If you are anything like me, pre 2020 and the coronavirus era, you won’t have been familiar with the term maskne. Wearing masks and face coverings is a new normal for us all and maskne is an unwanted side effect of this.
What is maskne?
When we wear our face masks a humid environment is created that causes moisture from our breath to build up. Oil and bacteria increase and cause breakouts, redness and irritation. This combination of sweat, oil and moisture under our masks clogs up our pores.
How to avoid maskne
- Clean your hands before you put your mask on and when you take it off.
- Cleanse your skin twice a day, before and after wearing a mask. Gently pat your skin dry and avoid rubbing.
- Moisturise your skin after cleansing to prevent dryness and help repair your skin. Choose a moisturiser that absorbs quickly and that doesn’t sit on the surface of your skin. Two light layers is better than one thick layer.
- Avoid wearing makeup under your mask or keep it to a bare minimum.
- Choose a clean soft cotton mask and wash it after every use. Natural fabrics will allow your skin to breathe more easily. However if you are in a particular risk group you should wear a medical mask.
The news this week of a vaccine has provided a glimmer of hope, but in the meantime the virus isn’t going away and we have to protect ourselves and others. Masks play an important part in this, just ensure that yours covers your nose, mouth and chin.