Maskne: what it is and how to fight mask acne
The Covid-19 pandemic has upset many of our habits, introducing some that we would never have considered. An example? The use of the mask. Until recently, in fact, the masks were a tool seen only on doctors and nurses, foreign to most of us. For now, however, it is one of the accessories of our daily life to defeat the infection from Coronavirus. However, despite its indisputable usefulness, there are those who have noticed some "side effects" on an aesthetic level due to the mask itself. All this has a name: maskne.
What is the mask?
The term maskne comes from the combination of mask - which in English means mask - and acne. It indicates that series of skin problems related to the prolonged use of the mask given the emergency from Covid-19. These skin disorders can vary from person to person, especially depending on their skin type. In general, however, it has been noted that after wearing the mask for several hours, annoying pimples often appear, even of a less severe nature than actual acne, even on individuals who normally do not have particularly oily skin. Drawbacks such as redness, dry lips, irritation and even cases of dry skin have been reported.
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The causes
Usually, the mask is found when using certain types of mask considered heavier and less breathable but which, however, are more effective as a protective device. We are talking in particular about the FP2 and FP3 masks that are able to better protect the wearer from external agents, such as dust, bacteria and, of course, viruses.
However, those with very sensitive skin and / or that already tends to be oily with an excess of sebum may find themselves facing the mask even with lighter masks, such as surgical or breathable fabric masks. This is because a rubbing occurs in the areas of the face where the mask is placed, the signs of which are also emphasized by the low recycle of air.
In fact, for most people, the mask is caused by the lack of transpiration of the skin due to the protective device and the consequent obstruction of the pores. All this prevents sweat from escaping, creates humidity in the areas covered by the mask and increases the local temperature, leading to the rash of pimples and boils, but also seborrheic dermatitis, contact allergies and rosacea.
Remedies to counteract mask acne
When the mask appears, the main solution is to resort to the products and skin care that is typically used for other forms of acne. It is a good idea to start by washing your face every morning and every evening with a mild cleanser that helps to clear the blockage of the pores.
We recommend Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Foam Cleanser, a non-aggressive product that helps fight and prevent skin rashes. It eliminates impurities and excess sebum from the skin. Frees clogged pores, soothes and reduces the appearance of redness. The result? The skin of the face becomes soft and delicate again. It is available on the Sephora online store.
In addition, products based on salicylic acid, niacinamide and retinol can be used, perfect for purifying and regenerating the skin. In this sense, the best choice is to rely on this The Ordinary kit for the complete treatment of skin with imperfections. Contains a cleanser to wash the face in the morning and in the evening, the ideal serum to eliminate blackheads, pimples and impurities, a day and night moisturizer and, finally, a salicidic acid mask. You can buy it here.
In general, there are many products for the treatment of acne and, consequently, also of the mask. Normally they are based on Benzoyl peroxide, macrolides, tetracyclines and, as already mentioned, salicylic acid, retinol and zinc. There are also natural masks. with clay or charcoal which can prove equally effective in eliminating dead cells and clogged pores.
The important thing is to always check the concentration of the active ingredients inside the different types of cream, serum or cleanser, in order not to risk the opposite of the desired effect or excessive flaking of the skin.
It is always best to ask the opinion of a dermatologist or an expert on which products are best to include in your skin care, especially if you already suffer from skin disorders.
Daily skin care to prevent mask
It is possible to prevent the appearance of the mask through careful daily skin care. In fact, you can avoid impurities and redness with good habits, starting with cleansing in the morning. Before putting on the mask, it is essential to eliminate impurities with delicate mixed water, suitable even for the most sensitive skin. Additionally, we recommend the use of a serum and / or light moisturizer that does not clog pores. If you prefer, you can choose a spray thermal water that is suitable to be sprayed several times throughout the day on the covered areas thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.
If you can do without it, it's better to say goodbye to the makeup for at least a little while. This is because especially the foundation goes to further cover the skin of the face and allows it to breathe even less when wearing the mask.
At the end of the day, after having finally removed the protective device, carefully wash your face again with the mixed water and use products with soothing and calming principles such as calendula, mallow and chamomile. Finally, experts recommend doing a scrub or facial mask once or twice a week that gently exfoliates the skin, freeing it from any waste or toxin.
Also pay attention to nutrition: it has been noted that dairy products and sweets affect the appearance of skin imperfections. It seems that milk and its derivatives increase sebum production and inflame the sebaceous gland.Therefore, it is better to reduce the consumption of these foods to increase the effectiveness of skin care treatments.
