Maskne is real, friends. Here’s how I cured mine
Has the pandemic played havoc with your skin? Find out how to fix it...
“All of this is actually pretty preventable if you know the right steps.”
let me start by saying that I am totally and completely aware that, in the grand scheme of things, this is a very small problem to be complaining about right now. But unlike the utter shit-show that the global pandemic has brought about, it’s a problem that is relatively easy to fix. And, as a skin-obsessed beauty editor, I just need five minutes to talk/vent about it.
Is that okay?
So: maskne – and yes, that’s the official name for the very common, very annoying form of acne that comes from wearing face masks, was something I dealt with constantly during the first low months of quarantine, back in 2020. Because, duh, I wore a mask absolutely everywhere outside my home (and still do). And because face coverings create a humid environment that traps sweat, oil and bacteria on the skin, explains dermatologist Dr Joshua Zeichner, ‘this can cause whiteheads, red bumps and pustules’. But! All of this, I learned, is actually pretty preventable and treatable if you know the right steps to take. Which, after reading these pages, you will. And my now-clear skin is proof.
1. Wear a 100% cotton mask
‘Not only is cotton softer and less irritating on your skin than other rough fabrics like synthetic plastic (what N95 masks are made of), polyester and denim, but it’s also breathable, which means it’ll create less of a humid environment for breakouts to thrive,’ Dr Zeichner says.
2. Wash it every time
Don’t whine – it will only take a minute and is entirely worth it. A germy mask is doing your skin (and your health) zero favours. ‘Wash it after every use with a gentle detergent that’s dye- and fragrance-free,’ says Dr Zeichner, since those can get lodged in fabric and cause breakouts when pressed against your skin for long periods of time.
3. Keep your face clean, too
Specifically with a salicylic acid-infused cleanser. ‘It’s a beta hydroxy acid that effectively dissolves the excess oil, dirt and dead skin cells that build up in pores and cause breakouts,’ explains Dr Zeichner. Let the cleanser sit on your face for 30 seconds before washing it off so it has a chance to work its clarifying magic. If you’re going to be working out in your mask, do a cleanse both immediately before and after pulling it on. Sounds extra, but if you’re sweating under that thing, your skin could really benefit from a pore-purging double shot.
4. Don’t skip the moisturiser
After you wash, be sure to apply on oil-free one with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or glycerine. Skipping this means that your skin might churn out extra oil to overcompensate for a lack of hydration. And extra oil = more breakouts for you.
5. But do skip the under-mask make-up
Sorry, but wearing foundation, or any make-up for that matter, under a mask is a hard no if you want to avoid spots. ‘When make-up gets trapped against your skin like this, it’s basically a one way ticket to clogged pores and breakouts,’ says Dr Zeichner. This is doubly true for people who aren’t super diligent about washing their masks – any older make-up that’s still stuck on the fabric also gets smooshed against your skin again and again. If you must wear foundation, try one that’s oil-free, noncomedogenic and less likely to mess up your complexion, such as Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation And Concealer, £29.
6. Use benzoyl peroxide
Okay, so it’s possible that you do all the right things and still break out. (Remember when I said I needed to vent? Yeah.) This is where a leave-on benzoyl peroxide product comes in. It’s the best spot treatment for maskne, says Dr Zeichner. ‘Benzoyl peroxide reduces inflammation, kills acne-causing bacteria and helps open up pores, targeting all the main causes of angry pimples created by your mask.’ Just keep in mind that while the twice-daily treatment is effective, slathering on too much – or too-high a concentration – can end up irritating your skin even more. Your best bet is to head to the pharmacy and consult the person at the counter. They’ll likely recommend a 5% concentration. Go easy, follow the pharmacist’s advice and, if in doubt, consult your GP.