8 Hacks for Stopping Maskne

As COVID-19 nears its one year anniversary, wearing a mask has become a daily reality for many of us. We fully support all the precautions being taken in public spaces, but our skin has taken a beating during this time. Remember the days when we could stand shoulder to shoulder in a crowd of barefaced people without any consequences? Well, we’re all facing a new age, and with that, we need to add new steps to our skincare regimen.

What is maskne?

Maskne is facial acne caused by the friction pressure, and rubbing of your mask. Even those blessed with good skin are getting maskne flare-ups, and for people already suffering from oily skin, acne, or cysts, it’s a disaster. However, since this might be a required part of our future for a while, it’s important to get to know the different hacks and tips that can help you keep flawless skin through humid summers and dry, harsh winters.

1. All masks are NOT created equal!

The material of your mask is very important, even though the blue surgical masks are the most readily available. Disposable options are usually made to fit a man’s face, and apart from being uncomfortable, they’re not made from breathable materials. Cotton is a good alternative that causes less irritation, but silk or satin textures will be the least friction-causing. In terms of fit, choose a mask that fits snugly around the edges of your face. This will minimize movement and hence that frustrating rubbing.

Also, make sure your mask has a wide bill so that it’s not pressed up against your mouth and chin. This lack of direct contact will do wonders for your face and help it breathe.

2. Wash up and skip makeup

Cleaning your face is the most important face of avoiding maskne. If you keep putting your mask on dirty skin, it will only spread more bacteria. Additionally, avoiding cosmetics will help keep pores unclogged and happy. Makeup causes enough irritation as is, and with half of our faces hidden, why are we still torturing ourselves?