How To Treat And Prevent Face Mask Acne In 3 Steps

Face mask acne is an issue facing everyone especially essential workers, this is why I am sharing tips on how to treat and prevent face mask acne in 3 steps. Wearing masks is not only working to reduce your chances of catching coronavirus but is also causing skin breakouts and acne to occur. These breakouts can be easily managed and prevented by updating your skincare routine.

As someone with combination skin, I make a point of updating my skincare routine with every season change. It may seem too much of a hassle to some but for me, it is just another way of looking after my skin. Of late we’ve all been requested to ensure we wear masks when in public and this has led to a rise in maskne (mask acne). Fortunately, I know how to treat and prevent face mask acne in 3 steps.

Disclaimer: Please consult a dermatologist for help to combat severe acne.

How To Treat And Prevent Face Mask Acne In 3 Steps

Maskne is a phrase that was recently coined to describe acne caused by wearing face masks for an extended period of time. As someone with mild sensitive skin, I always make sure to have a robust face skincare routine every season. But no one could have predicted that our current skincare routines would need a revamp and here is how to treat and prevent face mask acne in 3 steps.

Looking after your skin is important as what we eat because the skin is the largest organ and the first defence our bodies have. I learned from a young age about the importance of having a skincare routine and since then I make a point of transition one routine from one season to the next. At the moment we have to contend with more than just the season but masks as well. This in part has changed the dynamics of our daily skincare routine which needs a little revamp.

So, here is how to treat and prevent face mask acne in 3 steps without breaking the bank.

Prevent Face Mask Acne by cleansing

Cleaning your skin before and after wearing a face masks is a good way to prevent any breakouts or acne from developing. When you wear a mask, you not only block moisture from escaping but makes a great breeding ground for bacterial which causes breakouts. And because moisture and dirt is blocked from exiting your pores, they become clogged and cause cysts or pimples. In order to prevent acne or breakouts, wear 100% cotton masks like these made by sosewwy – a small black owned business and face your face between each use.

Prevent maskne by using a moisturiser

When wearing masks, frictional between the skin and the mask occurs which could lead to damage to your skin and cause breakouts. Wearing a moisturiser not only gives your skin moisture but creates a barrier between your mask and the skin. But you have to be careful with what moisturisers you using especially during summer as heavy moisturisers will clog the pores and lead to acne and breakouts. You need to choose a light moisturiser, forgo the use of makeup as this will lead to clogged pores and more breakouts under the mask. I recommend Nuetrogena hydrating moisturiser because it’s hydrating, very light and doesn’t clog the pores.

Treat maskne by exfoliating and with sheet masks

If you already have a breakout due to prolonged use of the masks then there is only one thing to do, it’s to treat it. I recommend you start with exfoliating your skin every few days at night and applying retinol oil before bed. Retinol oil helps with the fast turnover of the cells so once dead cells have been removed during exfoliation, retinol can help restore them as you sleep.

Another treatment I recommend is wearing sheet masks for 15-20 minutes after exfoliating your skin to allow the oils to penetrate the skin and give them the moisture they need. When treating my skin with sheet masks, I use rejuvenating, hydrating and moisturising masks to give my skin back what it lost. For exfoliation, I used my magnitone which clears dead skin whilst being gentle to the rest of my skin.

I also recommend that you follow the two tips above (cleansing and moisturising) to help prevent future breakouts from occurring. Ladies are familiar with period breakouts but those are hormonal but these breakouts at not, they are cause by constant use of masks, which create breeding grounds for bacteria that cause acne and skin to breakout.

When it comes to looking after my skin especially my face, I invest in good products that will work for my combination skin but doesn’t break the bank. Not every expensive brand will be friendly with your skin type, you need to learn what works, what to avoid and what to invest in. Korean skincare brands are some that I have invested in over the last 5 years and seem to work well for my skin and so does brands like Neutrogena and Garnier.