Forget designer handbags, masks are everyone’s new accessory!
2020 has come with a new way of life, including wearing a face mask. We know wearing a face mask is of high importance to ensure we are all keeping ourselves and others around us safe and are crucial in reducing the spread of COVID-19, but unfortunately, they can cause unwanted side affects, namely ‘maskne’ or ‘maskacne’ presenting as blemishes, redness, or inflammation around our mouth, chin, cheeks & jawline.
This can affect all of us, you do not need to wear a mask for hours to experience ‘maskne’, it can be caused by all types of masks. However, healthcare professionals are at more risk of suffering from this due to tighter fitting masks which are worn for long periods of time.
What is maskacne?
People who wear face masks regularly and have a history of problematic skin are more prone to experiencing ‘maskacne’ but it also seems to be affecting many who haven’t ever had problematic skin before, causing flare ups of acne around the jaw line & chin area. In early stages skin may just feel rough, or bumpy, but as this progresses these small breakouts can become irritated and progress to more obvious inflamed blemishes.
This can be caused by the following:
- Friction and pressure of the mask fabric sitting and rubbing the skin can cause acne machancia.
- The rubbing may create swelling, and that inflammation may lead to clogged pores and the formation of comedones.
- Sweat, bacteria and skin oil become trapped under the mask
- A closed environment and lack of oxygen does not allow skin to function normally.
- Higher level of moisture levels
- High humidity & heat causes pores to block, trapping sebum & resulting in bacteria growth.
Even though masks do have a detrimental affect on our skin it is essential we continue to wear them to help fight this virus!
We have put together some advice we recommend you follow to help fight maskne!
How to prevent Maskacne
There are a variety of different things you can do to help minimise the risk of ‘Maskne’
Prior to wearing a mask, ensure you have followed your daily routine, cleanse, tone, serum, moisturise, this will ensure skin is free from any excess oil, or bacteria and is protected. Applying a protective barrier cream to the affected areas would also be beneficial, such as La Roche Posay Cicaplast B5 Baume apply 30minutes before wearing your mask.
After you remove your mask ensure you double cleanse your skin and reapply your serum & moisturiser. If your mask is disposable, dispose after use, or if washable change & wash after every use.
Avoid make up whilst wearing a mask (foundation/concealer). Your pores will be enlarged due to the humidity of wearing a mask, so this will help prevent your makeup getting trapped in pores resulting in bacteria growth.
Avoid the use of medicated ingredients. Minimise the use of medicated products such as retinol or benzoyl peroxide. Even though these ingredients are typically used to treat and prevent acne, we recommend focusing on helping your skin to stay in its optimal state, through cleansing and hydration. This gives your skin the ability to combat environmental stressors that can irritate your skin and worsen acne.
Weekly treatment face masks you can double up on the use of weekly face masks with both pore cleansing and deep hydration.
Step 1. Cleanse
Step 2. Toner
Step 3. Apply pore cleansing mask
Step 4. Remove mask
Step 5. Apply hydrating mask
Step 6. Option one remove mask or option two leave mask on over night
Step 7. Apply serum & moisturiser (if removing mask)
Mask recommendations:
CliniCare Pure mask & ClinicCare Glow mask
Vichy Mineral Multi-Masking kits (set of three masks)
La Roche Posay Purifying Clay Mask & Hydraphase Hydrating Mask
Recommended skincare products to fight Maskne
CliniCare cutting edge cosmeceutical products. Using a unique combination of hyaluronic acid, vitamins, antioxidants, peptides and other powerful active ingredients. CliniCare’s special formulas deliver outstanding results. All products are designed to provide long lasting, deep skin hydration and rejuvenation. CliniCare products can be purchased directly through us.
CliniCare Foaming Cleanser
CliniCare Pure Liquid Moisturiser
CliniCare Pure Essence
CliniCare Pure Serum
La Roche Posay aim is to bring the most efficacious yet highly tolerated products to those with sensitive skin. La Roche Posay is recommended at a professional level by dermatologists, containing active ingredients and proven efficacy
La Roche Posay Toleriaine Dermo Cleanser
La Roche Posay Soothing Lotion
La Roche Posay Toleriane Ultra 8 Spray
La Roche Posay Toleriane Ultra Dermallergo Serum
La Roche Posay Toleriane Sensitive Creme
La Roche Posay Effaclar Purifying cleansing gel
La Roche Posay Effaclar Clarifying Lotion
La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo+
Monthly skin treatments. Treat yourself to a monthly skin treatment to deep cleanse, kill bacteria, reduce inflammation & calm any irritation.
Advanced Specialist Facial – A prescriptive, tailor-made facial using CliniCare cutting edge cosmeceutical products. A relaxing indulgence to leave your skin hydrated, supple and smooth.
Chemical Peel – CliniCare superficial peels contain a mixture of glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids to remove the upper layer of the epidermic encouraging regeneration and rejuvenation of new skin cells.
LED Light Therapy – The LED penetrates the skin at different levels, providing effective acne treatment. This is a gentle, heat-free treatment that does not contain harmful ultraviolet wavelengths so it cannot damage skin tissue. It is clinically proven to be safe for all skin types, colours and conditions, with no downtimes or risk of unwanted side effects.
PlasmaPoration – PlasmaPoration uses fractional and permeating tips to create an electrical current to introduce water-soluble substances through the skins surface. This is specifically designed for advanced skin rejuvenation, bio-revitalisation and cosmeceutical delivery.