If you wear a mask all the time (which you should really be doing anyways), this piece is for you! Over the past few months, I’ve had to deal with everything that comes with a pandemic – including maskne. Maskne is acne caused by wearing a mask. Essentially, a face mask can become a breeding ground for bacteria, sweat, and other nasty things that cause acne. I know, gross!!! Here’s how I’m trying to combat maskne.
- Invest In An Extensive Mask Collection
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Seriously, masks are a new cult accessory. To keep my skin clear, I make sure that I have a collection of masks that I can switch out daily, so I’m not using the same sweaty mask all the time. It is worth the investment. All of my masks are double-layer cloth masks that can be reused. No single-use masks here since we’re trying to be more eco-friendly!
- Don’t Wear Face Makeup Under Your Mask!
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Wearing makeup under your mask is practically setting yourself up for a whole maskne situation. Go crazy with your eye makeup, but any product you use on your lip and chin area will be more absorbed into your skin due to how hot and sweaty masks make the area. Nobody is going to see any facial features below the bridge of your nose anyway, so leave the makeup at home!
- Stay On Top of Your Skin Care Routine!
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Washing your face before and after you wear a mask is KEY!!! Unfortunately, masks make my face especially sweaty and acne-prone. Washing your face will wash away any bacteria that may get trapped underneath your mask. Since I often go on walks with my mask on, I saw a big difference in my complexion once I started washing my face after walks. I’ve also been using this product, Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, from The Ordinary to keep my maskne in check.
- Wash Your Masks Every Day
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Handwashing your masks with unscented soap and water also helps to remove excess dirt from your masks! Just like any other piece of clothing you’d wear, you should wash anything that touches your body for hygienic reasons. After handwashing, air dry your mask on a flat surface! In the meantime, you’ll have plenty of other masks in your rotation to wear!
After trying out these tips, hopefully your mask acne subsides! If you’re in need of cute, reusable masks, I recommend checking out Everlane, Athleta, and Reformation! Stay safe everyone!