Have you started noticing that you’re breaking out around your mouth and nose recently?
Wearing a mask protects others and yourself (to a certain extent) from air-borne illnesses, which is why we need to wear them whenever we’re out in public. It’s the courteous thing to do. Unfortunately, wearing a mask frequently throughout the day can cause mask acne, or “maskne”.
Maskne is the result of:
- the fabric of your mask constantly touching and rubbing against your skin, causing irritation and inflammation
- trapped sweat and dirt
- the moisture of your exhalations
These factors make an environment where bacteria can thrive, resulting in breakouts.
So how do you control maskne?
- Always wear a clean mask.
- Cleanse your face before and after you wear a mask. That usually means first thing in the morning and after you get home. You can also consider using moisturizing facial wipes while you’re out.
- If you can, wear an occlusive moisturizer to act as a physical barrier to protect your skin. Occlusive moisturizers generally contain silicone, oils, waxes or petroleum.
- At all times, make sure your skin is moisturized.
If you need help picking the right skincare products to help fight and prevent maskne, talk to us!
