Maskne (Mask Acne) - What to do?

While wearing a mask in public has become our new normal, our skin is taking its sweet time adjusting to the policy. Mix the sweat from the warm temperatures outside together with your skin's natural oils, the friction of your mask rubbing against your skin, and you got yourself a frustrating party of pimples.

But before you run to your dermatologist for prescription medications, try incorporating these simple changes into your routine to combat the breakouts and prevent future cysts.

1. Wash your Mask (and your face) after every use.

Cleansing your skin is key to preventing breakouts, so be sure to cleanse properly every morning and night. But a clean face will only stay clean so long as the mask covering it is also clean! If you are using a re-usable face mask be sure to clean it after every use (especially if you are sweating in it). Any gentle shampoo or mild detergent will work to cleanse it properly of oils and residue and will make a huge difference in your complexion. If you are using disposable masks be sure to use a new one after each use.

2. Use an exfoliating toner at night*.

As well as ensuring you keep both your face and your mask clean, using a toner with exfoliating acids after cleansing at night can help clean out your pores and eliminate any pore clogging bacteria your cleanser may have forgotten. A toner will also help to ensure the buildup of sweat and dead skin cells are sloughed away and not left in your skin to cause further cysts. Look for toners with salicylic acid, lactic acid, or glycolic acid. I find that my lactic acid toner is key to helping combat my maskne and keep my complexion clear.

*The protective mask can intensify product delivery to your skin. So when using acids (which can be irritating to skin if using too much too quickly), it is important to apply them at night when your skin can breathe and won't be covered by a mask.

3. Apply a skincare mask once or twice a week.

Using a clay mask or a mask with chemical exfoliants to help draw out the impurities as well as absorb excess oils caused by overheating in our protective masks is an excellent way to combat maskne. The ingredients in a mask, when left on for 10-20 minutes once or twice a week at night, are better able to penetrate the surface of our skin and deliver their benefits to the pores to help calm inflammation and prevent further breakouts. I have been alternating between clay masks and exfoliating masks to help remove all the buildup in my pores efficiently. Look for ingredients in a mask like:

Salicylic acid
Glycolic acid
Sulfur
Charcoal
Kaolin Clay
Papaya Extract

These ingredients are all effective in helping further clear out our pores and eliminate pore clogging bacteria while delivering a burst of concentrated ingredients to help nourish the skin.

4. Avoid heavy makeup under your mask

The frustrating reality of any acne breakout is that we tend to want to cover it up with makeup. But applying a heavy foundation or concealer to our skin and subsequently wearing a pore-suffocating mask on top can easily cause breakouts to intensify. One of the few perks of wearing a protective mask is its ability to cover the maskne. But if you feel more confident with your makeup on, opt for mineral-based makeup like Bare Minerals, Tarte, or a lightweight foundation.

5. Fragrance-Free is Key

While your favorite skincare products may have worked wonders pre-pandemic, artificial fragrance added to many products can cause a lot of irritation when mixed with the oils and sweat under your mask. I personally am working to adopt a more basic skincare routine by using a gentle cleanser and a mild fragrance-free moisturizer like those by Cerave.

If you have tried all of the above and are not seeing improvements talk to your doctor about options for spot treatments, or it may be time for acne medications. Don't forget that stress, diet, and your overall lifestyle also play a roll in your skins ability to heal itself. Think about what you are doing in your daily routine that may also be a factor in your breakout. It is easy to blame it on the mask, but don't disregard the other players in the game of acne.

I personally am working to combat a case of maskne as well, and I hope these tips offer some relief.