As we adapt to the new normal due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, wearing a mask is essential whenever you step out of the house. In fact, in numerous countries and states, wearing a mask is now required in public spaces and workplaces.
Wearing a mask for long hours, however, can cause acne breakout around the cheeks, chin, and nose bridge. This leads to redness, pigmentation, and irritation on the skin. In some cases, these breakouts can even turn into blackheads, whiteheads, cysts, and abrasions.
This is called maskne, or mask acne.
Why does this happen? When you wear a mask, all the pollutants and dirt are trapped in your skin, along with oils, sweat, and humidity. This is very common, especially during the hot season.
To combat this, we need to up our skincare game. How? Check it out here!
1. Cleansing
The first step in every routine is cleansing, and it is absolutely essential in our new normal. We need to cleanse the face before and after wearing a face mask to get rid of any impurities, dirt, oils, sweat, and make-up left on the skin to prevent breakouts. A good cleanser is The Face Shop's Rice Water Bright Cleansing Foam, as it also helps removes dead skin cells and exfoliates the skin, leaving your skin soft and bright.
2. Exfoliating
Exfoliating is a must to eliminate dead skin cells and reduce clogged pores, which ultimately prevents your skin from breaking out. It also targets whiteheads and spots on the skin, removing them for a bright and clear complexion. An effective one is the COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner. It is a chemical exfoliant that helps improve skin texture while exfoliating. It is also gentle and soothes the skin.
3. Moisturizer
After cleansing and exfoliating the skin, it is essential to apply a moisturizer to help hydrate the skin. A moisturizer helps nourish and rejuvenate the skin, providing you with a healthy glow. A cult favorite is the Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream, as it delivers intense moisture and helps the skin by being enriched with essential minerals, giving you fresh and hydrated skin.
4. Tinted moisturizer
When wearing a mask, it's best to ditch heavy face products such as foundation, especially during the hot summers. A lightweight tinted moisturizer perfect for everyday use is the Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream with SPF 42, as it still conceals your blemishes as it is medium-coverage. On top of that, it has SPF in it, which can protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
5. Sunscreen
Sunscreen is essential if ever you need to step outside of the house. Using sunscreen daily helps to prevent tanning, pigmentation, dullness, skin irritation, and aging. A lightweight sunscreen perfect for those on the go is the COSRX Shield Fit Snail Essence Sun Cream SPF 50. it is perfect in protecting your skin from sun damage, and since it is enriched with snail mucin, it can treat a variety of other skin concerns as well.
6. Pimple Patches
Getting a pimple or two is inevitable, but you should never pick it, as it could get bigger, irritated, or worse, infected. Pimple patches act as a barrier between the mask and the skin, allowing the pimple to pop without any irritation. The most famous pimple patch on the market is the COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch.
If you keep these steps in mind, maskne won't be a problem for you!
