Maskne 101: What is Maskne and How Do You Treat It?

Mask mandates have been implemented around the world, and this measure has been necessary for bending the COVID-19 curve and saving lives. This is very important because we agree that masks have been a big help in keeping everyone safe. However, they have also posed some challenges for our skin, which hasn’t been so fun. 

If you have to wear a mask to school or work every day, then you might know what we’re talking about. You know - your once clear, glowing skin starting to break out with red pimples? Yes, we feel your pain! Especially for those of us who have acne-prone skin and we’ve worked so hard for so long to keep it all in check! These breakouts and acne caused by wearing masks for extended periods are known as Maskne.

What Exactly is Maskne?

Maskne involves acne and breakouts caused by wearing a mask all day, especially in professions that require it like healthcare workers, teachers, etc. Wearing a mask all day can lead to breakouts on the lower part of the face, including the nose, area around the mouth, cheeks and chin. We know, we hate it too!

So why do masks create these breakouts in the first place? Well, many factors contribute to this, the biggest being that masks create a pocket of warm air and moisture around our mouths. This is the perfect way for bacteria to grow and multiply on the surface of our skin. When you combine that with surface oils and dead skin cells, your pores begin to clog and this leads to Maskne. 

If you don’t maintain this over time, your skin will begin to worsen and the acne can get out of control. People who are more acne-prone need to be even more mindful of this. If you have spent many years trying to control and manage your acne, and try to keep your skin clear, it can be disappointing to see these new breakouts happen.  

For those individuals who haven’t really experienced acne, welcome to our world! You have now seen what we deal with, and how hard it is to manage acne breakouts. If you wear your skin for extended periods of time, you too are prone to these problems. 

How Do I Prevent Maskne? 

Until this pandemic is over, Maskne is here to stay! But the experts at Lucere Dermatology & Laser Clinic has a few recommendations for helping you prevent future breakouts from occurring in the first place! 

PROFESSIONAL TREATMENTS 

It’s important to be committing to in-clinic treatments at your favourite clinic, like Lucere Dermatology. These skin treatments are designed to help keep your skin healthy and clean. Many treatments offer deep exfoliation and hydrating benefits that can keep Maskne in check.  

We recommend Isolaz, HydraFacials, Chemical Peels and Bela MD Microdermabrasion. These treatments are amazing to help you unclog your pores and rid them of debris, oil, dirt and bacteria that lead to long terms breakouts. This will keep your skin radiant and beautiful! 

MEDICAL-GRADE SKINCARE 

A good skincare routine is so important for managing Maskne. All the products in your routine should be high-quality, medical-grade skincare. It’s very important to be cleansing twice a day, exfoliating once a day, and using a good toner with salicylic acid twice a day. This will keep your skin feeling great! 

Any products you use after those three steps should also be geared to helping you achieve clear skin, staying hydrated, and protected from the sun. It is very important to be washing your hands before using your skincare products and before touching your face. Do not forget this very important step! 

MySkinShop.com offers an array of acne treatment kits, like the ZO Complexion Clearing Program and the Vivier Acne Treatment System. The products in these kits are carefully parked together to manage acne, Maskne and breakouts.  

USE DISPOSABLE MASKS 

Fabric masks are trendy, and many people like wearing them more for the fashion statement they can create. But the reality is, disposable masks are better to prevent Maskne breakouts for your skin. The reason for this is because the material these masks are made of is much thicker than a disposable mask, so they have less ventilation which means more trapped air and moisture. This will promote bacterial growth on the skin. 

The fact that you can also throw these masks out daily is a good thing. That means you are also throwing out any of the bacteria and dirt that your mask has accumulated during the day. Remember, masks retain a lot of dirt, debris, and bacteria, especially from touching your mask or laying it down on surfaces. Always throw it out at the end of the day. 

CLEAN FABRIC MASKS DAILY 

Fabric masks are trendy, but as we said, they certainly do trap in more warmth and moisture. They have little ventilation because of the thicker materials they are made from. This will create the perfect breeding ground for bacteria to grow and multiply on your skin, and ultimately, lead to more breakouts.