Face masks may be the new normal, but skin irritation and breakouts don’t have to be. With more of us wearing protective face coverings, “maskne” has become a common skin concern that affects all skin types. While masks are often essential, there are ways to help treat and prevent maskne for balanced, healthy-looking skin.
Adapting your skincare routine to fit the new normal of mask-wearing can help keep your skin balanced and healthy-looking. Follow these tips to help prevent maskne and other mask-related skin concerns from forming.
Keep masks clean and always use a fresh one. If you wear one throughout the day, have several on hand to switch out and clean your masks with hot, soapy water after every use. Cleansing skin in between masks can also help prevent maskne. Sweep on a facial toner or miceller water in between masks to refresh skin on the go.
Applying a mask over freshly cleansed skin helps prevent dirt and oil from getting trapped underneath. After removing your mask at the end of the day, cleanse away any buildup of sweat, dirt, makeup and oil with a deep cleansing face wash.
With the extra stress of wearing a daily face mask, it may not be the time to adjust your skincare routine or try a potent new serum. Instead, look for gentle formulas with ingredients known to soothe skin like Centella Asiatica and Calendula.
Stronger skin is better able to resist the effects of masks and other skin aggressors. Adding a skin-strengthening serum can help skin be better able to protect itself underneath your mask.
While it may be a good time to simplify your skincare routine, keeping skin moisturized is a must. In addition to helping maintain the skin barrier, your moisturizer can even act as a physical barrier between your skin and your mask to help minimize the effects of any rubbing or friction. Apply a daily hydrating moisturizer to help skin feel balanced and comfortable underneath your mask.
If you are finding that your current moisturizer feels a little heavier on your skin, try a lightweight or oil-free gel moisturizer to keep skin feeling fresh and hydrated.
Touching your face frequently with unclean hands is never a good idea, but with the additional stress of wearing a mask, it is more important to avoid than ever. Apply your mask with minimal contact and take care when adjusting it. Make sure that your mask stays in place and fits you comfortably, covering the nose and mouth. If you have a mask that has stretched out, it is time to replace it with one that fits properly.
To combat excess oil, clogged pores and help prevent maskne, apply a purifying clay face mask several times a week. You can also use it as a spot treatment on problem areas or apply it to the lower part of your face, where skin is most affected by your mask.
If you experience breakouts underneath or around your mask, apply a spot treatment with Sulfur to treat acne blemishes.
Apply a comforting balm or cica-cream to help repair the areas most affected by your mask like your nose, chin, and even behind your ears! Give these areas a little extra care after taking your mask off or apply a small amount underneath the mask to provide a barrier against friction.
After a maskne breakout, you may be left with dark spots or hyperpigmentation. Apply a dark spot corrector to visibly fade discoloration for overall skin clarity.
