Doctors and scientists say one of the best things we can do to protect ourselves from Covid-19 is to wear a mask, but it isn’t all good news, as wearers are finding. One unexpected annoyance for some of us–myself included–is the emergence of “maskne,” the informal term for acne and other skin irritations caused by wearing a mask.
Health-care workers have been particularly affected by maskne, because they are wearing tighter-fitting masks for longer periods of time. Summer heat and humidity also aggravate the problem.
The condition has become prevalent enough that some leading skin-care companies have created collections of “essentials” designed to fight it, and the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has posted advice on it as well. To bring some relief to the afflicted, we’ve collected a few key pieces of advice offered by The New York Times to help restore your skin to blemish-free happiness.
Dermatologists recommend 100-percent cotton masks because they allow skin to “breathe.” But it’s important to wash them frequently to remove accumulated oil, sweat and dirt.
Another key suggestion is to limit the amount of skin-care products applied to the face. Instead, keep it simple with a gentle non-soap cleanser and a mild, fragrance-free moisturizer. In addition to hydrating the skin, it offers protection from mask friction.
The AAD’s Ad Hoc Covid-19 Task Force also suggests applying retinol if you’re new to it, but the group gives the opposite advice to longtime users–just use less. Also counterintuitive is the direction to remove makeup before going out, if you use it for video calls.
And don’t forget that traditional acne treatments can further irritate the skin because masks tend to rub the substances into the skin. Use an over the counter benzoyl peroxide treatment with lower concentration of a 2.5 or 5 percent, rather than 10 percent, on the spots that are affected. Use retinol and spot treatments on alternate nights.
People with black or brown skin who develop hyperpigmentation from acne can treat that with topical glycolic acid–but only for short periods of time. See a dermatologist if the problem persists. People of color with hyperpigmentation should also wear mineral sunscreen indoors to screen out blue light from devices, which can aggravate the problem.
If your skin is not only blemished but extremely itchy, you might actually have contact dermatitis rather than acne. Be aware of whether metal or rubber parts of masks, or the type of fabric you use, might be causing the irritation.
The AAD also suggests putting petroleum jelly on your lips daily, since masks can increase dryness and chafing. And if it’s at all possible to do so safely, take a mask break for 15 minutes every four hours to give your skin some fresh air.
Lastly, be aware the stress and diet are also frequent aggravators that can cause acne. We’re all dealing with extra stress these days, so try to exercise some mindfulness habits like meditation to keep calm, and aim to limit eating chocolate and other sugary foods and dairy products.
