Maskne: What is it and what you can do to prevent it?
2020 has been perhaps the most unpredictable year of the decade, with a wave of uncertainty enveloping not just America, but the rest of the world. With this year of unpredictability comes an array of new bodily issues, one of them a phenomenon known as “maskne.”
What is Maskne and How Does it Occur?
Maskne is the common term used for a skin condition called acne mechanica. Acne mechanica happens when a person wears protective face gear or equipment for extended periods. This skin irritation is normally experienced by those in the healthcare industry as well as in construction. Basically, any job that requires the use of facial coverings for hours on end.
However, the year has brought this job-specific skin problem out of the niche category and made it into what many consider as Acne 2.0.
Maskne happens because face masks, if worn without changing frequently or washing your face every now and then, trap facial heat and promote friction and clogging of pores. If you find yourself often sweaty or work in a place with high humidity, the sweating and general moist environment around your facemask is just begging for maskne to happen.
What You Can Do To Prevent Maskne
Here are some of the best ways to make sure you don’t see anything growing beneath your face mask.
Wash your face first. Just like putting on makeup, a clean and non-oily face will prevent dirt and oil from being trapped under our pores. This then lowers your risk for maskne.
Use a moisturizer. Moisturizers are meant to do one thing and that is to hydrate your skin. More than just keeping your skin supple and protected from dryness, moisturizers can also help to form a barrier between your face and your face mask. Preventing direct contact can reduce friction which can lead to fewer instances of dirt getting lodged under your pores.
Go out without makeup. It could be tough to do for some people, but makeup and mask don’t exactly go hand in hand. Wearing makeup under a facemask can increase the likelihood of clogged pores and breakouts. Not to mention makeup residue can latch on to your facemask and could clog your pores.
Wash reusable masks. For practicality and the environment, reusable facemasks are widely available. However, some people simply reuse them and forget to put them together with their laundry. This can cause the leftover bacteria for the day to thrive and multiply. By the time you wear your facemask again, you’d be wearing acne-causing bacteria from yesterday too.
Use skin health supplements. Taking a supplement for overall health isn’t new, so perhaps it’s time you also take a supplement specifically designed for your skin. Some skin health supplements help promote suppleness and reduce irritation from various external factors such as detergents, perfume, temperature changes, and now, facemasks.
For the purpose of maintaining skin health, as well as reducing your chances of getting maskne, we offer Exequel.
Exequel’s formula supports healthy skin from the inside out. What makes it unique and helpful against maskne-causing bacteria is actually a patented, sterilized good bacteria in the form of L. acidophilus or simply L-92. *
L-92 can help the body respond to maskne-causing bacteria faster which can then promote healthier skin. A healthy skin is a low risk site for maskne. *
As a skin supplement, L-92 has been cited to help soothe dry, sensitive skin as well as improve skin appearance.*
Treating Your Maskne
Let’s say you do have maskne right now. What are your options? It’s not that different with the usual acne, except with a bit of extra safe handling since facemasks can and will irritate your existing maskne which can cause lesions and further the spread of maskne bacteria.
One of the best things you can do is to simply opt for OTC benzoyl peroxide and apply it only on the spots that appear. You can use retinol too. You may also use glycolic acid which can help treat blemishes and darkening of the skin.
If breakouts are still persistent or you notice redness or swelling, it’s time to consult a dermatologist.
What is Maskne and How Does it Occur?
Maskne is the common term used for a skin condition called acne mechanica. Acne mechanica happens when a person wears protective face gear or equipment for extended periods. This skin irritation is normally experienced by those in the healthcare industry as well as in construction. Basically, any job that requires the use of facial coverings for hours on end.
However, the year has brought this job-specific skin problem out of the niche category and made it into what many consider as Acne 2.0.
Maskne happens because face masks, if worn without changing frequently or washing your face every now and then, trap facial heat and promote friction and clogging of pores. If you find yourself often sweaty or work in a place with high humidity, the sweating and general moist environment around your facemask is just begging for maskne to happen.
What You Can Do To Prevent Maskne
Here are some of the best ways to make sure you don’t see anything growing beneath your face mask.
Wash your face first. Just like putting on makeup, a clean and non-oily face will prevent dirt and oil from being trapped under our pores. This then lowers your risk for maskne.
Use a moisturizer. Moisturizers are meant to do one thing and that is to hydrate your skin. More than just keeping your skin supple and protected from dryness, moisturizers can also help to form a barrier between your face and your face mask. Preventing direct contact can reduce friction which can lead to fewer instances of dirt getting lodged under your pores.
Go out without makeup. It could be tough to do for some people, but makeup and mask don’t exactly go hand in hand. Wearing makeup under a facemask can increase the likelihood of clogged pores and breakouts. Not to mention makeup residue can latch on to your facemask and could clog your pores.
Wash reusable masks. For practicality and the environment, reusable facemasks are widely available. However, some people simply reuse them and forget to put them together with their laundry. This can cause the leftover bacteria for the day to thrive and multiply. By the time you wear your facemask again, you’d be wearing acne-causing bacteria from yesterday too.
Use skin health supplements. Taking a supplement for overall health isn’t new, so perhaps it’s time you also take a supplement specifically designed for your skin. Some skin health supplements help promote suppleness and reduce irritation from various external factors such as detergents, perfume, temperature changes, and now, facemasks.
For the purpose of maintaining skin health, as well as reducing your chances of getting maskne, we offer Exequel.
Exequel’s formula supports healthy skin from the inside out. What makes it unique and helpful against maskne-causing bacteria is actually a patented, sterilized good bacteria in the form of L. acidophilus or simply L-92. *
L-92 can help the body respond to maskne-causing bacteria faster which can then promote healthier skin. A healthy skin is a low risk site for maskne. *
As a skin supplement, L-92 has been cited to help soothe dry, sensitive skin as well as improve skin appearance.*
Treating Your Maskne
Let’s say you do have maskne right now. What are your options? It’s not that different with the usual acne, except with a bit of extra safe handling since facemasks can and will irritate your existing maskne which can cause lesions and further the spread of maskne bacteria.
One of the best things you can do is to simply opt for OTC benzoyl peroxide and apply it only on the spots that appear. You can use retinol too. You may also use glycolic acid which can help treat blemishes and darkening of the skin.
If breakouts are still persistent or you notice redness or swelling, it’s time to consult a dermatologist.
