What is Maskne?
It’s pretty self-explanatory: mask acne
“Yes, it’s a thing – because stress breakouts weren’t challenging enough.”
While masks are pretty in protecting you and others from the pandemic, they seem to be having weird side effects on your skin. Under your mask there’s a perfect storm brewing around your chin, your cheeks and lip area from the condensation from your breath, sweat, friction and oils from the skin.
According to skin experts at Optiphi , “Before masks were mandatory, our skins were only exposed to our external environments. Today, our skins are still exposed to those external factors but now they are also constantly covered by masks, causing friction and irritation on our skin, damaging our barrier function, further resulting in constant flare-ups.”
Any form of skin flare-up is frustrating, but at least it wanes after a while. Maskne will keep coming up because of masks (seriously though, keep wearing your mask!). But don’t worry; we’ve got the 411 on a cleansing and moisturising skincare routine to effectively treat and soothe Maskne.
Pro tip: check out your mask. Wear a mask made from a material that’s gentler on skin and won’t trap excess heat. Go for a 100 percent cotton mask, which is the most breathable. And if you’re struggling with ouchy skin consider silk. It’s a super-soft material with fibres that are naturally cooling and hypoallergenic and tend to absorb less moisture than other fabrics.
PRODUCTS TO CHOOSE FROM
CLEANSERS
1/ Want to control oily, shiny and acne-prone skin effectively and gently? Try Diego Dalla Palma Deep Cleansing Gel. Eliminates excess sebum, impurities and traces of make-up and purifies the pores for pleasantly fresh skin, free to breathe.
2/ Looking for a gentle deep-cleansing while avoiding dryness or tightness. You should use a mild formula that won't strip the skin and irritate existing breakouts. Try Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser.
SKIN TREATMENTS
3/ Your skin really freaking out. Try pHformula Spot On Blemish Active. The anti-microbial formula immediately eliminates acne-causing bacteria, while salicylic acid penetrates pores to clear acne blemishes.
4/ Struggling with an active bump? Best is to use a patch. In addition to drawing out impurities, clear pimple patches also prevent you from picking at your spot. Try Skin Republic Spot Clear Salicylic Acid Patch. This Transparent patch with Salicylic Acid and Tea Tree visibly clears spots, blemishes.
MOISTURISERS
5/ One that can help soothe and prevent acne. The right moisturiser for inflamed skin should have an immediate cooling, calming effect. Try Optiphi Active Moisture Control Light. A light moisturiser that strengthens the barrier function in the skin as well as long-lasting hydration and protection for the skin.
6/ Get ‘em before they get you – that’s what you want from a skincare product. Avène Cleanance Comedomed Concentrate actively targets the pre-development phases of acne. It’s a gel-cream moisturiser that reduces the occurrence of breakouts.
EXFOLIATORS
7/ Exfoliating your face using a product like a scrub is key for clear, fresh, glowing skin. Neutrogena Spot Controlling Oil-Free Facial Scrub is specially formulated with beta hydroxy and microbeads to clean deep within pores.
8/ A good face mask can help draw out any excess oil and impurities in your skin which will fight current breakouts and prevent future ones from coming on. Try The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask. Has activated charcoal that can help draw impurities and dirt from your skin and helps control oiliness.
Essential Saver
For Night-time use only. Formulated with a prescription-grade maximum strength 2% concentration of Salicylic Acid, sk.in pure medi shot products clear and prevent acne breakouts, reduce blackheads, and help to fade post-inflammatory pigmentation marks from previous lesions. The sk.in pure spray also acts as an oxygen-boosting, at-home facial peel. It also helps to diminish the appearance of wrinkles while improving moisture levels.
