Here’s What You Need To Know About Maskne

Covid-19 pandemic has impacted people’s daily routines in numerous ways. People are now required to wear masks out in the public to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Though they are great for keeping people safe, masks can also lead to acne outbreaks. But there are ways to wear masks while also ensuring you mitigate the risk of outbreaks.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to reduce the risk of getting maskne.

What Is Maskne?

On social media, people have labeled the acne outbreaks they get from wearing masks ‘maskne.’ As more and more people wear masks, this phenomenon of getting mask-related breakouts has become more widespread.

The Science Behind Maskne

According to the Cleveland Clinic, breathing and talking releases a lot of hot air from your mouth. While wearing a mask, this hot air can trigger the growth of bacteria and Demodex on your skin.

Combined with the friction of wearing a mask, this bacteria can cause acne and perioral dermatitis — pus-filled patches of skin around your mouth and nose.

Though one might assume that using moisturizer, sunscreen, or topical treatments and wearing a mask may trigger maskne, the truth is a bit more complicated. Lotions and sunscreen can actually mitigate your risk of getting acne by reducing the friction caused by wearing a mask.

If you’re wearing a lot of lotion or sunscreen, you can exacerbate a breakout regardless of whether you’re wearing a mask or not. However, when wearing a mask, there’s a greater risk that these thick layers of lotion or sunscreen can trigger a breakout.

It’s important to remember why you’re wearing a mask, to help stop the spread of coronavirus. There’s a wide range of masks out there and you can find one that fits your skin’s specific needs. If a specific fabric is irritating your skin, you should look into alternatives or wash your mask before wearing it.

How To Reduce The Risk of Developing Maskne

These are a few things you can do to reduce the risk of getting maskne:

• When in an environment that’s regarded as safe and a mask is unnecessary, remove your mask so it doesn’t irritate your skin.
• Over time, your reusable mask can accrue acne-causing bacteria. To mitigate the risk of getting maskne, wash it frequently so your skin doesn’t come into contact with a lot of bacteria.
• Wash your face with appropriate cleansers.
• Whether you’re going on a hike or spending a day at the beach or park, there’s always a chance that you can get dirty. You should prepare yourself for numerous potential scenarios. When going out, bring an extra mask with you just in case your mask gets wet.
• Consider products with hyaluronic acid that can help you balance the natural moisture of your skin.

Scientifically Proven Methods To Treat Acne

If you do end up developing maskne, there’s no reason to get too stressed. There are plenty of treatments out there. Here are some scientifically proven methods to treat acne:

○      Benzoyl peroxide: This is a drying agent that works by drying out acne. 

○      Retinoids:  Dermatologists specializing in women with moderate to severe acne often prescribe retinoids such as tretinoin as their go-to acne treatment.

○      Oral antibiotics:  Antibiotic medications can also help treat acne. Often, they are part of a larger regimen to treat acne and are prescribed along with topical products such as retinoids. 

○      Oral contraceptives: Since birth control pills can help regulate your hormones, they may potentially treat your acne.

○      Spironolactone: Spironolactone works at a hormonal level. It can be a potential option for women who have an excessive amount of androgens (male hormones) and a doctor would help decide if it was the right treatment…

During the COVID-19 pandemic, masks will be part of our daily lives for the foreseeable future. They help us protect others and ourselves. But just because they are necessary for our health doesn’t mean we have to accept maskne as a reality. With the right products and strategies, you can mitigate your risk of getting any acne outbreaks. If you do end up getting maskne, there are treatments out there to help.