'MASKNE': How to Take Care of Your Skin for Mask-Wearers (Deep Dive)

If you wear a mask for any length of time it will, unfortunately, affect your skin. As well as the fabric/loops rubbing against your face, there will be sweat, saliva and dead skin cells trapped inside the mask which can create a place where bacteria like to live and grow.

This can cause breakouts on your skin and there is even a name for it now – ‘MASKNE‘ (mask acne). So what can you do to look after your skin in this situation? Julie Newman-Seunarayan, ‘The Facial Architect’, gives us some advice…

When somebody has acne the first thing they believe they should do is super clean the skin or exfoliate the skin. This, in fact, is the worst way to address this condition as it strips the skin of its natural acid mantle/skin barrier function. This leaves the skin open to further invasion of bacteria, further acne or other skin barrier related disorders such as dermatitis, eczema or ichthyosis.

Instead, here is what you need to do:

NURTURE YOUR SKIN ON THE OUTSIDE

Cleansing

Cleanse only at night time using a mild lotion cleanser to break down excess oil, debris and bacteria on the skin. A lotion or cream cleanser is better than a soapy cleanser as water-based, wash off cleansers will not dissolve oil build up in the skin. You, therefore, need to use an oil to break down the oil build-up and that is what you have in cream or lotion cleansers.

Toning & Moisturising

Use a gentle skin toner to rebalance the pH of the skin to its natural level (around pH 5) and then apply a moisturiser that suits your skin condition and in this instance your skin is sensitive.

Build Skin Immunity

Soothing products that build the skin’s immunity whilst repairing the barrier function are best. Products containing vitamins and peptides will work to rebalance and repair the skin barrier function.

Apply Facial Masks

If you have Maskne, apply a treatment mask to your face once a week, using one that contains mild lactic acid or glycolic acid as this will gently assist in purifying the skin and remove any build-up of hyper keratinisation (dead skin cells) that may be causing the congestion. If your Maskne is not acne but a form of eczema, dermatitis or ichthyosis I would suggest using a calming mask and one that contains immune boosters such as colostrum or vitamin C to reduce redness, protect the capillaries, strengthen the skins immunity and repair the impaired barrier function.

NOURISH YOUR SKIN FROM THE INSIDE

As well as eating lots of colourful fruit and veggies, supplementing with vitamins (such as vitamin A and C) and taking an omega oil that combines both Omega 3 and 6 is a good idea. Other forms of essential fatty acids (linoleic acid), like those found in evening primrose oil or flaxseed oil, will also help. These encourage the internal formation of the skin acid mantle and skin barrier function.

ALLOW YOUR SKIN TO BREATHE

Allow your skin to breathe by removing your mask as often as you can. This will help to fight the humid condition that your face is now subject to.

REMEMBER ORAL HYGIENE

Make sure you stay on top of oral hygiene by brushing your teeth regularly to remove excess bacteria but avoid mouthwashes that are alcohol-based. After all, the skin is a reflection of our internal cell homeostasis as well as our external world stimulus. Try to keep fingers and hands away from the area and replace your mask every hour with a fresh mask to ensure no build-up of bacteria is collecting with the mask.

STAY HYDRATED

Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and avoid makeup in the mask area unless the makeup is 100% pure mineral-based such as Jane Iredale Skin Care Makeup.

DE-STRESS

Take time to breathe (outside the mask), and do your best to de-stress as heightened stress levels also contribute to acne and hormonal changes within the skin.

Julie Newman-Seunarayan, ‘The Facial Architect,’ is the owner of Beauty on Demand (BOD). Julie has a salon in Leamington Spa where she offers advanced skincare with her team of experienced skin/beauty therapists who also share a high level of skin science knowledge. She is an advocate for the Environ skincare range.

https://www.beautyondemand.net/