Are we experiencing breakouts because we’re wearing protective face masks?

For most of us, keeping our distance and frequent hand-washing have become the new reality these days. In the same vein, we are wearing face masks to protect each other as much as possible and that’s admirable. Unfortunately, wearing a face mask for longer periods of time comes with some unpleasant side effects – breakouts, pimples, zits and blemishes. Or in short, maskne.

What is Maskne?

Maskne, mascne or, as dermatologists call them, acne mechanica are different types of breakouts formed on the lower half of your face (the areas covered by the face mask). There are two main causes of this type of acne. The first one is the friction between your skin and the mask. The friction disrupts the surface of your skin and starts breaking down your skin barrier, making it easier for your pores to get clogged. Or worse, causing a rash if your skin is on the sensitive side. The second cause for maskne is the moisture and humidity that formes underneath your mask when you wear it for a prolonged period of time. 

Remember, by wearing a mask you’re protecting yourself and everyone else around you. And we want to encourage you to that. But we want to help you keep your skin protected and healthy. That’s why we looked into different ways of preventing maskne.

How to prevent Maskne?

The crucial thing to keep your skin happy and healthy is to follow a simple and effective skincare routine. The two most important steps are cleansing and moisturizing. Wash your face properly and regularly to get rid of all the grime that accumulates over the day and causes breakouts. Moisturize to feed your skin and help it maintain its barrier. To help you out further, here are some useful tips and tricks on facing and preventing maskne.

Pick the right face mask

To keep breakouts at bay, pick face masks made from lightweight materials like cotton, silk or satin. These are likely to trap less heat and humidity and cause less stress to your skin. Another crucial thing is to change and wash your face masks frequently. This may sound like common sense to some, but there are many that just leave their face masks to air dry in the sun – which is good for getting rid of the virus but not the dirt and bacteria that lingers on the fabric and causes breakouts. 

Wash your face

We can’t stress enough how important it is to cleanse your face regularly. Try to avoid aggressive products and stick to a steady regime instead. The goal is to get all the dirt, sweat and dead skin cells out of your pores without damaging or pulling on the skin. Thankfully, we have the perfect solution for a smart, spa-like skin cleansing – LUNA fofo. 

Protect your skin

Now is not the time to pass up on moisturizer. You may think that because you sweat more you don’t need as much moisturizer. Well, you’re wrong. Keeping your skin hydrated and well-moisturized is the best way to boost the strength of your skin’s barrier and keep all the nasty bacteria away. As always, we have to remind you to use sunscreen as well – breakouts can get nasty but so can signs of aging.

An acne-fighting machine

If you’re following all the right steps but still experiencing breakouts, it’s always a good idea to seek advice from your dermatologist. And if you’re trying to deal with a small breakout quickly, find a great spot treatment that isn’t too aggressive. Try FOREO’s most powerful acne-fighting weapon – ESPADA. This device uses Blue Light treatment and laser-precision targeting to get rid of acne in a way that’s simple, effective and fast. Take aim at your blemishes with the same powerful beam of 415 nm blue LED light used by dermatologists for professional treatments, but at a fraction of the cost. Equipped with laser-focused cross hairs and T-Sonic™ pulsations, ESPADA targets pimples, clogged pores and blackheads. 

Are you experiencing Maskne? How are you fighting them? Share your advice in the comments and stay safe!