In a world where face coverings have become the norm, many of us (even those that have never suffered before) are becoming all too familiar with the dreaded maskne.
What is maskne?
Maskne just stands for mask related acne. So it is essentially any kind of breakout on the area underneath your face covering.
So what causes Maskne?
It is caused by the heat & friction from a face covering continuously rubbing against the skin. There can also be an increase in humidity behind your mask from your own breath, which can lead to dry and dehydrated skin.
These can cause irritation, ingrown hairs, clogged pores and breakouts.
What can we do to help?
There are multiple things we can do to help prevent/lessen maskne 👇🏼
Make sure your mask isn’t too tight - this will lead to more friction. Obviously it needs to fit well enough to stop bacteria getting in and out, but there should be adequate room to avoid chafing.
Try not to wear makeup on the area covered by your face covering - this is definitely easier if you’re wearing a mask all day, rather than taking it on and off. No one wants to look a Wally with half a face of makeup wandering down the street.
Change your face covering to a clean one frequently - Whether you use cotton masks, or disposable ones, they must be changed regularly to stop the bacteria building up and rubbing on your face. Put a fresh one on at least a couple of times a day.
Wash your face as soon as you can after taking your mask off - It might be handy to carry around some salicylic acid pads in your bag for when you’re not going to be home straight after removing your mask. Eg. when commuting.
Use a salicylic acid product to clean out pores and decrease spot causing bacteria - Salicylic acid works like a little Tasmanian devil, going into the pores swirling round and bringing all the crap out of the pore. It is also a great anti-inflammatory and can be used on ingrown hairs too!
Moisturise! - When we breakout people tend to shy away from moisturiser as they think it will make their skin more oily and lead to more breakouts, this is in fact the opposite of the truth. If our skin is dry/dehydrated from our breath behind our masks, it needs an increase in hydration levels. Oiliness and hydration are two completely different things! However, if your skin is dehydrated, it will be inclined to actually produce more oil (sebum) to compensate and to help protect itself, which in turn can then lead to more breakouts, so hydration is definitely key! Hyaluronic acid is my go to hero ingredient for hydration.
Avoid harsh exfoliation - The skin is already irritated, we don’t want to cause more with a really gritty scrub. This can also lead to scratching the surface of a breakout and spreading bacteria around the face. Instead, opt for lactic or glycolic acid (AHAs) or salicylic acid (BHA) to gently exfoliate dead skin cells without causing unnecessary trauma. The word acid sounds scary, they're really not. Our skin is naturally acidic so therefore loves these acids, and hence why they work so well.
Book in for a facial - Gentle skin peels & LED light therapy will do your skin the world of good when you’re dealing with breakouts.
Definitely establish a good homecare routine, and stick to it!
DO NOT PICK! - you don’t need lecturing on this one, we all know we shouldn’t and why, yet we still insist on taking chunks out of our faces 🤦🏻♀️🙄
Ask a professional for advice - we know our stuff and we always want to help.
We recommend IMAGE Skincare:
Ormedic balancing facial cleanser - A mild, refreshing gel cleanser that gently foams away impurities, leaving skin soft and hydrated. A nourishing complex with organic aloe vera and botanical extracts soothes and cleans delicate skin. The satiny texture restores softness and balance to the skin. Featuring a refreshing natural fruit scent, this cleanser is lightweight & foamy as it cleanses the skin.
or
The MAX Stem Cell Cleanser - Powered by an advanced polypeptide complex and plant-derived stem cell technology to turn cleansing into a luxurious experience. This creamy wash is free of sulfates and acids to balance and optimize the skin’s pH. Carefully selected botanicals nourish the skin and work to protect it against the daily onslaught of environmental pollutants.
Clear Cell Restoring Serum - A soothing serum that hydrated and soothes blemish prone skin while absorbing surface oils for a mattifying effect.
or
Clear Cell Clarifying Pads or Lotion - Deep cleansing, salicylic acid treats acne, while glycolic acid exfoliates dead skin and helps to keep pores clear. Soothing antioxidants help keep the appearance of redness in check. The pads are great for on-the-go cleansing after exercise or for use just removing your mask.
I Mask Purifying Probiotic Masque - A super green flu mask that helps to purify and detoxify the skin without drying, while balancing its natural flora & bacteria.
If you have any questions, or require any further advice please don't hesitate to get in touch.
And if you've read the whole way down to here, THANK YOU so much! 😊 xxx