/ˈMasknē/noun"Maskne is acne or other skin irritation that results from wearing a mask, especially a medical, N95, or cloth face mask. Maskne trended during the outbreak of COVID-19 due to the widespread wearing of face masks to protect against the coronavirus." - Dictionary.com
As if 2020 hasn't been difficult enough, it had to bring Maskne along with it. When it comes to wearing PPE and stopping the spread of COVID-19, we are on it 100%. Wearing a mask not only helps keep you safe but dozens of others that you interact with. Although incredibly important to follow these health and safety guidelines, we also sympathize with those who may be experiencing acne, rashes and other uncomfortable skin issues caused by daily wear. Our team at Miracle 10 is here to not only help encourage healthy skin habits but hopefully educate you as well. Whether you're looking to stop maskne in its tracks or prevent it from even happening, these are the steps you need to take.
Step 1: The type of mask you wear matters to your skin...
... But make sure it's still an effective mask. Opting for a breathable material like a 100% cotton will be gentler on the skin and overall more comfortable to wear. That being said, the purpose of wearing the mask or any form of PPE is to ultimately stop the spread of the virus. So, to make sure your covering is adequate, do the breath test.
- Secure your mask on and make sure there is a skin-to-mask seal
- Place your hand in front of your mouth and breathe out a few times
- If your hand can feel the warm air of your breath through the mask then it is not effective enough
Look for a cotton mask that also includes a filter. Having the extra barrier will help block transmission better and is way kinder on the skin than a synthetic surgical mask. Don't forget to wash it frequently - this is key!
Step 2: Cleanse-on and cleanse-off
If you want to make sure you won't breakout from wearing a mask, you'll need to cleanse your skin more than we'd normally advise. Have you noticed the amount of moisture that builds up under your mask while breathing? You are essentially creating a breeding ground for bacteria to grow around your nose, mouth, cheeks and jaw area (yay). Some health advisors have gone as far as to recommend washing your face before you put on the mask as well as once you've taken it off. We think this should vary by person and their mask-wearing habits. But, if you're someone with maskne and wearing a face mask for 6+ hours a day, this may be a good routine to follow.
Before reaching for your usual face wash, go for a gentler cleanser that will help soothe the irritation. Choosing a well-formulated face wash is crucial to avoid over-stripping the natural oils from your face. And if you need a little pick-me-up throughout the day, spritz a refreshing facial mist like Rejuvenating Mist to relieve any itching while also adding extra hydration to your skin.
Step 3: Boost Your Hydration With Vitamins & Antioxidants
Your usual moisturizing routine might not be cutting it to really soothe and heal what your skin is experiencing. Adding vitamin and antioxidant-rich ingredients in the evening with something even more moisturizing than you typically reach for is a great way to nourish the skin and combat breakouts - it's exactly what Botanical Oil Concentrate was formulated to do, and can be layered on as a final step to your typical evening skincare routine to lock-in and boost healing benefits.
Step 4: Skip the full beat
We're honestly the last ones to discourage glam makeup looks, but if you're going to cover up all of your hard work anyway, you might as well save your pores from any further bacteria build-up. Skip out on the heavy foundation and opt for a glam eye look instead. There's no reason you can't rock a smokey eye with your (not-so-glam) face-covering! In lieu of a makeup look, apply a face mask instead. Treat your skin with Mask at least once a week to nourish any inflammation and redness while refining pores and diminishing the appearance of broken capillaries and acne.
Step 5: Don't touch your face
This rule should apply whether you have a mask on it or not. Touching your face is just asking for a breakout. Read that line again. Now more than ever, you will want to avoid contributing more bacteria to what could already be festering underneath your mask. Those of you dealing with rashes from the friction of wearing a mask, we feel you. But trust us when we say, itching it will only make it worse!
Think of these steps like our newly adapted hand-washing hygiene. It will take some getting used to, but in time this new habit will become your maskne saviour. To help you combat these *unprecedented* skin concerns, we've created The "Mask-ne" Bundle that features 3 of our holy-grail products and when you grab all three, you'll get 10% off.
How are you dealing with pesky maskne breakouts? Share your tips and tricks in the comment section below!