How to Prevent Maskne

In many ways, it seems as if we’ve always been wearing masks. With lockdowns dragging on in some areas and the majority of cities and states issuing some type of mask orders, most of us no longer leave the house unless the lower half of our face is covered.

Enter the dreaded maskne…

That’s right, hours of mask wearing on a daily basis might be helping you stay well this fall. But it’s also probably leading to more irritated skin and worse breakouts than ever.

After all, with your skin trapped under cloth for hours on end pimples along the jaw and lip line can feel inevitable.

Luckily though, there are things you can do to banish maskne and keep your skin healthy even when mask wearing is part of your everyday life.

#1 – Treat your mask like underwear

First, it’s important to remember that you should treat your mask the same way you would your underwear. In other words, wear it once and then wash it!

With all of the oils from your skin that get trapped on the inside, and all of the bacteria and germs that get trapped on the outside with one use, once you’ve worn a mask, wearing it again is a disaster for your skin.

This means having 3 – 4 masks handy so that you can wash as you go.

#2 – Focus on your eyes

Another way to avoid maskne is to go lighter on the makeup underneath your mask.

In fact, skincare experts recommend skipping heavy foundation on your lower face and instead playing up your eyes – which is after all what everyone is focused on when you’re wearing a mask.

For fall, consider going with jewel tones to make your eyes truly pop. Stunning shades we love are Bunchie, Chamois & Velvet, featured in our Stand Out Shadow Bundle for the season.

#3 – Double cleanse

After a day, or even just a few hours of mask wearing, the best thing you can do to stop pimples from popping up is to double cleanse your skin.

Start with a rich, gentle cleanser that breaks down the oils that clog your pores, like our Young & Pure Botanical Cleansing Lotion.

Follow with a soothing gel cleanser to sweep away dirt and debris. For this, we love our soothing Chamomile Face Wash which thoroughly cleanses, while preserving your skin’s natural pH balance.

#4 – Mask and exfoliate

Another skincare tip to remember in the on-going battle against maskne is to regularly clear clogged pores, using a two-step process.

First, gently exfoliate your skin using a product containing salicylic acid, such as our 3-in-1 Exfoliate to rid its surface of dead cells.

Next, detoxify your pores with a mineral mud mask to pull out impurities and leave your skin baby smooth.

#5 – Go with airflow

Finally, be sure to choose the material for your mask wisely, with an eye to airflow.

This means opting for a cotton or silk mask whenever possible to allow ventilation to reach your skin and keep it healthy.

Remember, masks might be here to stay. But maskne doesn’t have to be. Use the tips above to keep your skin vibrant and miraculously clear, even when a mask is a must.