Hey Joi fam! In this blog post, we’ll be talking about an issue being faced by many people around the world currently and that’s MASKNE - From what causes maskne in the first place to how to prevent and even treat it!

What is Maskne?

Maskne is actually just a shorter term used for mask acne...Experiencing maskne isn’t just solely based on having acne, but could also mean developing rashes and irritations on your skin from wearing masks. This is caused by the excessive wear of a face mask or covering. However, some people might develop maskne due to certain allergies and sensitivity towards the components of the face masks. Wearing a face mask constantly or being sensitive to certain components of it would result in your pores being clogged - From either the collection of dirt and impurities under the mask, the trapped sweat and bacteria from your nose and mouth, or even continuous friction applied to the skin.

How do I know whether it’s maskne or just regular acne and irritation?

You can tell when maskne is going to develop when your skin starts to feel more oily underneath the face mask. From then, your skin on your face beneath the mask would start to feel more congested and stuffy, which would then lead to having acne just around the area of where you wore your mask. 

If you already have an existing case of acne or skin problem, you would just be more prone to developing maskne under the face mask. 

How to prevent/treat maskne?

Here are some steps you can take to prevent maskne:

1. Find the right type of mask for your skin! We all have different skin types, and our skin can react well with certain types of masks but get bad reactions from others. So try out the different types like cloth masks, surgical masks, KF94, plus many more and see what’s right for you. Remember to check the brands and materials used to make the masks you’re buying as well, your skin would be thanking you for it!
2. Change your mask after every few hours wearing them. With the COVID-19 pandemic still going on, we would need to constantly wear face masks...sometimes even throughout the whole day. To ensure that the oil and dirt does not build up on your mask and then onto your face, make sure you aren’t wearing the same mask from day till night.
3. Properly cleanse your face every time after wearing masks. Wearing masks all the time causes dirt and other impurities to build up, hence clogging your pores. To prevent this from happening, you are highly encouraged to double cleanse every time after you put a face mask on. This is to ensure that all the grime, dirt and oil on your face gets washed off and that your skin gets a chance to breathe.
   

If you are experiencing maskne now, here’s how to treat it:

1. Apply skincare products that combat acne! There is really no better way than to use products specifically made to target the specific skin issue. When having maskne, one should use products to reduce the appearance of acne and hopefully banish them for good. A great product we would recommend is the Blue Tansy Clarifying Face Oil. Blue Tansy Oil’s ability to clear congested pores, kill off pimple-causing bacteria, and reduce redness, make it one of the best oils for acne-prone skin.
2. Use exfoliating products! Constantly wearing a mask would lead to the build up of impurities on the skin’s surface and in the end lead to clogged up pores. Start implementing an exfoliating product into your skincare routine, to regularly get rid of impurities on the skin and prevent them from clogging your pores. Joi’s Enzyme Instant Glow Serum does a great job at exfoliating the skin and calm redness at the same time. It is ultra gentle and suitable for sensitive skin as well.