Wondering how to avoid maskne? You’re not the only one finding new breakouts amid the pandemic. Maskne, or acne and irritation caused by the friction of wearing a mask and other factors, is an issue many of us are facing now. Since masks are a necessity, there are a few easy ways to prevent maskne that only small changes in your routine.
1. Cleanse
To prevent dirt, oil and makeup from clogging your pores and potentially causing breakouts be sure to thoroughly cleanse with gentle cleansers that don’t strip your skin of natural moisture. If you’re wearing makeup and sunscreen throughout the day double cleanse with an oil based cleanser and follow up with a cleanser.
Reusable fabric masks should be washed regularly and disposable masks should be disposed of and changed regularly. You should also regularly clean things that come in contact with your face like your pillow case or phone. This is the first step if you’re asking yourself how to avoid maskne.
2. Exfoliate
Exfoliating is an essential part of any skincare routine and exfoliants like salicylic acid a BHA (beta hydroxy acid) an oil-soluble ingredient that can penetrate the pores and exfoliate your skin beyond the surface level. You can work a gentle exfoliant into your skincare routine 1-2 times a week to start.
Salicylic acid can be found in several different kinds of products from cleansers to masks so you can pick the one that works best for your routine.
3. Moisturize and Hydrate
To combat the irritation and inflammation caused by the mask, treat your skin with extra care and stock up on nourishing and hydrating products. Look for products with hyaluronic acid which can be found as a standalone serum or as an ingredient in some moisturizers or toners.
You can also add a hydrating and nourishing oil as a final step to your routine like plant-derived squalane, maracuja or rosehip oil.
4. Spot Treat
Spot treatments are another way to deal with breakouts caused by masks. Pimple patches can be an effective treatment, you can find affordable stickers that work pretty much overnight. There are hydrocolloid patches that absorb excess oils to speed up healing and patches with small (painless) darts that penetrate the skin with acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid.
You can also look for gels and creams containing benzoyl peroxide to spot treat. Benzoyl peroxide is an effective treatment for acne because it removes excess oils and acne causing bacteria.
