Continual use of face masks brings about new acne issue for some
Choose a 100 percent cotton mask, which may be kindest to the skin, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
You can thank COVID19 for adding another new word to your vocabulary: maskne. That's short for mask acne or the side effect of your mask rubbing against your face.
Dr. Mark Williams with Jamestown Family Medicine said there are a couple of reasons why this latest virus-related complication develops.
“Maskne occurs for two reasons,” said Williams, who practices with Premier Health Network. “It's a combination of the rubbing of the mask on your skin and the trapping of your skin's oils and body sweat.”
Here are five things you can do to help prevent maskne:
Wear the right mask: Choose a 100 percent cotton mask, which may be kindest to the skin, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Protection from virus transmission is improved if the mask has two layers, Williams adds.
Keep a clean mask:
Wash your mask every day to prevent a build-up of sweat, oils, and make-up.
Practice good hygiene: “Keep your face clean, but don't wash it too often or you can dry out your skin and make the problem worse,” Williams said. He recommends using a non-soap cleanser like Noxzema® or Neutrogena® Acne Wash, then follow with a very mild moisturizer.
Limit make-up: Cut down on make-up. “Some make-up contains chemicals that can really irritate the skin when it's trapped behind a mask,” Williams warns.
Give your skin a break: Remove your mask whenever it's safe to do so. This lets your skin breathe. “I've seen people driving alone in their car wearing a mask,” Williams said. “That's a good time to remove it and get some air flowing to your face.”
If the acne gets too bad, Williams suggests consulting a physician or health care provider.
“Treatment would be similar to treating regular acne,” he says. “I'd suggest benzoyle peroxide but use a much less potent solution than 10 percent, which is typical for acne. That's because when you treat your skin and then cover it with a mask, the mask actually multiplies the potency of the benzoyl peroxide.”