The Coronavirus has forever changed the year 2020. Health experts believe our best protection from contracting Covid-19 is to wash our hands as frequently as possible and to wear a mask in public at all times. Some people are forced to wear masks during their entire shift at work, schools are closed now but come September no one knows what will occur, but chances are children will need masks all day. For the foreseeable future, masks and face coverings will be a must until a vaccine or cure is developed and proven safe. While we are keeping ourselves and others healthy by wearing masks, our skin under the masks may become susceptible to breakouts and irritation. This type of reaction is now being referred to as “maskne.”

So what is maskne and how can we prevent it?

Maskne is acne and irritation that you get from wearing a mask. The general public usually has masks or face coverings that don’t have filters or are not completely fitted to their skin such as the N95 or other similar masks in the health field. Which, for the general public makes it a bit easier to help prevent maskne because you can’t just toss an N95 in the washing machine.

Now how can we prevent maskne?

Choose masks or face coverings made of cloth so that they are easy to just toss in the washing machine or hand wash. Your masks and face coverings should be cleaned after each use. If that is something that is not an option for you, I would get multiple face masks/coverings, and then when you have the time to throw them all in the wash. Another option is to purchase disposable masks. I’ve been seeing them in stores everywhere so there is no longer a shortage on those masks. You can wear it when you go out and then toss it after you use it for the day. If possible, do not wear any makeup underneath your mask, as all the dirt, oil, and bacteria will become trapped under your mask and create a breeding ground for acne.

The best foundation you can wear is healthy, glowing skin.

You should consistently make sure your teeth are brushed and mouth wash is used before wearing a facemask because the bacteria in your mouth can also create irritation and breakouts if it’s being suffocated under a mask with nowhere to go, and most people breathe with their mouth open under a mask.

If you work in the medical field try to not use the same mask every day. If that is not an option a lot of people put gauze into the mask so it creates almost like a barrier between the mask and the skin. Change that after each patient or each day. Also, you can try putting Aquaphor on the skin that the mask touches and that too can cause a barrier between the skin and the mask. Aquaphor is great especially for people that have more irritation from the mask than acne.

How do you treat maskne?

If you, unfortunately, are already a sufferer of the maskne, I would treat it exactly like how I would treat anyone that has acne. Make sure you’re cleansing the skin 2X day, exfoliating 2X a week, and letting your skin breathe outside of that mask. I would not touch it or pick at it because that would only make it worse. Use a spot treatment, preferably something with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Make sure the skin is hydrated and moisturized. Also, refer to one of my previous posts regarding my 5 tips to stop breaking out today, here.

Invest in your skin, it’s going to represent you for a very long time.

Also, getting regular facial treatments will greatly help reduce your breakouts and the build-up of dirt, oil, and bacteria. Getting regular facial treatments are known to help clogged pores, uneven skin tone, dull aging skin, and overall giving the tender, love, and care your skin needs and deserves.