Tips for fighting acne under your face mask.
Here’s how to combat acne under your face mask
So, you’ve been wearing a face mask to protect yourself and others from coronavirus — good job. But now your skin is breaking out like it’s the night before your junior prom. It’s “maskne.”
There are many reasons we break out in the summer: sweat, grime, the wrong sunscreen brand. But in 2020 fashion, our skin is being compromised by the very thing that is keeping us safe from COVID-19.
Sarah Akram, a skin care expert in Alexandria, Va., breaks down what we need to do to keep our skin acne-free (or as close to that as possible) in the Summer of Face Masks.
Q: Why are people breaking out underneath their masks?
A: Breakouts are caused by bacteria that thrive in clogged pores. When you have a mask pressing against your skin all day, dirt, debris, impurities and even dead skin cells get trapped in your pores. These clogged pores can quickly turn into angry breakouts. Some folks are also experiencing some allergic reactions, either from the material they are using or the detergents they are cleaning masks with.
Q: What type of masks are more likely to cause breakouts?
A: Use a mask that is made of 100 percent cotton, because it is effective, yet gentle on the skin. I think 100 percent cotton masks provide a good balance of protection and breathability, and in the heat and humidity — what I need!
Q: How often should we be cleaning our reusable cloth masks?
A: First, if you’re using surgical masks, be sure to swap them out for a new one as often as possible. If you’re using a reusable cloth mask, invest in two or three of them (if possible), wash them with hypoallergenic detergent and switch them out every other day (or if you are not able to, try to wash your cloth mask daily/every other day.) Buildup will sit on the mask and then sit in your pores — it’s a recipe for acne!
Q: What is the best way to clean them so we don’t break out?
A: Wash them with fragrance-free, hypoallergenic detergent. I throw my masks in with my baby’s laundry using her infant detergent.
Q: What should our face-washing routine be right now?
A: For “maskne” specifically — I recommend to all my clients that they start by thoroughly cleansing their face both morning and night (I recommend a triple cleanse consisting of a pre-cleansing oil, clay mask and milk cleanser). This will help lift dirt, debris and impurities that clog pores. Use chemical exfoliation products around the area where you wear your mask. You can then use an exfoliating toner like Biologique Recherche’s Lotion P50 every couple days, or even twice daily, depending on your sensitivity level. Lastly, invest in a quality spot treatment gel like Environ’s SebuSpot. Apply it last in your routine, only on areas with active breakouts.
In addition to face washing, I recommend that my clients incorporate an at-home blue and red LED light therapy into their routine. Blue LED light can actually kill bacteria that causes acne. Red LED technology helps your cells to heal and regenerate much faster than normal. Combining these powerful therapies is the best treatment for fighting acne.
Q: What products priced between $5 and $25 do you recommend?
A: I’ve recently returned to work and am wearing a mask for eight to 10 hours a day. One game-changing product that has helped me combat “maskne” is MedZone’s Face Balm for Masks — it’s all natural and made to help prevent skin irritation while wearing a protective mask. I just use this balm where my mask is rubbing against my skin to help reduce friction.
Q: What foods should we eat to deter breakouts?
A: I find high-fiber foods help control my blood sugar, which is better for keeping acne away. Oatmeal, beans, apples and carrots are my go-to’s.
Oysters are one of my favorites. They’ve got lots of zinc, a nutrient that’s important for your skin. Zinc helps the body stop making chemicals that can cause inflammation, which is frequently linked to acne
I’m from an Afghan family, so I grew up snacking on cashews, almonds and pistachios constantly. People with acne often have low levels of antioxidants like vitamin E and selenium, which almonds and peanuts have a lot of. These nutrients protect cells from damage and infections, and while there is no direct linkage to acne prevention, nuts will help with general skin health.