Dr. Kim's Curated Skincare Routine To Treat and Prevent Maskne
For most of us, our lives have changed in innumerable ways over the past nearly eleven months. That includes our skincare routines. Wearing masks constantly has introduced “maskne” into the skincare lexicon. While these mask-induced breakouts might be a regular part of life by now, the good news is that there are steps you can take to keep your skin clear while you stay safe.
These are some factors to pay attention to:
How Your Mask Fits
If a mask is too tight, it can cause irritation through friction. When acne arises from friction, it’s actually due to something called acne mechanica—and the best way to prevent it, is to prevent friction.
How Often You Wash Your Mask
Think of your mask like your underwear—and don’t wear it more than once without washing it!
The Material Of Your Mask
Look for a breathable fabric, or one that feels most comfortable to you and does not suffocate or generate too much heat.
How Long You wear your mask:
If possible, take brief break to allow your skin to breathe—even if it’s just when you go to the bathroom. Every 10 minutes (when you’re six feet or more away from other people), simply pull your mask away from your face to allow for some airflow and circulation!
Working out in a mask:
Safety first—so definitely don’t skip a mask for the sake of your skin. That said, if you can exercise at home or outside mask-free, rather than masked up in a gym, you’ll avoid the trapped sweat and heat that can occur during a masked workout.
The other major factor in preventing maskne, is, of course, your skincare regimen. Here are some picks to make it as efficient and potent as possible:
Cleanse
Cleansing is always essential to a well-rounded skincare routine, but with mask-wearing it’s extra important. For oily skin types, try Environ’s Botanical Infused Sebu-Wash Gel Cleanser, a mattifying, foaming wash to help keep excess oil under control. Dry skin can use a creamier texture like that of Environ’s Youth EssentiA Hydra Intense Cleansing Lotion, which removes dirt and grime, while keeping skin balanced. For those in between, try Environ’s Low Foam Cleansing Gel, a gentle cleanser perfect for daily or twice-daily use.
Treat
To give skin a quick refresh amidst long periods of mask wearing, try swiping Dr. Flora Kim’s Daily Acne Solution Pads, which pairs two chemical exfoliants (glycolic acid and salicylic acid), that work together to slough away dead skin and unclog pores. Another easy option? Keep a soothing mist on hand, like Avene’s Thermal Spring Water, which you can spray on multiple times a day.
At night, you can use a targeted serum to help address concerns surrounding maskne, like iS Clinical’s Active Serum, to help keep skin clear, and a moisturizer that can hydrate without being too heavy like Avene’s TriAcnéal NIGHT Smoothing Lotion. If you want age-defying power, then Biopelle's Tensage Soothing Cream Moisturizer will deliver scientifically-proven snail growth factor!
Treating Maskne Once You Have It
When you already have active maskne, your best bet is to consult a board-certified dermatologist, so you can access more powerful treatment options—like prescription topicals and oral medications, as well as in office procedures like lasers and acne targeted facials. To help treat some of the inflammation that leads to maskne, try incorporating at-home LED treatments like, masking with Omnilux’s Contour FACE mask.
Bottom line is that our skin was not meant to be covered up with a 24/7 mask! The best solution is to not wear a mask! But since that is not possible at this time, we hope these pearls keep you as clear as can be! We are in this together! Maskne and all!
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