Suffering from mask-ne? Here are 5 things you can do to help stop the spread of coronavirus without sacrificing your skin.
First it was iso skin and now it’s mask-ne. If you’re not entirely sure what ‘mask-ne’ is, it’s exactly what it sounds like: acne breakouts caused by wearing a mask. To ensure we stop the spread of COVID-19, we know that wearing a fabric face mask is absolutely necessary. On any normal day, oil, sweat and dead skin cells build up on our skin. When we wear a mask, it essentially traps these impurities in our pores. Add heat and humidity to the mix and you’ve got yourself a perfect breeding ground for dirt and bacteria to flourish. Here are 5 things you can do daily to ensure that you keep mask-ne breakouts at bay.
Double cleanse your face daily
The first step should always be to clean your face daily and because you’re wearing a mask, it’s time to step it up a notch. Ensure you wash your face using a gentle cleanser each morning and night, with a double cleanse each night for at least 60 seconds each. This will help reduce clogged pores that lead to blackheads, whiteheads or even painful cystic spots. Essentially we need to make sure that any bacteria that has been trapped on your skin is removed before it gets the opportunity to thrive.
Choose a light fabric
A breathable cloth mask will help protect you from contracting covid-19 while giving your skin a little breathing space so it doesn't feel so trapped. Avoid synthetic materials such as polyester, nylon and rayon as they tend to trap sweat underneath the mask.
Skip makeup
This one is a no-brainer. The less heavy makeup on your face, the less likely you are to get mask-ne. Our skin struggles to breath under makeup alone so adding a mask on top of foundation, concealer and powder is guaranteed to end badly. Opt for a lightweight product like the Bali Body Face Tan Water to add a glowing complexion without the makeup. If you prefer to not be completely bare faced then opt for a lightweight beauty cream like the Bali Body BB Cream SPF15. Team it with some mascara, eyeliner and tinted eyebrow gel for the perfect no makeup, makeup look that won’t send you skin into flare up mode.
Wash your face mask daily
It’s no surprise that bacteria also builds up on our mask, so just like our face, we need to ensure it gets cleaned every day. Ensure you have a few cloth face masks, so that you can alternate between them and wash them after each use. A quick cycle in the washing machine or a 30 minute soak in detergent will do the trick.
Stay consistent
Lastly, remember to stay consistent. All of these tips need to be done on a daily basis for your best chance of keeping your skin in check.
Ready to kick mask-ne to the curb? You got this, babe.
