Skincare Upgrades to Help with ‘Maskne’

As the world still wages war against the coronavirus pandemic, most people are still wearing face coverings. More recently, health experts and scientists have advised people to double up on their face masks to protect against Covid-19 variants from the United Kingdom, South Africa and Brazil. As a result of all this mask-wearing, many are dealing with the issue of “maskne.” This is acne developed from having to wear masks so often and for so long.

Fortunately, there’s hope for you if you’ve got maskne. There are skincare upgrades you can use to help combat the problem.

Use Cortisone Cream

Certain types of cream, namely, cortisone, are good for battling acne breakouts. Maskne occurs when your pores become clogged with dirt and sweat from having to wear your masks so often. In general, the cream is effective on blackheads and whiteheads by reducing the swelling and inflammation of pimples. You can use it by following these steps:

• Wash your face
• Dab a bit of cortisone cream on your face and softly rub it in
• Repeat the above steps one to four times per day if you have a maskne problem that includes inflammation

Use a Gentle Cleanser

When maskne is an issue, it’s absolutely essential to use a gentle cleanser for cleaning your face. Avoid anything that contains harsh ingredients that can irritate your skin. You should choose something that’s recommended by dermatologists, especially if you have sensitive skin. Additionally, part of your skincare routine should involve avoiding heavy physical scrubs, fragrances and essential oils.

Even if you don’t have sensitive skin, a gentle cleanser with no fragrance is the best to use. It can certainly help to keep maskne at bay. However, you should also avoid any products that strip away moisture from the skin.

Use Topical Probiotics

There are also topical probiotics for acne that can cure your maskne problem. If your acne is particularly bad, these products are excellent at balancing out the normal amount of bacteria in your skin. They work in a similar way that oral probiotics improve your gut bacteria.

The microflora in your skin is absolutely essential in regulating the condition of your skin. They can regulate your body’s immune response and reduce inflammation, which is necessary when you’re battling acne.

Use a Mild Exfoliator

You can occasionally use a mild exfoliator to treat your maskne as well. Get something that’s gentler and not too harsh on your face.

Properly Care for Your Masks

Finally, if you want to stop maskne in its tracks, you need to also properly care for the masks you wear. Disposable masks should only be used once and then thrown away. Your fabric masks should be washed after a single use if you wear them for several hours or if you sweat or cough or sneeze while wearing them. Generally, daily washing is best as it eliminates grime and bacteria, which can easily cause maskne.

These tips can help you beat maskne in a hurry. Your skin will thank you.