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This post is by Anthony Savage of Sparta Health

As we learn how to get back to a semi-normal way of living during a pandemic, there are certain measures we are required to undertake in our daily lives. One of these measures is wearing a mask when it’s impossible to keep a two metre distance from others. Since we are required to wear these masks for a long period of time, maskne is becoming a regular hindrance.

What is maskne?

Maskne is mask-induced acne (1). It occurs from regular and long use of masks due to how moist the lower face gets when you breathe into the fabric. This can cause redness, irritation and breakouts on the skin. Breakouts usually appear around the nose, where the mask sits on your face, and across your chin. These areas are common for acne due to the build-up of oil and sebum as pores tend to be larger around the nose (2). As the weather is getting colder and the seasons are changing, our skin is going through a lot and usually struggles adjusting to change in temperature. Now that maskne is a common ailment, we also have to combat this on top of our usual winter skin issues. Thankfully, it isn’t that much of a problem to prevent and treat; here are some examples of ways to keep your skin maskne free.

Change your masks often

Reusing your masks is a giant way to help the environment, but we can’t disregard our cleanliness and safety in the process. It’s always ideal to have multiple masks so you can alternate and keep spares on hand just in case, but also so you can change to a new mask during the day. Think of your mask like your underwear: if your underwear gets damp you change to avoid discomfort and stop bacteria from lingering, avoiding infections. It’s the same way with your mask. If the inside of your mask is damp from breathing and talking, just swap for a clean one. This isn’t needed however, if you’re only wearing your mask to go shopping or run a few errands. You can usually tell yourself if it’s time to change to a fresh mask so keeping spares with you when you’re out is always ideal.

On top of this, washing your masks at the end of each day is imperative to stopping both maskne and the spread of Covid-19. All the rules regarding washing your hands and changing your masks regularly will both help keep your skin clear and keep you safe from the virus. Being aware of these tasks will help you adjust into this new normal a lot easier.

Have a skincare routine

Using skincare is vital to keeping your skin young and healthy, as well as helping you fend off pimples, blackheads, acne and other ailments. Products without fragrance and that are gentle on your skin are ideal to fighting off maskne. You also want to be focussing on products that are hydrating to the skin to make sure your moisture barrier is intact. Harsh treatments and serums will only further damage your skin and will only worsen the issue.

The main skincare products you want to be using are a gentle cleaner and a heavy moisturiser. The cleanser will gently ease all the grime out of your skin and a thicker moisturiser will help repair your moisture barrier and bring life back to your skin. Your skin goes through a lot in the colder months so using simple and effective skincare products is the best way to approach breakouts.

You should also be using a skincare routine even when you don’t have maskne or other skin related issues. This way you’re preventing your skin from reacting as badly to these environmental changes and if you do break out, it won’t be as damaging as it could be. Our skin is also the largest organ in our body and looking after it is important to our overall health. It may seem like a lot to incorporate into your daily routine but skincare can be as easy or complicated as you want it to be. It’s necessary for your skin and is easy to implement [3]. There are countless sources available online if you’re interested in learning more about skincare and its effects on our skin.

Don’t touch your face

Try to keep your hands off your face as much as you can. Touching your face often is an easy way for bacteria to spread, especially if your hands aren’t completely clean. People touch their faces more than 20 times per hour on average and 44% of the time that involves contact with the eyes, nose and mouth (4). If you’re taking your mask on and off while touching your face in between, it defeats the purpose of all the other steps you’d take to repel maskne. Keeping your hands off your face will also help your overall skin health as your hands spread the most germs and bacteria.

Keeping all these things in mind will keep you safe and breakout free as we move further into the winter months. Though we cannot change the cold weather or get rid of Covid-19 in a day, we can take a little more time to look after ourselves. Being more aware of our ability to store bacteria and keep on top of changing our masks, as well as washing them regularly. Keeping our hands clean, preferably with soapy water but using antibacterial gel when this isn’t possible, to keep bacteria away from our skin as well as other health issues. Remember that while doing any of these steps to be gentle with your skin in regards to both what products you use and how you touch it. Looking after our bodies in this time is top priority and that includes the health of our skin.

About Anthony Savage 

Anthony Savage is the Medical Services Manager at Sparta Health, having joined the team in 2017 and is responsible for the overall operational delivery of our high quality services to our clients. He has a solid background in workplace physiology, health and safety, as well over 12 years of delivering, and holding senior management positions, for leading injury and condition management providers.

He is known for his innovative approach in his design and execution of services and his ability to build enduring relationships.

References:

  1. Holland and Barrett. What is maskne? 2020 September 7 [cited 2020 September 30]; Available from: https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/the-health-hub/conditions/skin-health/acne/what-is-maskne/
  2. Cherney, K. What causes nose acne and how can I treat it? 2019 March 7 [cited 2020 September 30]; Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/nose-acne
  3. Health Beat. Do you really need a skincare routine? [cited 2020 September 30]; Available from: https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/do-you-really-need-a-skin-care-routine
  4. Zia, Z. How touching your face can spread viruses — and why you’re so bad at avoiding it. 2020 March 9 [cited 2020 September 30]; Available from: https://www.statnews.com/2020/03/09/how-touching-your-face-can-spread-viruses-and-why-youre-so-bad-at-avoiding-it/

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