WHAT IS “MASKNE” & HOW TO PREVENT IT
Face masks have been part of our daily lives primary “accessories” since early 2020. As we all know, masks provide a layer of protection from the spread of Covid-19. We all need our masks to be tight-fitting for best efficacy, but the trade-off is that the masks can cause abrasions, cuts, redness, irritation, and of course… acne.
In most cases, maskne is the result of clogged pores. Our skin is filled with oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells. But when you wear a mask, these substances can build up and block your pores, from all those breathing and sweating inside of the mask. This caused humidity to trap and result with high risk of acne.
It is essential to wear our face mask, even when you are facing a maskne skin possibility, because keeping your nose covered is the best way to protect yourself. Fear not, here are some ways for you to treat your skin even when wearing a mask :
Wash Your Face Regularly with Gentle Cleanser
Dirt and oil on your skin will get trapped under the mask and can cause breakouts. To clean it up, choose a gentle cleanser to deep clean your face and rinse with lukewarm water. Avoid scrubbing and rubbing the skin to prevent any irritation and inflammation.
We recommend using COSRX Good Morning Gentle Cleanser for dry skin, and COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser for oily skin.
Make Friends with Niacinamide & Centella Asiatica
Maskne is caused by the humidity underneath your mask because you’re breathing into a closed off space. Niacinamide is a Vitamin B that supports the skin barrier by helping ceramide production - proteins that retain water inside the skin. On the other hand, Centella Asiatica is an antioxidant ingredient that is packed with Vitamins A, B1, B2, and C which help soothe irritated skin.
We recommended you to use SASC x RAISA Teristimewa Glow Mist to treat your skin with 4% of Niacinamide and Centella Asiatica and watch the glow on your face!
Do Not Reuse Surgical Masks
Surgical masks are not meant to be used twice reused because there’s no good way to clean them. Used surgical mask contains tons of bacteria that will create acne once you use it. We recommend you to throw the used surgical mask (don’t forget to cut the string first), or use a washable face mask.
Remove Your Mask Every 4 Hours
The American Academy Dermatology Association recommends removing your mask for 15 minutes every 4 hours. This will help to give your skin a break. You should remove your face mask only when you can practice physical distancing with people who aren’t in your household. It’s also important to wash your hands before taking a mask break.