How To Treat Mask Acne With Top 12 Essential Tips

Today face masks have become a necessity. The 2020 coronavirus pandemic brought the biggest change in our lives. Undoubtedly, the breaking news of vaccination has fetched a new ray of hope that all will be fine again. But, we still need to cross miles, and till then face masks are required to wear.

However, these protective-wear leads to some unwanted skin problems. This problem is known with the name of Maskne. It is a type of acne that ensues with the excessive use of the mask. In people with acne-prone skin or sensitive skin, this problem arises in the worst way.

If you are also suffering from maskne problem, you need to fix this problem. You need to consider certain things to prevent acne and acne scars while using the mask. It includes use of suitable anti-acne products and proper hygiene while wearing a mask, especially of acne-prone skin.

We have summarized the blog in a short video. Please have a look:

Let's explore the problem and associated solutions more deeply:

• What is maskne?
• What factors causing maskne?
• Maskne Tips or Mask Acne Tips
• FAQ

What is maskne?

Maskne is a type of acne scientifically known as acne mechanica. It eventuates after repeated physical trauma (rubbing, friction or pressure), occurring after wearing any specific equipment or clothing.

It is one of the most common types of acne yet far different from other forms of acne (acne vulgaris). 

It is one of the major side effects of face masks. You can find this acne at the places where the mask sits, in particular, on the chin, cheeks, and bridge of the nose. It can be mild acne or chronic acne (cystic acne), depending how your skin reacts towards it.

Analyse your skin type now!

What factors causing maskne?

1. Friction or Irritation

The very first reason is the friction or irritation which creates micro-tears in the surface of the skin. The bacteria, sweat, dirt, and skin oils easily make their way into the skin through these micro-tears. This further can cause acne and breakouts.

2. Occlusion

The other reason might be the occlusion. The blockage or obstruction due to masks can trap your breath beneath the mask. This makes the surface warm, moist, and sweaty. This tends to close your pores and make a suitable environment for acne breakouts.

Maskne Tips or Tips to avoid and treat maskne

1. Use anti acne face wash

Face cleansing is the most prioritized thing to prevent the breakouts.

Cleanse your face with a oil free foaming face wash containing pore-refining natural ingredients like salicylic acid, tea tree extract, and apple cider vinegar. This will help to control the excessive oil production (from oil glands), shrinks the enlarged skin pores and cleanses all the dirt, dead skin cells and grime from the face.

Enlarged open pores are the most disturbing problem of the face. It has a significant role in causing acne, especially in time when we have to wear a face mask. 

You might know all the effective ways to clean out open pores to get rid of acne.

2. Apply pore refining face toner

After washing face, apply face toner containing witch hazel which can work to make a barrier around the face, maintain the skin pH and keeps the extra skin oil at bay.

Choose face toner infused with ingredients like salicylic acid, witch hazel, moroccan oil, manuka leaf extract or vitamin C toner. This product protects your skin throughout the day. Include this skin care essential in night and morning skin care routine.

Reminder: Remember to choose alcohol-free, natural and non-drying toner.

3. Use mattifying moisturizer

It is the time to apply moisturizer after toning the face. For acne-prone and oily skin, mattifying moisturizer is the best choice. It doesn't make your skin oily. This doesn't make your face greasy during the time you have the mask on your face.

Know - “Why is Mattifying moisturizer good for acne?”

4. Choose gel-based sunscreen

Sunscreen in the form of creams and lotions can make your skin oily under face masks and cause maskne. But, sunscreen is essential to get protection from UV rays and air pollutants. Choose gel-based broad spectrum sunscreen. The gel-based formula will not make your skin oily and reduces your chances of getting acne.

Read - “Why to use Sunscreen for oily skin?”

5. Start doing night skin care routine

If you haven't started doing a night skin care routine, then this is the time. This routine is very essential to revive your skin. It helps to balance the skin and reduces the chances of getting acne. 

Read here to know a proper night skin care routine.

6. Avoid wearing heavy makeup

Heavy makeup under the mask is the best to create a suitable environment for acne. Your skin is hardly able to breathe under the mask. Layers of makeup can make your skin lifeless and dull. Therefore, adopt lightweight makeup.

Cover the skin with a lightweight foundation, preferably mineral-based, and try to go for non-comedogenic makeup products (which doesn't clog your pores). Also, if you can avoid wearing makeup on regular days, do it.

Wanted to know about Non-Comedogenic, then click here!

Simply by following your basic skincare routine according to your skin type, and avoiding everyday makeup, you can protect your skin from maskne up to a considerable degree.

7. Choose your face mask with caution

The choice of right mask and right clothing are very essential to protect yourself from virus and mask associated problems.

As per the CDC recommendations, the frontline health workers, and patients should wear N95 and surgical masks. Especially, where the threat of infection is high, these two types of masks should be preferred.

Prefer to wear a cloth face mask in public settings, where it is impossible to maintain social distancing. But make sure, these clothing masks are not purposed for children under the age of two.

Now the next question comes, what type of clothing should be used to make cloth masks. It has been evaluated that a mask made of cotton fabric is the best. These provide both protection and space to breathe. Moreover, the cotton fabric is not harsh to the skin and can lower the risk of maskne up to great extent.

8. Maintain proper hygiene

Proper hygiene for instance, regular washing of cloth mask, changing mask at proper time and washing face with face wash on regular time are some of the things which we need to give stress upon.

Know important points to consider before buying face wash for acne prone skin.

9. Don’t reuse surgical masks:

If you're wearing surgical masks, use these only once. Such masks prepare for one time use and there is no point to wash them. Use one surgical mask, again and again, can harm your skin greatly and this can become a major cause behind maskne.

10. Wear clean masks:

Cloth mask is the best in public settings but one must use these wisely. Always keep your mask clean. Wash these regularly, mostly after one use, especially in the hot days where sweating and oil excretion from your skin can make your mask dirty very soon.

11. Wash your face before and after using the mask:

This is necessary for your skin. Clear and clean face keeps your skin away from excessive oil production and dirt. These things will contribute to keep your skin fresh and clean under a mask for longer hours. 

Washing your face after removing the mask is also essential. It will wash away all the germs and sweat present on your face, and make your skin clean and clear.

Follow these above-mentioned points and you will hardly face the problem of maskne. However, if you are already suffering from this issue, these things don't make your condition worse.

Also interested in: Face clean up steps.

12. Adopt medical treatment for maskne

Now in case you are experiencing the maskne, do spots treatment or take acne medication. 

There are topical treatments, which work when applied to the skin. Go for these over-the-counter acne treatments. The ointments containing benzoyl peroxide with 2.5 or 5 percent concentration can work excellently to treat your maskne problem. Other than that, you can also go for acne medications, which involve many antibiotics and other treatments in combination with oral contraceptives.

Know about the importance of benzoyl peroxide for acne.

Else you can consult a dermatologist near by you and start doing spot treatment every night. This will help you to get rid of maskne in coming few days.

Follow these rituals and you will surely get over from this novel skin concern.

Face Mask is Forcedness of the Time But not Maskne

These can be preventable and treatable. So, take care of your precious skin in these days of emergency and keep it safe from maskne.

You may be interested in: Acne scar removal home remedies!

FAQ

1. Why are wearing face masks important?

Wearing masks in this pandemic is essential to prevent respiratory droplets from travelling into the air and up to other people during coughing, sneezing, or talking. 

2. What are other causes of face acne?

The excessive production of sebum, clogged pores with sweat, bacteria and dirt, hormonal imbalance, stomach problems, or inaccurate use of skin care products or cosmetics. These problems also can lead to skin conditions like face acne, blackheads and whiteheads.

3. What is the best skincare routine to treat acne?

The best skincare routine to prevent acne include-

• Washing face at least two times a day
  
• Choosing anti-acne skincare products
  
• Follow a night skincare routine i.e. washing face with an anti-acne cleanser, application of a moisturizer, or spot treatment recommended by the dermatologist.
  
• Keep skin clean from dirt, grime, and pollution.