3 Ways to Prevent Maskne (mask acne)
Ache.
That word has been a stress to us all at least once in our lives.
But just when you thought that was enough, 2020 body slammed us down with a new worry: MASKNE.
Maskne is described as a skin condition brought on by prolonged wear of facial PPE (personal protective equipment.) Daily PPE wear seems to be here to stay so maskne isn’t going away anytime soon. But the great news is we can fight this new foe with various measures.
1) Wash your mask – frequently :]
It’s first best to admit that it can be difficult to remember to wash your masks…they’re usually in the car, on a dresser or lost in a bag! But with these few tips I share next, I promise it’ll easily become a part of your daily/weekly routine.
- The first step is to purchase a small net laundry bag that’s usually used for delicates. They’re relatively cheap ranging from $3 for a single one and up to $14 for a set. I purchased mine from Hello Tokyo for only $3.
(First time users only)
- After purchasing, tie the bag to your laundry basket (or you can just throw it in there) so you can easily throw your mask in with your laundry without it getting buried in your clothes.
- Then when it’s laundry day all you have to do is throw the laundry bag in with your clothes!
- Also remember to use a non-fragrant detergent if you have sensitive skin. Personally I prefer GAIN (it smells so good.) The fragrance hasn’t irritated my skin so it works for me.
- Lastly, sometimes it can be difficult to find a place to lay out your mask to dry. You can throw them in the dryer but personally i prefer hang drying them so there’s no shrinkage. So for this I use a clothespin hanger rack. I first saw these used in Korea and wondered why I hadn’t been exposed to this great product before!
- Another cheap item to grab between $4 – $14.
And that’s it! With these two items you can easily incorporate washing your masks into your daily routine. A maskne free face!
2) Moisturize that wonderful skin~
This is very important! Since masks cause friction across the face, our pores easily become hotbeds for bacteria. Applying a layer of moisturizer will create a barrier for your skin. I prefer to moisturize twice a day, once in the morning and a sleep pack at night.
Morning Moisturizer – Nature Republic Aloe Vera $8
Night Moisturizer – Tony Moly Intense Care – Dual Effect Sleeping Pack $24
3) Try no makeup – come on, you can do it!
Personally, quarantining half the year due to Covid made not wearing makeup a breeze but depending on your relationship with foundation this step can be difficult or easy to achieve. Generally even without a mask on foundation will clog your pores – eventually creating regular acne.
If you can’t part with your favorite brands just yet try slowly moving toward concealer for certain spots or focusing on fabulous eye makeup to show with your mask.
And that’s it. These are the 3 steps I recommend to help with maskne prevention and recovery!