Face to face with mask acne

• June 28, 2020

Face masks and mask acne? Yes it’s one more thing we didn’t need to worry about, but unfortunately we do.

#maskne is real!  Because we are wearing face masks repeatedly and for long periods of time, the friction as well as warm air can cause serious bacteria to live on our face, leading to breakouts and spots on our skin.

We asked Dr. Costi for some help to on how to deal with this situation that we’re all living.

Why are we getting acne from wearing the masks?

This side-effect of having to cover our face, is unfortunately unavoidable. After the pandemic and the necessary precautions we have to take, our skin is suffering irritation and breakouts especially around the nose, across the cheeks and around the mouth and chin. Sweat, bacteria and moisture are all gathering under the mask, and sitting there for hours while we go about our day. Add to it the pressure of make-up on our skin, and you can imagine the problems that will arise from clogged pores.

“We have to be extra careful now with our skincare” says Dr. Costi “and make a switch where necessary”.

What can we do?

1. Gently clean your skin

As our first goal must be to keep the skin comfortable, stick to gentle cleansing products that are also hydrating. Be sure to use a foaming cleanser for more oily skin, and a cream cleanser for a more dry or sensitive skin. Our rule as always is to wash your face twice a day, and gently pat dry without rubbing your face- especially the dry parts that are covered with the mask.

In case you’re sweating excessively, then wash immediately your face, without waiting until night.

Extra tip: avoid comedogenic oils and butters (like coconut oil), which will not help in this case (if you thought you needed the extra hydration).

2. Hydrate generously

By wearing a barrier cream that will hydrate your skin barrier and keep it healthy, you improve your skin’s function of stopping potential irritants through the deep layers where they can cause breakouts.

Use creams that lock moisture in and are gentle enough to boost and protect your face from morning until night. We love Niacinamide as an ingredient to fight irritation and soothe sensitive skin.

If you feel yourself getting dry during the day, use a face mist.

Extra tip: avoid retinoids which cause extra irritation.

3. Choose a good face mask

You might not have considered this, but not all masks are equal! Some of the pretty and colorful masks might be made from synthetic fiber which must be avoided. Look for cotton or even better silk masks, as they are less likely to irritate your skin.

Extra tip: your mask must be washed often, to clean off the sweat and bacteria that accumulate from wearing it. Dr. Costi even has his own trick, which is to spray your mask with an aromatherapy oil, which will help with keeping it on all day.

4. Avoid make-up as much as you can

Make-up clogs the pores, we all know it, even if we get natural and non-comedogenic products. The best thing to can do while wearing a mask, is to reduce how much make-up you’re wearing. If you can’t go make-up free, then try a light and breathable foundation that allows the skin to breathe.

5. Face the problem head-on

If you see a pimple rearing its head, attack it straight away with a salicylic acid mask. There are some amazing new products that can get to a pimple as soon as you feel it under your skin, even before it turns into a spot. Check the market for pimple patches, which will actually cover the breakout and stop it from getting further infected.

If you’re suffering from #maskne or have any concerns over your skin, you can get in touch with Dr. Costi and book your appointment right here https://www.drcosti.app/