What To Do About Maskne?

Maskne
Young woman with prevention mask and skin irritation on white background. Maskne - acne breakouts from wearing a face mask.

Acne is a well-known skin ailment, with more than 85 percent of youngsters suffering from outbreaks. Furthermore, acne affects more than five out of ten women and four out of ten males over the age of 25.

What really causes acne? There are numerous reasons, one of which is stress. Many people are experiencing increased stress as a result of today’s uncertainties. Hormones like cortisol might rise as a result of stress. Cortisol, in turn, causes your skin to generate more oil. Pimples, whiteheads, and blackouts are all possible side effects. Other skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis can be triggered by this.

Worse, using masks to try prevent the spread of COVID-19 can have negative effects on your skin. We’re probably all familiar with the practise of donning a mask by now. Many states have enacted mask legislation or guidelines.

When you wear a mask, you are assisting in the protection of yourself and those around you. However, there is a negative side effect: you are exposing your skin behind the mask to a warm, humid environment, which is ideal for bacteria to thrive. Furthermore, your skin is unable to discharge dead cells as it regularly does. On your face, those skin cells can accumulate. The result could be a case of “maskne,” acne produced in part by wearing a mask.

The unfortunate news is that this is the case. Even if you’re wearing a mask, there’s lots you can do to care for your skin. Maintain or begin a regular skin care routine if you don’t currently have one. In the morning and at night, wash your face with gentle cleansers. Exfoliate (i.e., remove dead skin cells) on a regular basis.

To keep your mask clean, remove it many times a day and wipe or cleanse the skin beneath it. Otherwise, keep your hands off your skin. Touching your face transmits dirt, and touching your face can exacerbate acne. Picking at pimples or breakouts is not a good idea. To get clearer skin, apply a topical lotion or cream containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.

The material that comes with it explains how to deal with this mild but common ailment. It explains what “maskne” is, why it occurs, and how to treat and prevent it.

Inforgraphic provided by Blume Skin & Body