What is Maskne ?
Maskne is acne that results from wearing a mask. Masks have become the most essential amenity of our lives. The pandemic of Covid-19 has made it impossible for us to leave the house without wearing a mask. We know that World Health Organization (WHO) prescribes that people wear a mask and maintain a 6-foot social distance in order to prevent spreading coronavirus infections.
Health care professionals especially wear the mask for long periods of time, this causes acne. When you wear a mask for a long time, you sweat excessively around the mouth, chin area, which reacts with dirt, pollution, and makeup residues, and creates a breeding ground for acne bacteria. Maskne is the result of this reaction. However, you need not worry any longer, you can easily cure it using a few simple ways to get rid of Maskne.
1. Properly Clean and Moisturize your face: CTM
Basic skincare is important after wearing any mask. You have to wash your face with mild facewash like Tea Tree Facewash or Aloe Vera Facewash which is chemical-free and mild. Cleansing your facewash is the first and crucial step to take a step against the maskne. Oily as well as dry skin people both face maskne problems due to excessive sweating, and accumulation of bacteria. Both of these factors along with the sebum secretion create a perfect breeding ground for Maskne.
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After using facewash you have to immediately use a skin-soothing toner to soothe your skin. Toner actually provides a pore tightening effect. You can use rose toner which is extremely good for your skin. Apart from that, cucumber toner is also very good for its skin refreshing property.
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Following the toner, you have to apply moisturizer which acts as a protective layer of skin that can alleviate dryness. In case you have oily skin, you should use an oil-free moisturizer or gel moisturizer to hydrate your skin. Use a moisturizer with the components Ceramides, Hyaluronic acid, Dimethicone. Choose moisturizer according to your skin texture and type. And prevent skin breakouts. If you have oily skin, then choose gel moisturizer in hot humid weather, if you have normal or combination skin use lotion, if you have very dry skin use thick cream in winter to prevent dryness. If you have sensitive skin then you can use tea-tree moisturizer to prevent Maskne and acne.
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Readmore: CTM Guide: Cleansing, Toning, Moisturizing
2. Protects your Lips with Lip Balm
As a result of wearing the mask, we are now experiencing very common skin problems, such as dry skin and chapped lips. To prevent this, apply petroleum jelly to your lips. Make sure you wash your face with a face wash before putting on the mask and also use lip balm before bed. It is also beneficial to apply petroleum jelly to prevent breakouts in general.
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3. Choose the Perfect Mask
The quality of the mask greatly impacts the skin, after wearing a facemask it creates a closed atmosphere around your chin and mouth area. Therefore this environment significantly increases the moisture around the area. The extra moisture does not affect your skin for a short-term period, whereas, wearing the mask for long hours promotes skin problems like breakouts because of excess moisture reacting with the assimilated bacteria. Generally, acne breakouts appear on the cheeks, chin, and nasal bridge. On the off chance that you have a background marked by skin break out, rosacea, perioral dermatitis, skin inflammation, or hypersensitive contact dermatitis, you might find that your condition is deteriorated by delayed facial covering wearing. Certain individuals can foster bothering or scraping behind their ears from the cover’s flexible groups.
The material of the mask is very important, so check the material of the mask before buying it. Buy organic cotton breathable mask. Never use a synthetic mask because this kind of material promotes excessive sweating and breakouts. Don’t use a mask that is too much tight or loose. We would suggest you buy a mask with an adjustable ear band which is more comfortable and does not irritate your skin behind your year. The cotton mask is gentle on your skin. The N95 mask is good for healthcare professionals but prolonged use causes pressure, also damages the skin tissue due to its tight fit. In case you are needed to wear an N95 respirator for work, eliminate the cover in a protected spot away from others for five minutes each a few hours. Additionally, change to a cotton mask when you can securely do as such, for example, after work.
Read more: Best Foods That Boost your Immune System
4. Do not wear Excessive Makeup
Skip the makeup or use non-comedogenic makeup to avoid maskne. Beauty products such as BB cream, concealer foundation clog pores and instigate mask formation due to the accumulation of sebum oil in the pore. Use non-comedogenic products, because they won’t clog pores.
You have to remember less is more. So, use minimum products before wearing a mask to avoid irritation and itchiness. Do not use products that contain enough amount of harsh chemicals.
Finally do not experiment with skincare products. Use those products which suit you best. Do not use chemical enriched personal care products which may irritate your skin.
5. Use Cortisone Cream
If maskne develops irritation, inflammation, your dermatologist may recommend using mild cortisone cream to the area combined with moisturizer enriched with ceramides. The best dermatologist in Sharjah also suggests some antibiotic cream to prevent maskne. Take professional help if the condition won’t improve. Follow a basic routine to protect your skin from maskne formation. It effectively protects your skin and relieves your skin from itching and irritation.
Our daily lives are incomplete without a mask. We have to wear one while going outside the house for our safety and well-being. However, you cannot reuse the same mask every day; you must wash it every day to stay safe. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a boomerang. Make sure that you wash the mask after every use in order to prevent maskne. If necessary, you can wash the mask in a hypoallergenic detergent, then let it totally dry. Be sure not to wash them in the washing machine to ensure long-term use.
Read more: Worst Foods to Avoid to Prevent Acne
