Preventing breakouts from wearing face coverings

Maskne, what is it and how do I fight it?  These might be questions you’ve found yourself asking lately.

As the global pandemic has changed our daily habits, we’ve had to adjust to social distancing, queues for grocery stores and wearing face masks in public to name a few. While we’re happy to take every precaution necessary to protect our loved ones, we can’t help noticing increased breakouts around our lower face area.

So what exactly is maskne?

Maskne is a clever new term coined to reflect the increased outbreaks people are noticing on the lower half of their faces since having to adapt to wearing facial masks in public. Adding another potential reason for cystic acne breakouts to a long list of things to avoid, maskne is the latest in a long list of ways our skin can let us down. 

Unfortunately, the easiest solution is not always possible, removing the mask removes the problem but with face masks becoming a requirement in more and more locations, we don’t recommend risking anyone’s health for the sake of good skin. Instead, we’ve gathered our top 3 tips in avoiding or fighting maskne breakouts.

Be fabric conscious and clean

So you’ve curated a selection of the most luxurious facemasks you could find but have you considered the fabric you’re using? Rough fabrics can be more damaging to acne-prone skin, so we recommend you opt for breathable fabrics such as cotton.

Cotton is not only softer and kinder to your skin but it is also a more breathable fabric, so it’s less likely to provide a humid bacteria prone environment to clog up your pores.

Once you’ve chosen your desired facemask fabric and aesthetic, you need to keep on top of cleaning it. Reusable facemasks should be washed daily with gentle, kind to skin detergent.

Top Tip: use a fragrance-free detergent to remove the risk of irritation to your skin.

Accumulate your acids and serums

Cleansing your face regularly is always a skincare must but skipping a cleanse should not be an option right now. If you are blemish-prone and finding maskne has wreaked havoc on your skin, stock up on your salicylic and hyaluronic acids asap.

Hyaluronic acid will retain and attract the water in your skin, paired with Poko’s Light Hydrating Moisturiser your skin should stay highly hydrated which is key to preventing irritation.

 

 

 

Using a salicylic acid-based cleanser in your daily skincare routine is one of our top methods for fighting maskne, the key is to let it sit on your face for at least 30 seconds before washing it off, giving it time to work its magic.

Top Tip: Don’t wait until the end of the day to cleanse, if you have oily skin prone to breakouts cleanse before and after wearing your mask as well to prevent bacterial build-up.

How important is foundation?

Our third and final tip for fighting and preventing maskne is probably our least popular, so ask yourself, how important is a foundation to you?

During these times, if you can go without we recommend you do so. Foundation or any face makeup is suspect number one for clogging your pores when trapped against your skin in its new humid facemask environment. Add this to the impossibility of fully cleaning it off your reusable facemask and you're creating a perfect home for unwanted bacteria.

If you do want to wear makeup try switching oil-based foundations and products for oil-free or water-based products for under your mask.

Taking a break from wearing makeup can really benefit your skin. It allows the skin to replenish its natural moisture level without having layers of makeup occluding it. 

 

 

Top Tip: If you have to wear makeup try mixing your foundation with Poko’s Soothing Serum, which has bacteria-fighting ingredients to work on your skin while you’re on the go.

How do you like maskne now?

With COVID-19 still in circulation and awaiting a vaccine, we all have to get used to facemask fashion whether short or long term. Following these steps and staying on top of your skincare routine might not prevent maskne completely but we can say it’s certainly helped us to look and feel our best while adjusting to the new norms.