What is Maskne?
I’m sure most of us never thought they'd have to ask - what is Maskne? Maskne is something you may have started to experience since the introduction of face masks has become present in our day to day lives. Mask acne usually occurs around the mouth and nose, the areas your mask covers obviously. The technical term for ‘maskne’ is mechanica acne and comes from the mechanical friction of the mask against the skin. You are more likely to get blemishes from wearing face masks for prolonged periods because of the humidity, which is created when you are breathing in and out the same air. Although reusable masks are environmentally friendly, they do increase your chance of mask acne if you do not wash them effectively after every use.
Finding the Right Skincare Regime to Get Rid Of Mask Acne
Finding the right skincare routine, in general, can be overwhelming, but with the added concern of breakouts, it can be even more stressful. Sometimes you can end up investing in products that are not suitable for your skin type leading to aggravating your skin further. The choice is never-ending when it comes to purchasing skincare from vitamin C to brighten, to hyaluronic acid to plump, and BHAs to target problem-prone skin. It is no wonder that we end up getting it wrong sometimes, which is why we are here to help you to find a skincare routine that will get rid of maskne.
Oily Spot Prone Skin
Oily skin is prone to breakouts anyway because of the excess sebum on the surface of the skin mixing with dead skin cells, which end up getting stuck in your pores resulting in spots. Which means, oily skin with the addition of having to wear a face mask doesn’t mix well. When you suffer from breakouts, it is hard not to want to use every product on the market to try and get rid of them. But with spot prone skin, less is more, and it is worth going back to basics in skincare.
Cleanse Twice A Day to Help Prevent Breakouts
When you have oily skin and are suffering from mask related blemishes, it can be difficult to resist the urge to wash your face multiple times a day to help with the oiliness. However, excess washing can do the opposite and make your skin oilier. Therefore, stick to washing your face just twice a day.
When wearing makeup, you should do an extra cleanse before washing your face. It will help to ensure that all traces of makeup and grime are removed from your skin and don’t end up sitting in your pores. We like to use a pre-cleanser that is formulated to remove makeup. Micellar water is a good and environmentally friendly makeup remover. Make sure to follow up with an additional cleanse. The Sephora Collection Triple Action Cleansing Micellar Water is a firm favourite. Using a skin care device can help provide a deep cleanse into the skin without being too harsh on your skin. Using the skincare head on our T10 Electric Toothbrush can assist in keeping your hands from adding extra germs and dirt on your face while cleansing, as well as keeping your skin safe from accidentally placing too much pressure while cleansing.
When looking for a cleanser, it is important to stay away from harsh ingredients like alcohol and sulphates as they strip the skin. Salicylic Acid is a hero ingredient when it comes to fighting off breakouts and controlling oil. So, a cleanser like Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser would work well for oily spot prone skin.
Toners to Soothe Blemishes
Toner should be the second step in your skincare routine as they prep the skin ready for moisturiser. It removes any leftover dirt, makeup, oil, and pollutants after cleansing. Therefore, toner is an essential step as those excess nasties on your skin can result in breakouts. There are two methods you can try when applying toner. The first one is by distributing it on to a cotton pad and then swiping it across the skin softly. The second method is putting a little into your hands and then using your hands to gently pat the toner into your skin. The Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Toner is one of our current favourites as it contains cylindrica root extract and antarcticine, which soothes and moisturizes the skin.
Why Gel Moisturisers Are the Best for Oily Spot Prone Skin
It may come as a surprise to some of you, but oily skin still needs moisturiser. We know that the idea of applying moisturiser to already oily skin sounds like the worst idea ever. But if you choose the right type for your skin, you may be pleasantly surprised. When choosing a moisturiser for oily skin, you should stay away from rich, thick moisturisers and go for one that is lightweight but still provides hydration. A gel textured moisture like the Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Gelly is ideal when tackling maskne. These gel moisturisers absorb quickly, so they don’t make the skin feel even more oily.
Indulge in A Facemask to Get Rid of Skin’s Impurities
Treating your skin to a face mask once a week can help to draw out skin’s impurities. Stress can be a major trigger for breakouts due to the release of the stress hormone cortisol, and in recent months we have all had added stress in our lives due to the coronavirus pandemic. Stress, paired with the fact that we now must wear face coverings everywhere, equals very angry skin. Clay face masks are good for targeting blemishes as they unclog pores and detoxify the skin. We suggest putting your feet up, lighting your favourite candle, and indulging in some self-care with the Sand & Sky Australian Pink Clay Porefining Facemask.
Other Things to Consider If You Are Suffering from Maskne
It may be worth investing in a silk face mask as these are less likely to irritate your skin than other types of masks. Although on the slightly pricier side we think they are worth the money, you can even get ones with cute designs! While wearing your mask you should avoid wearing makeup to stop bacterial build-up on the skin.
Hopefully, we have helped you find a skincare routine suitable for any maskne you may be suffering from. Let us know in the comments below if you have any more tips or advice that has worked for you.
