‘Mask-ne’: My Top Tips To Help With Your Under The Mask Acne!

art: @bycarrmen

In our efforts to help stop the spread of COVID-19, we have all become accustomed to wearing masks in public spaces. Working in a customer facing role, I wear a mask for about 6 to 9 hours a day and, as this is still a relatively new law, I have noticed that my skin is struggling to adapt. I am lucky in the fact that I have never had major issues with my skin in the past, however since masks became mandatory I have noticed some considerable differences in the severity and consistency of my breakouts which I have struggled to control.

We all have oil and bacteria on our skin, and when we wear a mask these substances build up more easily causing our pores to clog. This can also be worsened by our breath and sweat causing a humid environment under our masks or the friction between our skin and masks causing irritation. 

Obviously, we have to keep wearing masks to keep others safe from coronavirus, so what can we do to help out skin?  I am not a healthcare professional, nor do I have any medical training, but after reading about mask-ne and trying to combat my own struggles, I thought I would share my top tips with you!

Wash Your Mask!

One of the easiest and most important ways to help your skin is to wash your fabric masks after every use! Try to use a hypoallergenic washing detergent if possible as this will help with any irritation. If you use disposable masks, make sure you use a fresh one every time you need a mask. Maybe you could keep a few in your bag or car to make sure you always have a fresh one to hand. 

Choose Your Mask Wisely

When buying a reusable mask, I try to avoid any unnatural fabrics such as nylon and instead, I look for masks made of cotton or silk to help reduce any irritation. Also, make sure your mask fits you comfortably around your mouth and nose to avoid chafing. 

Wash Your Face

Keep on top of your skincare routine! Wash your face twice a day and follow up with a good moisturiser as the heat and friction under your mask can cause your skin to dry out. My current favourite cleanser is the salicylic acid cleanser from 'The Inkey List' and my moisturiser of choice is the moisturising lotion from 'CeraVe'. They are both very affordable and I saw a noticeable difference in my skin after using them for a very short amount of time. 

Try To Wear Less Makeup

This was a hard step for me as I have worn makeup for many years and it gives me a great deal of confidence on a day to day basis, but wearing less makeup under my mask significantly reduced my mask-ne. I got trapped in a vicious cycle of wearing makeup because my skin was bad, but then my skin would get even worse because I wore makeup under my mask.  Try to bear in mind that when you have a mask on, no one can see your mask-ne, your mask can hide that insecurity for you. This made it easier for me to go about my day without any makeup. Wearing makeup can clog your pores and so can wearing a mask, so doubling up on these two things isn’t great for your skin.

Don’t Touch Your Mask!

Constantly touching and adjusting your mask transfers dirt and irritants onto your face which will contribute to your mask-ne!

Give Your Skin Some Breathing Room

If you are having to wear a mask for a long period of time, try to find a private space to take off your mask for ten or fifteen minutes every four hours to give your skin a break. I try to do this during my break so that I can ensure I am practicing social distancing and not putting anyone at risk. Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly before touching your mask to prevent the transfer of bacteria.

I know that mask-ne can be so frustrating but it is important to remember that this won’t be forever. We must continue to wear our masks to protect the vulnerable members of our communities from getting ill and to help us see an end to the high rates of COVID-19 that we have seen over the past year. Regular face washing and moisturising will help to calm your mask-ne breakouts, as well as choosing the right mask for you and cutting down on the amount of makeup you wear on a day to day basis. 

If your mask-ne persists or becomes more severe or painful, get in touch with a healthcare professional or dermatologist to get some help!

by Claudia Birchenough (Staff Fashion & Beauty Writer)

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