Beauty, Health & Fitness
How to Deal with Maskne: Acne From Wearing a Mask
We need to do our part to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. One of the key must-haves to protect your family (and yourself): a mask. Covering your mouth and nose in public spaces is an easy way to do your part and lower the risk of widespread infection. It’s a minor inconvenience, yes, but a small price to pay to keep loved ones healthy and safe. Plus, your mask can be both a style statement and a social statement — showing you care about your friends and neighbors with a fashionable flair.
While masks may be the new beauty norm, replacing the need for lipstick and gloss, there is one skincare consequence that sometimes pops up as a result of these face-cloth coverings: maskne! What is maskne, you ask? The heat and humidity of the summer can create sweaty conditions that foster the production of pesky pimples and bacteria — hence, acne caused by wearing a mask. Yuck! Fortunately, you can take some steps to improve your skincare routine and ward off these woes. Here’s how to treat face mask acne — or, better yet, stop it from starting in the first place.
Create a Barrier
Want to know how to prevent acne from your face mask? Well, as it turns out, your mask is not the only barrier you’ll need. You’re going to want to build up a veritable shield for your precious skin. Products with hyaluronic acid help to build a wall that protects your skin from common irritants. This Vichy serum strengthens the skin with its gentle, hydrating formula. Bonus: it has anti-aging properties!
Vichy Mineral 89 Fortifying & Hydrating Daily Skin Booster
Be Gentle
Avoid fancy exfoliators, lotions, potions and creams, and keep your routine simple. The most important step in preventing maskne is washing your face (twice daily!) with a cleanser that won’t strip your face of its natural moisture. Cetaphil is a classic dermatologist-recommended option that is super gentle and non-abrasive.
Want to be a bit more aggressive and wage war against existing maskne? If you are pimple prone, try a cleanser that contains about 2 to 5 percent benzoyl peroxide (any more and you may find it irritating!) or opt for one with Salicylic acid, as it can be mildly exfoliating.
Go Oil Free
It might seem counterintuitive, but now is not the time to forgo your daily moisturizer — just opt for a product that is non-comedogenic and oil free. Consider downgrading from a rich, luxe lotion to something lighter with built-in SPF.
Want to try a multi-purpose product? This Clinique option has hyaluronic acid, sunscreen, and a tint of color to even out your skin tone.
Moisture Surge™ Sheertint Hydrator Broad Spectrum SPF 25
Wash Your Mask
Your mask traps all sorts of nastiness, germs and dead skin cells. Disposable masks should be thrown out daily, and reusable cotton options need to be washed in a mild detergent on the gentle cycle of your washer after each use. This will keep your face mask effective and help ward off breakouts. Consider having one mask for every day of the week — this will greatly improve your laundry rotation and keep your look versatile!
Tide Free & Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent
Keeping healthy and safe needs to be your top priority right now, and wearing a mask is the best way to protect yourself and others. But that doesn’t mean you should also have to deal with unsightly blemishes. Stave off breakouts with a few key face mask acne treatment ingredients and some smart skincare switch ups. And, of course, don’t forget to shop with Rakuten to earn Cash Back on all the essentials.
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