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What is Maskne?
Wearing masks can be a bit of a battle: running out of breath when going up the stairs or having hundreds but being unable to find one. There’s one issue that doesn’t get talked about a lot is the spots, pimples, zits and blemishes that appear from wearing your mask for a long time. This is maskne – a combination of ‘mask’ and ‘acne’. Extra spots can be formed from heat and friction on your face, especially around the mouth, nose and chin (all the areas the mask covers). Moisture from your breath gets trapped on your skin when you wear a mask, meaning an increase in humidity that can further irritate your skin.
How to Prevent Maskne
- Change your mask daily. And always start the day with a fresh one. This will reduce the amount of oil that comes into contact with your face. (Cotton and silk masks are best for your skin.)
- Wash your face twice a day: Cleanse, tone and moisturise. To get a deeper cleanse, apply cleanser with your fingers to your face with circular movements and wash off with water. This prevents your skin making more natural oil. Tone your skin to balance the pH of your skin. Use a moisturiser to hydrate your skin.
- Exfoliate 2-3 times a week, no more as it can dry out your skin, meaning your skin quickly tries to make more natural oils.
- Use a face mask 1-2 times a week, look for one which deeply cleanses; clay masks are good for this.
- Avoid playing around with your mask whilst it is on your face, as this causes irritation to your skin.
- Remove your mask when you can, so your skin can ‘breathe’.
- If you wear make-up, try and avoid wearing it where your mask is, as this clogs up your pores, and this increases the risk of break outs.
- The hardest step for some is to not squeeze and pick spots, but try to avoid it as it spreads the bacteria in the spot and can create new ones.
The BBC video contains some practical tips on how to fight face ask breakouts from Dr Sivanie Sewel, Consultant Dermatologist.