How To Combat Maskne
LILLY PULITZER MASK IS CURRENTLY SOLD OUT, WILL KEEP MY EYES PEELED
PHOTO BY RYAN KELL
I’ve perfected my smize (smile with my eyes) while wearing masks but have struggled greatly with maskne (acne from wearing masks). While it’s WELL worth it to protect myself and others around me, the struggle is certainly real. After doing a little research, I’ve found that it’s very common problem for many people across professions who have required masks long before the COVID outbreak. Here are a few tips + products that I’ve been using that have helped me significantly.
cotton masks
When looking for masks (or making your own if that’s your jam), cotton is the way to go. Cotton is both comfortable and breathable, minimizing irritation for the skin. Make sure the mask is tight enough to avoid constant adjustments and sits close enough to the skin to create a skin-to-mask seal. You can peep some of my picks below as well as search Etsy for cotton masks and support independent sellers. Re: washing, I found this article insightful! I’ve been washing my masks weekly in the washing machine with my other delicates. You can check out how I do it on this post here.
2. minimize your skincare routine
Don’t get it twisted - you still want to take care of your skin, applying skincare and moisturizing to help create a barrier between your skin and the mask. Think quality over quantity. Yes, this still applies even if you’re acne prone or oily! I have combination skin and although I’ve simplified my skincare while wearing a mask, I’ve noticed that it does make a big difference. It’s also important to note that masks do not replace sunscreen- you’ll still want to apply your SPF which is where my favorite Weightless Liquid Mineral Sunscreen comes into play- non-greasy, absorbs quickly and you can wear alone or under makeup. The sheer tint blends seamlessly into all skin tones, plus it’s oil-free & non-comedogenic so it won’t clog pores- perfect for mask wearing! I’ve linked a few of my simplified favorites below and on this blog post:
3. Skip the makeup (if you can)
Wearing a masks creates a humid environment on your face so makeup could lead to clogged pores and breakouts. Keeping your pores clear is absolutely essential to under-the-mask skincare, and makeup will only worsen inflammation or breakouts. I try to avoid foundation and just do the SPF mentioned above, some under eye concealer and my brows. When I have to wear makeup, I’ll do a disposable mask to try to alleviate the amount of germs and stains on my cloth masks.
4. treat your maskne
Be kind to yourself and your skin- remember, we’re in the middle of a pandemic! Stress takes it’s toll on people in a variety of ways and it’s more important than ever to take care of yourself, from the inside out! I’ve been testing these White Clay Acne Treatment Pads on my hormonal acne for a couple months now and they couldn’t have come at a better time. They’re alcohol-free pads that help keep acne under control without stripping or drying out skin- a major issue I have with acne-focused products. I was also pleasantly surprised by the BHA Acne Spot Treatment gel which visibly cleared up my acne blemishes, whiteheads and blackheads on the spot with this maximum strength Salicylic Acid formula. I’m super skeptical about spot treatments but this one is legit!
I hope you enjoyed these tips! Feel free to leave any others below. Definitely let me know if you have tried any of these tips or products. First Aid Beauty is one of my longterm partners for the year but this is not a sponsored post. I swear by their products and have been using their products since I was in college. I think they’re incredible quality at a great price point.
Thanks for reading! xx CMK
