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How to Avoid Maskne and ‘Mask Mouth’
Dave J Hogan/Getty Images

Beauty » Skincare » Acne

How to Avoid Maskne and ‘Mask Mouth’

Lauren Hitzhusen
Lauren Hitzhusen
September 24, 2020

Have you been noticing an increase in acne along the lower half of your face lately? If you have been following the CDC’s recommendation to wear a face mask (please, guys, wear your masks), you might be experiencing what dermatologists are now referring to as “maskne.”

“The occlusive nature of a face mask creates warm and humid conditions underneath the mask”, says dermatologist Hadley King, M.D. In fact, the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology recently published a study about frontline health workers in Hubei, China, which revealed that there had been a 97 percent increase in skin damage from wearing masks (including dry, itchy skin, pimples, tenderness and more).

The location of your acne will be an obvious give away if it’s being caused by your mask: “In the case of maskne, the acne will be limited to the area of the face covered by the mask, unlike typical T-zone or hormonal distributions,” says King. So, if you notice new acne popping up in the place where your mask normally sits, it’s probably maskne. What kind of pimples normally make up maskne?  “There may be clogged pores, blackheads, whiteheads, red pimples and pustules,” King says, noting that she “would not expect deep cystic acne lesions.” How quickly maskne develops depends on a lot of factors, including how long the mask was worn and how hot and humid the environment was, says King.

A three piece set of multicolor cotton face masks.
Cotton Face Masks, Neutral, Kitsch, $12.00Kitsch

Maskne shouldn’t be confused with oral candida or thrush (which some have coined as “mask mouth”), though the symptoms look similar. Candida may cause angular cheilitis in the corners of the mouth, which can lead to dry, painful, cracked skin. “Candida thrives in warm, humid environments and although a face mask is not likely to be the sole cause of candida overgrowth, it could be a contributing factor. The result can be a red, irritated rash or raw chapped area, or there can be red bumps and pus bumps as well,” says King. Yeast infections like this can happen because there’s an overproduction of bacteria and in many cases, the treatment involves an anti-fungal cream. “Over-the-counter anti-yeast creams like clotrimazole applied twice daily to the affected area may be able to clear this up”, says King. If it doesn’t resolve, see your dermatologist.

How Can I Prevent Maskne?

First, keep your face clean. King recommends washing your face before and after wearing your mask. “A gentle foaming cleanser is adequate, or if your skin is oily or acne-prone, consider one that includes beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) like salicylic acid, which can penetrate pores and gently exfoliate and remove sebum,” she says. BHAs dissolve the bonds that hold dull, dead skin cells on the surface of the skin so the skin will gently shed, revealing smoother, brighter skin underneath. 

A hand holding a dropper of above three bottles of salicylic acid based skincare.
U.F.O. Ultra Clarifying Acne Treatment Face Oil, $40.00Sunday Riley
Maintaining the moisture barrier of your skin is also crucial to prevent acne and any other skin issues. “Use a light moisturizer that’s non-comedogenic, to support and bolster the skin barrier without clogging pores,” King advises. Stick with light moisturizers, as heavier ones can be occlusive and provide too much moisture for the already-humid environment inside your mask. 
This could also be time to take a break from wearing makeup, especially under your mask. The combination of humidity and sebum from the mask paired with potentially comedogenic makeup ingredients could spell disaster for your skin. Skip the foundation and focus on skincare. If you absolutely cannot fathom going makeup-free, use this time to perfect your cat-eye! Or try any other eye look you have been too shy to attempt yet. 
Another cause of maskne could be wearing your mask too tight. Be watchful of any irritation you start to feel once you put your mask on as any snug areas can rub and aggravate the skin. Your face mask should not be tighter than necessary to achieve a good seal, says King. Choosing a soft, smooth fabric like cotton that does not cause chafing will aid in preventing any further skin problems.

A white container with a white lid and blue and silver text.

If you do happen to have any irritation, “wash the area with water and a gentle cleanser,” King advises. If you are not experiencing any irritation, applying a ceramide-based moisturizer in the evening will help strengthen your skin’s moisture barrier to keep it healthy under the mask. Nipping irritation in the bud and maintaining your moisture barrier are the keys to preventing maskne and any potential damage to your skin during these times. Lastly, always remember to wash your cloth masks with fragrance-free detergent to prevent bacteria and dirt from building up on it. Ideally, you’re washing your cloth masks after every use, but at the very least every day. 

What to Do If You Get Maskne?

Sometimes even the best prevention will not stop you from getting maskne. Some tweaks to your skincare routine can get you back on track. If you’re already using a BHA, try also incorporating an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) to help resurface the skin and remove the dead skin cells. It will help brighten your skin’s overall appearance. “AHAs are water-soluble and work on the surface of the skin, BHAs are oil-soluble so they can penetrate into pores so they are able to work on the surface of the skin as well as inside the pore,” says King. They’re safe to use together— just remember to work to your skin’s tolerance. 

A green swipe of a face mask.
Saturn Sulfur Acne Treatment Mask, $20.00Sunday Riley
If acids are not doing enough for you, you can invite other acne-fighting ingredients to your routine, including benzoyl peroxide and adapalene gel. “These ingredients can be potentially irritating, so proceed with caution and use moisturizers to support the skin barrier,” King says. Other acne-fighting ingredients to add to your routine could be an evening retinoid or spot-treating the acne that does appear. 
Be kind to yourself during these stressful times. The stress of the current climate can also make you break out. Remember: If things do not seem to be improving, consult your dermatologist.

Additional reporting by Christa Lee

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