“Maskne” or acne mechanica, is pimples located in areas where your face mask touches your face. Maskne occurs when sweat, oil and bacteria are trapped on your skin while wearing a tight face mask with very little air flow, creating the perfect breeding ground for skin bacteria to flourish and cultivate.

My two older teenage daughters tend to get a massive flare-up of Maskne on hot days when they return from school.  Donning a face mask from 6:30 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. for 9 long hours in hot and humid Malaysian weather spells disaster to the skin on their faces.  On days when my eldest stays home and attends online classes, the skin on her face will be under control. It takes just one day of all-day mask wearing to undo all the healing on her skin. With COVID-19 not slowing down anytime soon, it’s likely that face masks will remain a part of our daily routines for the foreseeable future.

Maskne is different from blemishes caused by hormones or hereditary issues like cystic acne.  Maskne is especially prevalent on the bridge of your nose, your cheeks and your chin, caused by an external factor – a mask obstructing the skin and causing excess pressure, heat and rubbing, which leads to irritation, inflammation and pimples.

How to prevent maskne

Strict hygiene must be practised when wearing masks and it is recommended to change the mask every 4 hours.  If you notice any dampness within the mask, it should be changed immediately and not wait 4 hours later.  Thus, it is advisable to carry an extra mask in your bag or pocket at all times during this pandemic.   Reusable masks must be washed everyday with soap and water and air dried thoroughly.

When you remove your mask to drink and eat, it is important to be wary of where you are putting it down to prevent catching virus / bacteria on the mask.  You can place your mask in a mask bag / mask keeper or your pocket or anywhere that is clean, away from contact with dirty surfaces.

To help prevent skin problems from developing under your mask, we have below the following handy tips:

1.  Cleanse and moisturize your face daily. Gentle skin care can prevent skin problems. When washing your face, use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser .

You can prevent breakouts from your moisturizer by using a moisturizer formulated for your skin type. When selecting moisturizer, follow this guide:

Oily skin (or when weather is hot, humid): Gel moisturizer
Normal or combination skin: Lotion
Dry to very dry skin: Cream

If you have acne or tend to break out, you can still use a gel moisturizer.

2. Skip the makeup when wearing a mask. Beneath a mask, makeup is more likely to clog your pores and lead to breakouts. If makeup is necessary, use only products labeled “non-comedogenic” or “oil free.”

3. Avoid trying new skin care products that can irritate your skin. Wearing a mask for even a short time can make your skin more sensitive. To reduce skin problems, avoid trying harsh products, such as a chemical peel, exfoliant, or retinoid, for the first time.

4. Use less of certain skin care products if your face becomes irritated. When you cover your face with a mask, some skin care products that you’ve used in the past may irritate your skin. If this happens, cut back on products that can irritate your skin, such as leave-on salicylic acid, retinoid you apply to your face and aftershave.

5. Wear the right mask. To reduce skin problems, look for masks that offer the following:

A snug, but comfortable fit.
Soft, natural, and breathable fabric, such as cotton.
Fabric on the inside that feels soft if you have sensitive skin.
Cotton material inside if you have acne or oily skin.

Wearing a mask that offers a snug, but comfortable fit helps to protect you and others from the coronavirus. You want a snug fit across your nose, on the sides, and under your chin.

A snug, comfortable fit also reduces skin problems. If the mask feels too tight or slides around on your face, it can irritate your skin. You’re also more likely to adjust a poorly fitting mask. When you touch your mask, you can transfer germs to your mask and your face.

The fabric is also important. Avoid synthetic fabrics, such as nylon, polyester, and rayon. These are more likely to irritate your skin and cause breakouts.

6.  Take a 15-minute mask break every 4 hours. But only remove your mask when it’s safe to do so and after washing your hands with soap or sanitized them with hand sanitizer.

Safe places to remove your mask include:

Outdoors, when you can stay at least six feet away from people.
Inside your car when you’re alone.
At home.

Since we’re going to be wearing masks for a while until a vaccine for Covid-19 is found, managing maskne isn’t going to be a one-time deal. It will require developing both treatment and ongoing prevention habits to keep your skin clear.   Proper mask-wearing hygiene and practice applies to everyone and not just those who are more acne-prone as mask-related acne affects almost everyone.