What is maskne (and how you can prevent it)

It’s the term on everyone’s lips these days- but what can you do to prevent maskne?

Covid-19 has changed the world, and now with the mandatory wearing of masks, it has had a massive effect on our skin. Whether you’re wearing a mask for 8+ hours at work, or you’re just wearing it whilst you’re out shopping, face masks can leave you prone to maskne. Maskne is a brand new term that was born after many women found they were prone to increased bouts of acne of wearing a face mask. So why does your face mask leave you prone to acne? Wearing a mask can cause friction, and occasionally you may find your skin is sensitive to certain fabrics which can leave skin feeling sore. Team that with trapped sweat, makeup and bacteria you have the perfect setting for spots to break out. Women have enough to worry about nowadays, without skin concerns to add into the mix. So what can you do to prevent this? Here’s some simple tips on how you can keep your skin clear.

Choose the right type of face mask to avoid maskne

Finding the right type of face mask is the key to avoiding maskne and skin irritation. Some materials may be very scratchy and leave your skin feeling sore and irritated. Some cotton printed masks for example have quite a dry texture that can feel rough against your skin. You’ll also find cotton absorbs moisture a lot more, so to make it easier for your skin to breathe under the mask, look for a breathable fabric like neoprene. Etsy has a fantastic collection of designs in neoprene for you to check out.

Keep your mask clean and try to use a fresh one each day

It stands to reason that if you wear the same mask over and over again, it’s going to start getting clogged up with dirt and bacteria. If possible try to wash the mask at least every day, alternatively buy a few so you have a new one to wear each time you go out. There are so many different designs nowadays on all your favourite websites like Dorothy Perkins, New Look and even SHEIN. The set of 3 star pattern masks on SHEIN are super cute! The reusable face masks are so much more comfortable then the throw away ones, and you will be able to breathe in them easier. I have to say I really wasn’t a fan of face masks, and hate the fact they were made mandatory, but the trendy styles really make it easier to wear them.

Regularly cleanse and exfoliate your skin

Make sure you’re following a regular skincare routine and use targeted products to cleanse and exfoliate your skin. Exfoliating the skin can help get rid of the dead skin cells that sit and clog pores. Look for products that contain salicylic acid as they are fantastic at decreasing redness and swelling. I recommend La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ Blemish treatment as it can unblock pores and reduce the appearance of spots.

Take a break from wearing makeup under your mask

Unless you’re going to be regularly popping in and out of shops taking off your mask, no one’s going to be seeing your face from your nose down. If you find following your usual makeup routine is making you break out more, why not just do your makeup from your cheekbones upward. I’m loving this facemask makeup tutorial which shows you how to make the most of your cheekbones and eyes.

Sure it may look a little silly to you to only do half a face of makeup- but who’s going to know? By taking a break from wearing makeup under your mask, your skin will be able to breathe a lot easier as you won’t have a mixture of makeup and sweat clogging up your pores.

I hope this post gives you some useful tips on how to prevent maskne. If you think there’s anything I missed please drop me a line in the comments box below!

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