4 Tips to Prevent and Treat Maskne

Choose the Right Mask and Take Care of It

Ideally, you should wear a disposable mask and change it every couple of hours, but this is probably impossible for several reasons (this will cost you quite a lot of money, doctors and nurses need disposable masks more, disposable masks pollute the environment, etc.). That is why it is important to choose the right reusable mask and care for it well.

A 100% cotton mask will let your skin breathe, reducing condensation; synthetic masks, on the other hand, are more likely to cause irritation. However, skin oil and dirt will build up over time even when you’re wearing a soft, breathable mask, so you should change your mask every few hours. Wash used masks in hot water with a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic detergent and iron them on the inside before putting them on. You should also make sure that your mask isn’t too tight, otherwise it may cause skin irritation and chafing.

Check this out: 5 Tips for Treating and Preventing Skin Irritation Caused by Wearing Face Masks

Cleanse and Moisturize Your Face Religiously

Cleansing and moisturizing have always been an important part of any skincare routine, but they are even more important if you have to wear a face mask for hours. You should wash your face with a mild cleanser at least twice a day, in the morning and in the evening, and use a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer with ceramides or hyaluronic acid immediately after. If you have oily or problem skin, do your best to avoid heavily textured products to prevent clogged pores.

Ideally, you should also wash your face when you change your mask, but if this is impossible, you should at least use blotting paper to absorb some of the oil from the skin surface.

Check this out: 5 Ingredients to Avoid in Moisturizers

Ditch Makeup

Wearing makeup under your mask is not the best idea, because it will increase the amount of buildup and, therefore, the risk of maskne. If makeup is absolutely necessary, ditch heavy foundation in favor of BB cream or tinted moisturizer and use only products that are labeled “non-comedogenic”.

Check this out: 6 Tips for Wearing Makeup with a Face Mask

Use Anti-Acne Products Carefully

If you already have maskne, you’re probably considering using anti-acne products to make it go away. While this is definitely the right line of thinking, you should proceed with caution because certain anti-acne ingredients in high concentrations can weaken your skin’s barrier function and make things worse. Start with over-the-counter products that have a low concentration of active ingredients (such as zinc or salicylic acid). If they don’t help, consult a dermatologist before trying anything stronger.

Check this out: How to Take Care of Sensitive, Acne-Prone Skin