Suffering from breakouts under your mask? Our experts will show you how to fight ‘maskne’.
“Wearing a mask can be tough on your skin.”
But what can we do? Stop wearing a mask?… NO! We all need to continue to work together to stop the spread of Covid 19 and of course, wearing a mask is one of the most important things we can do!
However, we are here to help minimize the effects and keep you glowing through the gloom of this year and help you fight skin irritation and acne caused by face masks.
‘Maskne’: What is it and how does it happen?
The medical term for ‘maskne’ is acne mechanica, a skin condition brought on by prolonged wear of facial personal protective equipment. Masks impose heat, friction and occlusion on the skin and when combined with a moist environment from breathing, talking or sweating, this is a recipe for breakouts, pores get clogged and can become pimples or acne cysts. On top of that, the prolonged occlusion, heat and sweat can cause the skin to become dry, itchy and raw.
Acne, isn’t the only skin condition reported by mask wearers, other common face mask skin problems include:
Allergic contact dermatitis
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Rosacea
Classically worsened by heat and stress, mask wearing can increase flares.
Seborrheic dermatitis
It causes scaly plaques, inflamed skin and stubborn dandruff.
Folliculitis
When yeast or bacteria infect hair follicles.
How to Fight Maskne and Prevent It
On the bright side, you don’t have to live with ‘maskne’ till the end of this neverending pandemic. Some simple changes to your mask-wearing and skin-care routine can help you to get rid of your ‘maskne’ and can even prevent breakouts and skin irritations.
Our BODY.BAR skin experts share their advice on five steps to prevent and correct ‘maskne’ and skin irritations:
Now, let’s get into your skincare routine …
As we always say based on our skin care model “prepare, target, moisturize and protect.”
1. Prepare: Wash your face frequently and “double cleanse”
This is essential for both treatment and prevention. Make sure to start washing your skin before putting on your mask, and right after getting home. This shift means you’re going to wash your face more frequently and it’s important to use a gentle cleanser that won’t dry out your skin.
Our BODY.BAR skin experts recommend:
SKINCEUTICALS Soothing Cleanser
This calming, soap-free cleansing foam has a high-concentration blend of botanical extracts to dissolve impurities while soothing compromised skin.
- Soothes sensitive, compromised, or post-procedure skin
- Removes long-wear face makeup
- Non-comedogenic formula ideal for daily use
- Paraben-, sulfate-, soap-, synthetic-fragrance-, dye- and alcohol-free
- Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive
2. Target: Introduce Salicylic Acid serum to your routine
Introduce a serum with Salicylic Acid to your routine. This acid is unique because it can cut through oil and get into your pore lining. Apply the serum once or twice a day to clear your pores at night. This helps the skin to shed dead cells from the top layer, and decrease redness and swelling. Plus, it decreases the number of breakouts and speeds healing.
Our BODY.BAR skin experts recommend:
SKINCEUTICALS Blemish + Age Defense
Formulated with 1.5 percent salicylic acid, this amazing oil-free face serum reduces the formation of adult acne and improves visible signs of aging.
- Improves the appearance of blotchiness, blemishes, fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone
- Diminishes visible signs of aging
- Decongests clogged pores
3. Moisturize: Keep your skin moisturized
Not only will this keep your skin hydrated, it will also act as a barrier between your face and your mask, reducing friction. Apply onto a cleansed face before and after wearing a mask. Look for moisturizers that contain ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or dimethicone, which will provide extra protection. Repair creams tend to work amazingly for keeping your skin hydrated and prevent you from breakouts.
Our BODY.BAR skin experts recommend:
DERMA-V by VIVIER
DERMA-V is hands down one of the best products to cure and prevent ‘maskne’. It’s a carefully crafted and exclusive blend of 5 skin-repairing ingredients that strengthens the barrier function of the skin and repairs the skin’s microbiome, it helps in the treatment and prevention of mask related acne and irritation. The Prebiotics balance the bacterias in the skin to restore, rebalance and strengthen …
Why DERMA-V?
We’ve all heard about the importance of prebiotics in gut health, but did you know that prebiotics are also important to the health of our skin? Our skin contains trillions of bacteria that form our skin’s microbiome. Just as prebiotics in our food can alter the composition of microorganisms in the gut microbiome, when it comes to the skin’s microbiome, prebiotics are gaining interest as they nourish the good bacteria that live in the skin’s epidermis. When our skin’s barrier becomes compromised we have a weak skin that is susceptible to compromises and disease. Our skin’s natural microbiome becomes disrupted, we have dry, sensitive, blemish, acne, and lackluster skin.
What is DERMA-V?
DERMA-V™ is a first of its kind skin repair and barrier cream containing prebiotics and antioxidants. But it doesn’t end there…
DERMA-V™ in fact contains 5 synergistic ingredients (hence the Roman number “V”) that work together to repair and protect our skin’s barrier function:
- Prebiotics: Help to balance the microbiome and pH for a healthy and properly functioning skin.
- Antioxidants: Help to protect the skin from free radical damage and aging.
- Hydration Boosters: Boost the hydration, lipid and water content in our skin and help to prevent trans epidermal water loss.
- Repairing Boosters: Teprenone helps stimulates the creation of proteins known to protect and stabilize your cell’s DNA ensuring optimal cell health and longevity.
- Peptides: Help to activate cellular activity and limits glycation so our skin maintains its strength and elasticity.
Our research shows that in as little as 2 weeks, DERMA-V showed an increase of 200%+ activation of three key skin proteins to balance and maintain a healthy microbiome. DERMA-V also showed an increase 36% of natural ceramide production, 89% lipid content, 57% protein content, 18% water content.
4. Protect: Don’t forget sunscreen and skip makeup
If you’re experiencing face mask acne, you may want to cover it up with make-up, but products such as concealers and foundations can prevent pores and make ‘maskne’ tougher to treat.
While we suggest skipping makeup, don’t ever skip sunscreen! We can’t stress this enough. Layer a minimum SPF 50 over your moisturizer. A lightweight and oil-free sunscreen is ideal for acne-prone skin.
Our BODY.BAR skin experts recommend:
SKINCEUTICALS Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50
Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 is a tinted, broad-spectrum sunscreen fluid with 100% mineral-based UV filters which promotes radiance and an even skin tone. This product is good for all Skin Types.
- Provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB Protection
- Boosts radiance for a more even, luminous complexion
- Helps boost skin’s natural defenses to environmental stress
5. Choose the right mask
Another important step in preventing ‘maskne’ is picking the right face mask. Experts say; you should prevent using synthetics like polyester and rayon and stick to lightweight cotton or silk. The mask should also have two or more layers. It’s important to wash your fabric mask after every use, to prevent bacteria from building up under your mask. If you choose to wear a disposable mask it is necessary to throw it away after each use.
Even Though, ‘maskne’ can be frustrating, it’s important to keep wearing a face mask during this pandemic. Remember we’re all in this together.
If you’re confused, overwhelmed, or have any specific questions, remember you can always book a professional skin consultation with one of our BODY.BAR skin experts.
