‘Maskne’ is the new acne: here’s how to treat and prevent it

The ‘new normal’ brings a ‘new acne’ challenge and it’s called maskne.

Has wearing masks caused your skin to break out? Maskne is a very real thing. Thanks to the global pandemic, wearing masks has become a part of our daily routine and between all this, our skin has been taking a toll. Not to mention, with the heat of summer in the air and having to wear masks round-the-clock, it is no fun for our skin as we’ve been trapping all that bacteria and carbon dioxide — around that little space behind the mask.

[Featured Image Credit: United Nations COVID-19 Response/Unsplash; Hero Image Credit: Aiony Haust/Unsplash]

There might be acne making its way through on your face specially in the area with your cheeks, nose, and mouth where you come in contact with the mask. We are all wearing masks to protect ourselves from the virus, which is crucial, but at the same time we are giving invitation to bacteria — quite the face-palm moment. So, how do you prevent it or treat it? Fret not, we’ve listed out some suggestions for you to ensure that you don’t suffer from acne or skin problems during this Coronavirus era.

Supply up

If you’ve been going out daily, then ensuring that your mask is clean is very important. Simply buy those disposable masks so you can wear a fresh and clean one every day — or if you’ve got yourself a designer mask, then make sure you wash it.

Breakup with your makeup

If you’ve been wearing heavy makeup then you might want to reconsider your makeup routine for the time being. Why? Because when we apply a thick layer of foundation or concealer, it’s only clogging the pores, so actually, we are trapping more sweat, moisture, and oil on our faces. Keep it minimal with the makeup and possibly opt for eye makeup instead. With the new normal, we are only seeing half our faces anyways.

Moisturise your skin

Massage your skin with cleansing oil or balm to bring back that good moisture to your skin. Opt for the most basic skincare routine like a gentle non-soap cleanser or fragrance-free moisturiser. That should keep your skin happy.

Treat your face right

You might consider to up your exfoliation game. Give your skin that extra cleanse with gentle toner pods or use a clay mask at least once a week around the mouth area.

Don’t touch your face

Last but not the least, avoid touching that acne. Just don’t. If the problem persists, it’s best to consult a demonologist.