Even though Lockdown is over, face masks is still a thing along with maskne. For those of you who don’t know, maskne is a form of acne that is caused from wearing a mask. So how can we avoid it?

We spoke to skin specialist and medical aesthetician, Bianca Estelle who gave us the lowdown on how to deal with maskne.

How is maskne caused?

There are a few reasons for experiencing breakouts after wearing a face covering and this can include bacteria being transferred from the mask to your skin, congested skin, friction from the fabric and general skin irritation. Also lack of oxygen to the skin (area) and surplus oil or build up on the skin is a breeding ground for bacteria resulting in acne and breakouts.

How can it be prevented?

Some simple steps to help manage maskne can include:

Choose the right fabric

Of course, being protected from the virus/s is the most important thing when choosing a face mask but if you want to specifically source one that addresses maskne, choose one that is soft on the skin and a fit that avoids friction. 

Keep clean

Wash your face with a good quality cleanser both morning and night and always wear a clean face covering. Active ingredients that are particularly beneficial for breakouts are Salicylic Acid and Glycolic Acid and you could also incorporate antioxidants like Vitamin C, particularly if you are going to be out and about. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, so I always recommend it for daily use but especially so now.

Protect under your protection

Skin hydration is so important and particularly if you are using active ingredients that encourage cell renewal and therefore, constantly expose fresh skin. Even though you are wearing a mask, always remember to apply your sun protection daily as the rest of your skin will still be exposed to the elements. 

Try a different kind of mask

We instantly think of face masks as being the cloth coverings we use but treat yourself to a face mask of the skin care variety. These can really help to address breakouts when regularly used such as twice weekly. 

Embrace the natural look

Some makeup can clog the skin so try to limit wearing too much foundation/face cosmetics and as already mentioned, always remove it well to avoid any residue remaining in your pores and causing breakouts.

Do you have any tips on the type of masks people should wear that will be kinder to their skin?

All good quality face coverings on the market right now are designed to be breathable at the same time as offering protection but I would suggest opting for a natural fabric like cotton or silk (as long as its washable!). Ensure you have a few masks that you can rotate so you are always wearing a clean one and when you wash them, do so with a gentle fabric detergent that you would usually wash your pillows with so you know they are kind to your face.