How to Combat Maskne
Tips to shield your skin from face masks.
by CHRISTINE KIM ★ NOVEMBER 13, 2020
It’s no secret everyone’s been struggling with “maskne.” If acne wasn’t difficult enough before, masks are making life for college students even harder right now. Here are eight tips to help soothe your skin and check out our list of product recommendations at the end!
Wash your face and mask!
What type of mask do you wear? If you wear N95 masks, you should wash your face as soon as you get home. Some N95 masks contain formaldehyde, which is a chemical that can potentially cause contact dermatitis (otherwise known as a red itchy rash). Washing your face right away with a soothing face wash will lessen your chances of getting it. If you are wearing a cloth mask, make sure to wash it every day when you get home. Due to sweating and wearing makeup, bacteria can grow and cause breakouts.
Is it actually fungal acne?
Wearing a mask can create a breeding ground for bacteria, fungus, and tiny bugs that grow on your skin. This can cause Malassezia folliculitis or fungal acne. If you get fungal acne, try using either an anti-dandruff shampoo on your face like Nizoral or products containing ketoconazole.
Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!
Masks tend to be irritating on our faces, especially after a long day of classes. Make sure to steer clear of products with salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or exfoliators. Instead, try an overnight soothing mask or aloe vera. If you have dry skin, avoid using thin or watery creams to help protect your skin barrier. Use thick creams with ingredients such as copper peptides, zinc, or Centella extract. If you have oily skin, stick to gel moisturizers that are water-based.
Embrace your bare face
With masks causing more than enough irritation on your face, the best option is to skip makeup overall and stick to your skincare. But if you love stepping out with a full beat face, skip putting makeup around where your mask touches your face to reduce irritation and smudging.
Detox your skin
Sometimes too much product can be the problem for your acne. Surprising right? Detox your skin by reducing the steps of your skincare routine to a toner, ampoule, and cream.
Try vitamins!
I’m sure you’ve heard many skincare experts and influencers tell you to drink water, which is very important, but there’s a step many forget about: take your vitamins! Especially at a time where we should be prioritizing our health, take vitamins that help your skin. No matter how many external products you put on, if you do not take care of your skin from within, you will not be solving the root problem. Vitamins like Zinc, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and Vitamin E have antibacterial properties and will help boost your immune system (which is always a plus!)
Acne patches
Acne patches are on the rise in the skincare world due to TikTok making them go viral. What people don’t know is that acne patches have been a staple in Asia for people who suffer from acne. These patches are great for protecting your acne from external bacteria. They microneedle your skin with amazing ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and salicylic acid. Leave them on under your masks to protect your acne from further irritation. And the best part? No one will even be able to see them!
COVID-19 is a difficult time for everyone right now (and acne sure doesn’t help!) UGirl recommends these products to help make your life just a little easier RN!
Sources:
http://inskin.vmvhypoallergenics.com/n95-surgical-masks-allergen/
https://www.byrdie.com/fungal-acne-4843813
Cover photo credit: hellomagazine.com