Maskne is a portmanteau of "mask" and "acne." The term appeared in use during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 to refer to acne that occurs in association with mask-wearing.
Maskne's technical term is called "acne mechanica." It’s acne caused by friction on the skin. The friction of the mask on your skin can create irritation and heat, which impairs your skin's ability to slough off dead skin cells as it should. This leads to closed comedones and ultimately acne.
Since not wearing a mask isn’t an option for a lot of people, what are some ways we can take care of our skin to prevent maskne altogether?
Here are five tips to help you prevent Maskne!
First and foremost, use a clean mask every day! Wash your reusable masks with gentle, unscented detergent, and do not reuse your disposable masks.
Avoid wearing complexion makeup if possible. The friction from the mask will push bacteria, dirt, and debris from the makeup into your skin, which can lead to clogged pores.
Focus on nourishing your skin and repairing your skin barrier. CBD face oils, hemp seed oil, and rosehip oil are all very healing and anti-inflammatory. Apply these over your humectant ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerine to prevent water loss within your skin.
Avoid using harsh exfoliants. Lactic and Mandelic acids are both gentle and hydrating Alpha Hydroxy Acids- or consider enzymes instead. We're fans of gentle yet effective enzymes such as the Jan Marini Skin Zyme Mask and the Skin Zyme cleanser.
Consider a silk mask instead of a cotton mask. Silk masks will reduce the amount of friction on your skin.
Ice your face daily. We recommend using an ice roller or cool globes. Never put ice directly on your face, and always keep the ice baggy moving and never held in one spot for too long. This will cool your skin down, reduce inflammation, and reduce redness.
Apply an occlusive moisturizer such as the Image Skincare Vital C Hydrating Repair Crème to the area of skin your mask will be touching before you put your mask on- this will create a protective barrier on your skin to help reduce the amount of friction caused by your mask.
If you are following these tips and are still having trouble, we always recommend scheduling an appointment with your friendly esthetician at Glosshouz! We are happy to meet with you and help figure out a specialized plan of attack based on your skin's specific needs.
Or just give us a call or text! 303-459-4210
