Wearing face masks will be a must and a vital part of our lives from now on until the eradication of COVID-19, but along with this preventive measure comes a new skincare concern: "Maskne." This term was coined from the words "mask" and "acne."

"Maskne is acne formed in areas due to friction, pressure, stretching, rubbing or occlusion,” Nazanin Saedi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Thomas Jefferson University, told Health Magazine. “You can see it in the areas covered by the mask and also the areas where the mask and face shields touch the skin.”

What’s the best material for a face mask?

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), surgical masks and N95s should be saved for medical workers who are serving as frontliners for the COVID-19 pandemic. They recommend the public to wear cloth masks instead. But, the material your mask is made out of affects how well it protects you, how well you can breathe through it, and how your skin responds to it.

In some studies conducted in the US, they found that cotton provides a good balance of protection and breathability. The best choice for a homemade mask is tightly woven, 100% cotton. It is effective, yet gentle on the skin.

(Read: Here’s Where You Can Buy Reusable and Eco-Friendly Face Masks)

Clearly, it has been a major concern to many, so how do we stop it? What preventive steps and treatment procedures shall we do to stop acne and breakouts from wearing face masks?

We gather some pieces of advice from the experts and here are some tips to stop maskne:

SKINCARE TIPS ON HOW TO PREVENT IT

• Don’t wear heavy makeup

Practically speaking, this is a great time to embrace a no-makeup lifestyle. Don’t wear makeup underneath your mask. With the increased humidity around the skin beneath the mask, makeup could lead to clogged pores and breakouts.

• Change masks often. If you are wearing a cloth mask, wash it daily.

Dirt and oil from your skin plus bacteria from your mouth and nose will end up on your cloth mask so make sure to wash it daily. For disposable mask users, don’t re-use it once you wore it already to avoid skin irritations.

• Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your mask while you're wearing it.

Washing your hands is a general protocol for all of us. You should frequently do it to avoid an accumulation of dirt and oil on your skin that will be trapped under the mask which can cause breakouts. Always put your mask on over a clean face.

• Take off your mask when you’re not around with people.

For the benefit of your face to avoid sweating beneath the area of the mask you should take it off when no one’s around to properly breathe without any barrier in your face.

HOW TO TREAT IT

• Be kind to your Breakouts!

COVID-19 anxiety and mask regulations will inevitably take a toll on your skin. For many, these are factors that trigger acne breakouts. You should treat it just like how you would normally do your skincare routine. Take it easy, pal!

• After the mask comes off, wash your face thoroughly

This is the first important step you should always do when the mask comes off. Make sure you’re cleansing your skin right before you put your mask on and right after you take it off.

• Use a non-comedogenic moisturizer

If you’re getting pimples under your mask, you should change your moisturizer. You may look for something light that is “non-comedogenic” which helps your face to stop pore blockage as experts recommend.  

• Consult a board-certified dermatologist for the expert care

You should seek a board-certified dermatologist if you have sensitive skin or breakouts as there are skin regimens that don’t work well with different skin types.

The right skincare routine can help lessen mask-related skin damage and breakouts. We all should exert effort to achieve healthy skin as we protect ourselves from the virus.