. Masks that use synthetic fabrics can also be some of the worst offenders.
If possible, try loosening your mask straps. Another thing that can help is adding a pad or pads underneath the straps or switching to a different type of mask if one isn’t working for you.
9. Change Out Your Mask Regularly
This might seem obvious, but it isn’t easy to have a clean face if you don’t have a clean mask! Old, reused masks can build up dead skin cells and cause skin irritations and maskne, among many other problems. Try to commit to a regular cleaning schedule for your masks if possible.
Cloth masks are great for the fact that you can easily wash and reuse them. Along with saving you money down the line, this also means a happier and healthier face! In general, you should either switch out or clean your mask every few days. It would be best if you cycled out every week at the latest, but the less time between switching the better.
10. Pick the Right Mask
Finding the right mask can be a real chore, but it doesn’t have to be that way. While many face masks actually compound skin problems, a Mulberry silk face mask can help reduce them. It uses a material that skin doctors recommend, and the breathability means that your pores will have an easier time cleansing your face than if you were using a different mask.
One of the major problems with a lot of face masks is that they tend to make you sweaty while also reducing the natural moisture on your skin. This mask works differently, retaining your body’s natural moisture while allowing your pores to cycle out dirt and contaminants.
Whether you have sensitive skin or dry skin or you’re having recurring problems with maskne, it’s always handy to have a few tricks up your sleeve when it comes to your skincare. By following these tips on how to avoid maskne, you’ll be well on your way to keeping safe from COVID-19, looking great, and having a healthy skincare routine that you can be proud of.
