The Maskne Struggle is Real, Here’s How to Prevent It
There’s no denying that coronavirus is forcing us to change our daily routines to adapt to current circumstances, including wearing protective face masks for extensive periods of time. Face masks do a lot to protect ourselves and others from spreading the virus.
Additionally, they’re the perfect cover-up for when you just rolled out of bed to go to class; We quite literally get to hide behind a mask. However, these masks, especially in the summer heat, create an ideal space for breakouts. As a result, we’re being forced to rethink our skincare troubles and routines.
Maskne happens because wearing a mask, especially under the sun walking around campus all day, creates the perfect place for bacteria to grow... We know, gross. Hot breath also causes a humid environment making skin easily irritated, thus resulting in blackheads and acne. Unfortunately, this is just another repercussion that we all must endure in order to control the spread of the virus.
Sure, maskne might not be the most important thing to be worried about right now, but it doesn’t have to kill your vibe. Luckily, we’ve compiled a few helpful steps for handling those mask-induced breakouts this season.
We have to start with the obvious: Make sure to wash your reusable masks after each use, and even switch out your mask a few times a day if you’ll need to wear one for hours at a time. 100% cotton masks use gentle material that won’t irritate skin. If you’ll be using disposable masks, make sure you’re disposing properly of it after each use. No rewearing! Rewearing masks even twice increases the amount of bacteria build-up inside the mask, making your body even more prone to bacterial (and illness!).
Ditch the face makeup around the mouth. The oil in face makeup can clog your pores, especially in a mask. No one will be seeing that half of your face anyway, so opt for a more dramatic eye-look if that’s your thing!
If you aren’t using an exfoliator, now is the time to start. Exfoliating once or twice a week with a scrub or chemical peel will help reduce oil and makeup buildup in your pores. Think of it as a detox for the skin!
When washing your cotton masks, use unscented detergent to avoid irritating and drying out the sensitive skin on your face.
Spray a facial mist or toner into your mask before putting it on. This way your face will remain fresh and hydrated under your mask.
Maskne is by no means ideal, but taking those few extra steps to prep your skin for everyday mask wear will give you the boost you need to prevent those annoying breakouts! Here’s to healthy, glowing skin… even if it’s covered by a mask for the time being.