The Complete Guide To "Maskne"

The Complete Guide To "Maskne"

The Complete Guide to Maskne

The pandemic has taken a toll on all of us in numerous ways, but perhaps one of the more annoying and unexpected effects has been mask acne or, as it’s now more commonly known now, “maskne.” While masks are an effective way to help slow the spread of COVID-19, they’re a new challenge to tackle in your skincare routine. Breakouts around your mask are not an inevitable part of life in the pandemic. There are ways to avoid and treat maskne. Here’s what you need to know about mask acne prevention!

 

What Causes Maskne?

Whether at work or school, most of us have grown accustomed to wearing masks for many hours a day. As you wear a mask, you’re sweating and breathing in a confined environment while the fabric rubs against your face. Face coverings trap bacteria, allowing buildup on your skin. This can clog your pores which eventually leads to pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, or all of the above. 

 

All that sweat and heat can also create dry, itchy patches of skin. While a tight-fitting mask maximizes protection from the virus, it also causes chafing which can lead to irritation. In short, masks can cause new skin problems or exasperate your existing ones. 

 

Healthy Habits to Prevent Mask Acne

Keep It Clean

Having exceptional hygiene is vital to prevent mask acne. That means cleaning your face daily (or even multiple times a day) and cleaning your reusable masks after each use. This eliminates the dirt and oil that may be trapped on your face and prevents leftover oil and bacteria in your mask from ending up on your face. If your masks are disposable, make sure you toss them after each use.

 

You’re hopefully already washing your hands frequently during the COVID-19 pandemic, but this is also key to avoid too much bacteria from ending up on your face. You should avoid touching your face as much as possible, but if you’re going to do it, at least make sure your hands are clean first!

 

Whether you’re washing your clothing or your masks, use gentle, fragrance-free products. Anything that’s too harsh could end up irritating your skin and cause a breakout.

 

Limit Makeup Wearing 

While the idea of going bare-faced can be intimidating for some women, it’s one of the most effective ways to eliminate maskne. This is because makeup clogs your pores. If you’re dead-set on wearing makeup, at least try to go foundation-free. This way, you won’t be wearing makeup on the area beneath your mask which helps with acne prevention.

 

Eat and Drink Wisely 

It’s also important to consider how other factors may have an impact on your skin. For example, many of us have developed unhealthy habits in the pandemic like binge-eating junk food and drinking lots of alcohol. Try to avoid processed foods that are high in sugar as these can cause your skin problems to flare up.

 

Excessive drinking also impacts the appearance of your skin. Alcohol dehydrates you and can cause inflammation. If you want to maintain youthful, flawless skin, limit your drinking and turn to H2O instead.

 

Reduce Stress

The last year has been incredibly stressful for most people. In addition to the typical stresses of day-to-day life, everyone is feeling the added weight of a global crisis and the way it has changed life for everyone. Unfortunately, stress is yet another cause of acne. Work on finding healthy ways to cope with stress like journaling, meditating, listening to music, getting fresh air, and participating in teletherapy to reduce stress and prevent acne flareups.

 

The Perfect Skincare Routine for Preventing and Treating Maskne

Even if you implement all of these steps, you probably won’t be able to prevent maskne 100% of the time. Perfecting your skincare regime will go a long way to help with your maskne struggles. To prevent and treat maskne, look for products that help with acne prevention.

 

Basil and Lime Face Wash

Washing your face first thing in the morning and before you go to bed are crucial to prevent breakouts. During the pandemic, you should also be washing your face after wearing a mask or doing any other activity that involves a lot of sweating. When washing your face, use lukewarm water and choose to pat your skin dry rather than rubbing at it to minimize irritation.

 

 The face wash you use is worth investing in! Don’t just purchase whatever’s cheapest at the store, and you definitely shouldn’t be using hand soap. Nessfeli’s basil and lime face wash helps prevent acne while also treating existing breakouts thanks to the powerful combination of anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredients. It’s made using natural, organic ingredients that, as a bonus, smell fantastic!

 

Adzuki Bean and Oatmeal Exfoliate

Exfoliating is an essential part of any healthy skincare regime. Not only does it get rid of dead skin cells, but it also helps clean out your pores. Nessfeli’s Adzuki bean and oatmeal exfoliate is great even on sensitive skin. Use it once a week to keep your face acne-free and get rid of dry skin patches.

 

Noncomedogenic Moisturizer 

The kind of moisturizer you use is also important. Moisturizer is a daily essential to keep your skin nice and hydrated. However, it can also clog your pores if you’re buying the wrong product. Look for a “noncomedogenic” to avoid this problem. Don't worry! We've got you on this as well! Be on the look out for our Moisturizers that will be releasing soon.

Apple Aloe Vera Mask

Try fighting maskne with a different kind of mask. Nessfeli’s apple aloe vera mask reduces inflammation to help you fight breakouts. It’s also effective at smoothing skin and preserving elasticity to reduce signs of aging. It helps you preserve the appearance of youthfulness no matter how old you are!

 

Stop Maskne with Nessfeli Natural Skincare 

No one knows how much longer the COVID-19 crisis will continue and even then, mask-wearing will likely stick around for a while. If you really want to keep your skin looking fresh and clean, implement these practices. Also be on the lookout for our new Acne-Prevention Bundle, Coming Soon!

 

High-quality skincare products made from the finest organic ingredients are essential whether we’re in a pandemic or not. If you want to transform your skincare routine for the better, shop Nessfeli Natural Skincare

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