What is Maskne?
Maskne (mask + acne) or acne breakouts caused by wearing a face mask is a real thing. Wearing a protective face mask is important for protecting your health. So, what can you do about some of the side effects of wearing a mask — like friction, rubbing, and increased temperature – that can cause some issues for your skin? Luckily, taking care of your complexion and using the right acne products may help to prevent and treat breakouts and help you get your glow back.
What Causes Maskne?
The good news is not everyone wearing a mask will experience maskne. But if you describe your skin as sensitive or oily, you may be more likely to experience acne caused by a mask. So, what causes acne breakouts under a mask?
One of the main causes of these blemishes is the friction or rubbing of a mask against your skin. This contact often causes damage to the skin barrier, especially for those with sensitive skin, which can result in face acne.
Another potential cause is the increased temperature around the nose, mouth and chin area that’s covered by a mask. Research indicates that just a 1° increase in temperature can cause skin to increase oil production by 10%, leading to potential skin issues, particularly for those that are prone to more oily skin. This excessive oil production can clog pores and cause an increase of bacteria on the skin, which can result in, you guessed it… acne!
How do you deal with Maskne?
If you’ve noticed more and more breakouts since you’ve started wearing a mask, don’t worry. There are a few simple and easy ways to address and even help prevent these blemishes.
First, always make sure you wear a clean mask. It may seem simple, but a clean mask can help decrease the amount of acne-causing bacteria on your face.
Another way to prevent maskne is to use effective acne products on your skin. If you have oily, acne-prone skin, salicylic acid is known to treat acne, and products with this ingredient may be a helpful tool to fight maskne. St. Ives Tea Tree Acne Control Cleanser may play a key role as a daily defense against maskne if you notice excess oil build-up under your mask. Made with salicylic acid and 100% natural tea tree extract, this daily cleanser washes away dirt, oil, and impurities from the skin’s surface after wearing a mask. This acne-fighting formula fights current breakouts and helps prevent future ones, and may help if you’re suffering from maskne.
Ever find yourself in search of a deeper clean? Face scrubs made with salicylic acid gently exfoliate the outer layers of dead skin cells while also treating acne. If wearing a mask has your skin feeling more oily and clogged than usual, exfoliating 3-4 times a week will help remove buildup on your skin’s surface, clear pores, and leave skin feeling fresh and glowing. Scrubs like St. Ives Acne Control Apricot Scrub and St. Ives Blackhead Clearing Green Tea Scrub, both made with salicylic acid, are two ways to get that deep clean and help fight acne breakouts after spending a day behind a mask. Plus they leave skin super smooth!
Now that you have all the facts, it’s time to start your new maskne-fighting regime. So, grab a clean mask, stock up on your favorite salicylic acid products from St. Ives, and let’s get glowing!
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