MASKNE, THE REALITY OF COVID-19

New health rules imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic are making life difficult for the skin of the face. In fact, we are now seeing maskne, a type of acne that develops on the skin due to prolonged wearing of a mask or face cover. Fortunately, a good skincare routine and careful use of the mask can limit its spread.

How does the maskne phenomenon occur?

A lot of moisture builds up under the mask, which covers almost half of the face. Since some bacterias are more likely to thrive in a humid environment, they have the opportunity to do so even more under the mask. Bacterias, good and bad, are already part of your skin microbiome, but the simple fact of wearing the mask accelerates their proliferation.

The skin covered by the mask produces more sebum then usual which provides the ideal environment for the c.acnes bacteria (cutibacterium acnes), the bacteria that cause acne. The humid environment created under the mask is therefore perfect for it to develop and cause breakouts.

To help control Maskne

Fortunately, there are some tips which, once implemented, can limit and better control the maskne problem. For oily skin with imperfections, it is important to continue the same routine as usual, i.e., cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. The same goes for more targeted treatments containing sulfur or zinc. These can also be applied locally, directly to the imperfections under the mask. However, be sure to cleanse your face thoroughly in the evening, as soon as you get home, to remove all impurities and excess sebum.

In addition to having an exemplary skincare routine, it is important not to wear makeup under the mask. Make-up will in fact cause more debris which can enter the skin pores and thus facilitate the development and production of pimples, by blocking them.

In the case of normal skin, we will rather speak of irritation acne. The beauty routine also prevails and involves cleansing with a product that is gentle on the skin. You must treat the skin as you would a baby’s. It is therefore preferable to opt for a cleanser that does not foam, since a foaming cleanser will tend to dehydrate the skin. For make-up removal, we prefer a cleansing milk followed by a toner. For the evening routine, we will complete with a repairing/richer moisturizer. Upon awakening, in order to avoid removing the natural oils produced by the skin during the night, its protective barrier, you should only use a toner, without preceding it with a cleanser. Finish with a light moisturizer, due to the greater amount of sebum that develops under the mask.

We also suggest not to chew gum under the mask, since it will make you salivate more and will create more spit while you talk which will come back on the skin and cause irritation. Also, the menthol in chewing gum has an effect on the skin which may make it more prone to inflammation.

Take care of your mask

As the mask is placed on the face, make sure to clean it well to prevent further damage to the skin. Every day, it should be cleaned with hot water and mild soap and hung up to dry. The mask should be treated and maintained in the same way as underwear. It must be washed and changed every day due to the humid environment it creates and the bacteria that are on it.

The mask should also be stored securely so that it is not left in dust and bacteria, such as a purse, trouser pockets, or the center console of a car. To help, you can buy a mask chain. It work just like the chains used for eyeglasses, it will allow the mask to be worn around the neck, and thus avoid unnecessary exposure to bacteria.

By implementing these small gestures, maskne will be better controlled and the proliferation of pimples will be reduced. For more tips and advice, please contact the Acaderme team.