Our Top 5 Tips for Treating Maskne
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By now, we’re all familiar with the dreaded term “maskne”: breakouts, irritation, and sensitivity from constantly wearing masks has even the most dutiful skincare junkies at a loss.
Now that it’s been a full two years of COVID (ugh) we’re seeing more and more effects of mask-wearing. Even the best and most regimented of us have probably found that we’re suddenly dealing with dry patches, acne where there shouldn’t be, redness and roughness, and textured skin.
It’s not fair to be dealing with the effects of wearing a mask, especially for our health care workers and service industry workers who have been wearing masks daily for nearly two years.
We all know what it is - so HOW do we get rid of it? Don’t worry - we’ve got a few quick tips that are easy to incorporate into your daily (or weekly) routine!
Wash your masks regularly.
You wouldn’t go more than a day without washing your face, right? Same goes for your masks! Dirt, oil, sweat, hair, and all other sorts of bodily runoff accumulate throughout the day, creating a less-than-hygienic environment that rubs against your precious skin all day long.
If you have a few reusable masks at your disposal, wash those puppies on a very regular basis. If possible, try to have a fresh mask available every day. Throw them in on a quick cycle when you get home from work, school, or errands to make sure you have a clean, hygienic mask for the next day. Trust us, this is a big one!
If you don’t have access to enough reusable masks to get you through a few days, look into having a few disposable masks around the house that you can use, just in case. A fresh mask every time you leave the house will do wonders for your skin!
Wash your face after taking your mask off.
This is a tricky one, because you’ll have to gauge the condition of your skin before washing your face. If you’ve been directed to a certain skincare regimen by your aesthetician that includes care for after mask-wearing, listen to them first! If you find that your skin can handle an additional cleanse after a long day wearing a mask, it’s definitely something that you should do to rid your skin of the accumulated debris from the day. Dirt and debris can easily clog your pores and cause unwanted blemishes - a quick post-mask cleanse can keep you free and clear! A gentle or hydrating cleanser is best in this scenario to avoid accidentally drying your skin out further by over-cleansing.
Moisturize more regularly!
Masks, even reusable ones, are made up of abrasive materials like cotton, polyester, or polypropylene (plastic!). These materials, especially rubbing against our skin all day, can cause irritation, sensitivity, and can dry your skin out more rapidly. Some people have been experiencing redness, itching, and acne as a result of the dryness and rubbing. If you work in the healthcare or service industry and have been wearing masks on a daily basis to work, you’ll know exactly what we’re talking about.
Take care to gently apply moisturizer to your sensitized skin more regularly than you would if you weren’t ever wearing a mask (ah, those were the days!). The same goes here as for washing your face more regularly though - only do this if you’ve got a premium product to apply and if you know it won’t cause a reaction. Typically, you shouldn’t have to worry about a little bit of additional moisturizer, but definitely check with your aesthetician if you’re not sure!
Looking for a suggestion? We love the iS Clinical Hydracool Serum - a winter skincare favourite! The Hydracool Serum is formulated to gently relieve compromised skin and deeply hydrate the skin. Designed for all skin types and ages, this is a wonderfully soothing serum that you’ll notice an instant difference with.
If you’re dealing with contact dermatitis, we recommend the ZO Hydrating Creme, another super-gentle solution for any skin type. This creme provides a bit of a barrier to protect your skin and provide relief to an irritated area. If you are also treating acne but would like to try the ZO Hydrating Creme, we recommend only applying this 1-2 times a week. For other skin types, you can apply daily.
Avoid more advanced treatments or ingredients if your skin is compromised.
Are you dealing with maskne already? Avoid advanced treatments and ingredients for now! Let your skin heal and breathe first with a solid cleansing, toning, and moisturizing regimen. Avoid experimenting with new ingredients - focus on making sure your skin is properly cleansed every day and be sure to protect your skin’s barrier. For example, this might not be the right time to explore microneedling or incorporate a new Vitamin C serum.
Try a masque treatment and/or hydrating mist to help calm blemishes and dryness.
Tried everything and still dealing with stubborn maskne? A safe and effective way to “reset” your skin is to try a masque treatment to help with blemishes, or to opt for a hydrating mist to help provide hydration and ease dryness/irritation that can cause that pesky maskne. Some of our favs for fresh, clear skin are:
ZO Complexion Clearing Masque: a 10% sulfur masque specifically formulated to treat and prevent acne. This formula will help to purify the skin and absorb excess oil, while also keeping skin hydrated.
ZO Brightening Sheet Masque: a perfect afternoon hydration boost! This quick-fix sheet masque delivers deep hydration to avoid breakouts from dry skin. Salicylic and lactic acid keep acne at bay, while soothing green tea and arbutin provide additional hydration (plus a brightening effect!).
ecoMD Soothing Hydration Mist: botanical extracts abound in this little bottled wonder! Easy to quickly spray on for a hydrating effect. If your daily mask-wearing exasperates your rosacea or redness-prone skin, this is a great way to break up the day and provide some hydration and relief to that irritated skin.
Glo Skin Beauty Hydration Mist: another one of our quick-fix favs, and perfect for dry-normal skin! Small enough to fit in your purse, this is a great way to get a burst of hydration halfway through your day. Spray on and pop your mask right back on and let the hydrating antioxidant formula do the work for you.
Still need assistance? We’re here to help! Give us a call or book a consultation to see where we can take that beautiful skin.