Not all superheroes wear capes. But in this case, they all wear masks. Whether you’re an essential worker donning the mask for hours and hours (thank you!) or masking-up before a trip to the grocery store, you’re helping to protect your community and your health by wearing face coverings.

But when the mask comes off, you may have noticed some new facial foes: blemishes, skin irritation, peeling, or redness around your jawline, cheeks, and mouth.
Those irritations in fact have become so common that mask acne has now been dubbed maskne. 

“If mask-caused acne is not treated, it can lead to more acne but also the irritation can cause more of a breakdown in the skin barrier,”

says Amanda Elena

What is ‘Maskne?’

Maskne is acne breakouts along the jaw, cheeks, and mouth caused by wearing a face mask—get it? Mask, acne, maskne!Typically, acne occurs when pores become clogged by sweat, oil, moisture, or dirt. These elements trap bacteria beneath the skin’s barrier, creating a pimple. The difference between acne and maskne is one thing: a face mask. So how does the mask play into maskne?  Here are just a few ways masks can cause acne from a face mask: 

Moisture 

When confined beneath the fabric of a mask, your breath creates a humid environment. And according to Dr. Saedi, humidity is the enemy of clear skin. “Breathing for hours with a mask on creates humidity. That humidity becomes a breeding ground for acne.”

Bacteria 

Sweat, oil, and makeup can become trapped under the mask and clog pores. And bacteria is constantly being reintroduced into your skin thanks to your hands. Every time you adjust your mask or even just put it on, you’re introducing pore-clogging oil and dirt into your pores from your hands. Those clogged pores can result in—you guessed it —acne. 

Friction 

As you go about your day, your mask moves around your face, damaging the skin’s protective layer, sometimes called the “skin barrier.” And without that protective barrier, it’s easier for bacteria and grime to settle into your pores and make pimple babies.

 Warm weather 

Heat and humidity can exacerbate acne, inside and outside the mask. Higher temperatures increase your face’s sweat and oil protection. And the more oil and sweat, the easier it is for bacteria to turn into blemishes.

Cold weather 

Your mask can make maskne in heat or sleet. Cold weather can dry out your skin, making it easier for the mask to chafe the skin and break down and welcome pimple-causing irritants into your pores. 
No matter how you’re using your mask, maskne will probably be a consistent issue in the future. And left untreated, things could only get worse.

HOW TO PREVENT MASKNE

 An Acne-Fighting Skin Care Routine

Wearing your mask helps shield you against health concerns. And like wearing your mask, fortifying skin care practices can protect your skin from maskne.
Try incorporating these rituals into your skincare routine:

Cleanse your face regularly – Washing your face morning and night can prevent the build up of bacteria, oil, and other pore-clogging elements. But stay clear of the super-drying acne face washes—after hours of rubbing and chafing, your skin needs a gentler formula to keep the skin barrier intact.

So repeat after us: A gentle cleanser twice a day keeps the maskne away. 

BUT WHICH PRODUCTS CAN DIRECTLY SUPPORT THE ISSUES CAUSED BY MASKNE?

“I recommend using a gentle cleanser such as O Cosmedics Gentle Cleanser,” Amanda Elena says.

O Cosmedics Gentle Antioxidant Cleanser can cleanse impurities, environmental pollutants, and makeup from the skin without causing irritation. This formula’s inflammation-calming antioxidants also help reduce redness in blemishes.  

Stay clear of drying products  – When it comes to protecting your skin from irritations, supporting the skin barrier is essential. But drying products can make your skin more vulnerable to bacteria. That means taking a good look at your medicine cabinet and saying, “Hey, I think we need to take a break” to some of your products.

“PEOPLE MIGHT BE OVERDOING IT AT HOME WITH FACE MASKS, SCRUBS, WASHES, AND TONERS, OVERDOING IT WILL COMPROMISE THE BARRIER.”

Hold off on makeup – Without your mask, your makeup is flawless, tasteful, and a great boost to your confidence. Your foundation, blush, lipstick, and other formulas can mix with sweat, oil, and condensation from your breath to make a heady pore-clogging environment under your mask. Take a break from makeup on the lower half of your face. But feel free to go to town on your eye shadow and mascara!

HAND HYGIENE – IF YOU HAVEN’T BEEN WASHING YOUR HANDS… WELL, YOU REALLY NEED TO BE WASHING YOUR HANDS. THE OILS AND MICROSCOPIC GRIME OF YOUR HANDS CAN INTRODUCE IRRITANTS TO YOUR FACE. WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY WITH LUKEWARM WATER AND SOAP.

And lastly my all time Maskne skin hero is O Cosmedics Hydrating and Setting Spray, this grime fighting mini packs a punch when it comes up to those multiplying nasties. Our skin is covered in microbiome, the good the bad and the ugly. It holds the second largest amount of bacteria outside of our gut so it is essential to ensure that we