Maskne: Acne caused by your face mask

“Trending” since the outbreak of the coronavirus: skin problems that arise or worsen by wearing face masks. This is how you tackle Maskne! 

Mandatory from June 1st in public transport and one of the easiest ways to protect ourselves against the coronavirus: wearing a face mask. We see the nicest colours and prints passing by on Instagram and in pop-up shops, so you can walk the streets safely and fashionably. But wearing a face mask has one, big disadvantage: it causes skin problems around your mouth.

Acne mechanica

Dermatologists call it maskne, the unofficial fusion of mask and acne. Never before have so many skin complaints around the mouth been reported, especially by healthcare workers: redness, irritation, pimples and acne outbreaks. Maskne is a form of acne mechanics, a specific type of acne caused by clothing that puts pressure on the skin. Friction causes irritation and pressure prevents sweat from escaping. The result? Acne, red spots and irritation. 

Tips on how to tackle maskne 

Do you suffer from impurities around your mouth due to the frequent use of a face mask? Then maybe the following 5 tips can help you. 

1. Choose the right fabric. If you want to prevent skin problems and go out on the streets safely, choose a 100% cotton mask. If you make one yourself, make sure you wash the fabric at 60 degrees first.

2. Speaking of washing: make sure you wash your face mask regularly, preferably every time after use. If you don't, you'll get an accumulation of sweat and oil in your face mask which will cause rashes and acne. Wash at 60 degrees with detergent, no fabric softener. Let your face mask dry thoroughly before you wear it again. 

3. Wash your face properly. This is one in the category: 'how hard can it be?'. But, au contraire: there is a whole philosophy behind washing your face. If you wash your face the wrong way, it can be counterproductive for your skin. You're probably not even aware that you're making the same mistakes every day. How to do it and which products to use, we explain here.

4. Adjust your skincare routine. Even if you don't have sensitive skin, the pressure of a mask can be detrimental to your skin. How to switch to a clean skincare routine? We tell you here, step by step.

5. Wear less or no makeup. Only a moisturizer with spf is enough to wear under your face mask and the best option to prevent acne. Does this idea stress you out? Then opt for makeup that is as clean as possible.

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