Why Do Masks Cause Acne and Skin Irritation?
Our skin benefits from fresh air and oxygen to stay dry and balanced. Masks block fresh air and oxygen from reaching your face, creating a warm, moist environment, which in some cases could be a recipe for disaster. Moisture builds up under the mask, creating a perfect environment for bacteria to grow and spread, and acne to start or worsen. Further spread and more breakouts may continue with prolonged mask use. Masks also trap heat, which may cause inflammation, redness, increased sebum production, and reactivity.
If you have sensitive or reactive skin, the material of the mask may cause a reaction, resulting in a rash or infection. For those with dry skin, wearing a mask may enhance the feeling of thick, dry heavy skin, which may be due to a buildup of dead skin cells. Now that we are finally enjoying warmer weather and spending more time outdoors, your skin may naturally feel dryer. Regular exfoliation will help in both of these instances! As we navigate through our COVID journey, it is normal to experience stress from changes in our daily routines including dietary changes and sleep patterns. These may affect our skin too!
Skincare Tips to Keep Your Skin Healthy and Happy Under Your Mask
- Cleanse, exfoliate, tone, and apply a light moisturizer before you put your mask on. Excess oil, dead skin, or debris on the skin will increase the chance of your mask irritating your skin or causing problems.
- Avoid wearing makeup under your mask. Makeup will contribute to congestion and irritation, and no one will see it anyways – It will end up covering the inside of your mask!
- Adjust your daytime skincare regime to include products with lighter, less active, and more calming ingredients. Use more active ingredients for enhancing exfoliation, hydration or treating pimples with your evening skincare regime.
- Wash your hands before touching your mask to avoid introducing more opportunities for bacteria to spread. Avoid frequent touching or picking at the skin around your mask, such as rubbing the mask over an itch.
- Once you’re done with your mask for the day, cleanse your skin right away, and apply your active ingredients for soothing, hydrating or targeting breakouts. Use either a reusable mask that’s cleaned daily or a new disposable one each day.
Skincare Suggestions for Breakouts or “Mask-ne”
- Use a cleanser as soon as you remove your mask that contains salicylic acid such as Vivier Medicated Wash or ZO SKINHEALTH Exfoliating Cleanser to clean away sweat, excess oils, gently exfoliate and refresh your skin.
- ZO SKINHEALTH Complexion Renewal Pads help normalize the pH and remove excess oil.
- Use a lighter moisturizer that has more hydration and less lipids such as GLO SKIN BEAUTY Oil Free Moisturizer or VIVIER SPF 30 LOTION
- Don’t pick! It’s tempting but picking can lead to scarring. Spot treat your breakouts with acne products like VIVIER Acne Treatment Lotion or the ZO SKINHEALTH Sulphur Masque
Skincare Suggestions For Dry or Sensitized Skin
- Cleanse with a gentle cleanser as soon as you remove your mask, such as VIVIER Hexam Cleanser or SKINMEDICA Sensitive Skin Cleanser
- Exfoliate with ZO SKINHEALTH Exfoliating Polish or VIVIER Vitamin C Scrub
- Soothe skin and normalize pH with ZO SKIN HEALTH Calming Toner
- Add a calming soothing hydrator such as SKINMEDICA HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator or ZO SKINHEALTH Hydrating Cream
- Add a Retinol 1 – 2 nights a week to help exfoliate, strengthen and boost collagen such as SKINMEDICA Retinol Complex or
ZO SKINHEALTH Wrinkle and Texture Repair - Another option is to mask 2 – 3 nights a week such as the VIVIER Ultra Hydrating Mask for full hydration or the ZO SKINHEALTH Enzyme Peel for gentle exfoliation
Book an Acne Management Appointment With Dr. Connick
Don’t let mask-ne bring unwanted strife to your life. We’re here to help! Book a complimentary skincare consultation with the Skincare Specialists at Vive® to develop your personalized skin care plan.