Defeating Maskne One Tip At A Time
- thetasksirensarah
- Jan 2, 2022
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 1, 2023
Tips and Tricks to better skin in a post-COVID era.
In the post-2020 world of COVID-19 and masks, we have all had a little trouble with skin care and skin wellness. A study in Poland of 412 random internet strangers aged 18-29 during the SARS-CoC-2 pandemic in Poland found that 54% of responders were now more interested in proper home skincare, with 43% obtaining information about skincare from social networks and websites. The most commonly reported skin problem in the study was acne, with 52% of responders saying they had suffered or were still suffering from it (I think many of us can relate to that!).
So, here are some optimal skincare suggestions, from mask care and hygiene to the best skin care and cleansing tips!
Mask Care
Good mask care and habits are crucial to skin health. So, remove your mask with clean hands and place it in a clean, plastic resealable bag. (For single-use masks, break the ear straps before disposing of them, as they can harm animals!). Try to clean your mask daily and wash your hands before and after handling your mask. I like to carry a hand sanitiser on my keys so I can keep my hands fresh because, let's be honest, most of us don’t wash our hands enough
Make sure to check for filtration, breathability and fit when choosing a reusable mask, it's good for the skin, but it also makes breathing a whole lot easier. According to the WHO, fabric masks should be made of three layers of fabric:
An inner layer of absorbent material, such as cotton.
A middle layer of non-woven non-absorbent material, such as polypropylene.
An outer layer of non-absorbent material, such as polyester or polyester blend.
To clean your mask, it is recommended by professionals to use soap or detergent, and hot water, at least 60°C at least once a day! If you are unable to wash the mask in hot water, you can wash it in soap and then boil the mask for 1 minute to kill any lingering bacteria (a much quicker option for fellow time-poor people).
The AAD recommend that your mask should be snug, but comfortable fit, to reduce skin problems and irritation, and be a soft, natural, and breathable fabric, such as cotton, on the inside layer that rests against your skin, avoiding synthetic fibres such as nylon, polyester and rayon, as these are likely to irritate skin and cause breakouts. A comfortable fit will also help reduce that persistent earache we all get too. And remember, try not to touch your face after touching a mask as it can transfer germs and bacteria, this is true even without masks being involved. The AAD also recommend taking a 15-minute mask break every 4 hours, and when it is safe to do so!
If friction occurs from mask usage, try using moisturiser around 30 minutes before putting on a mask, the same goes for lip balm, I find Lanolips and Morphe 2 to be great options.
Frequent breaks, improved hydration and rest, skin care, and potentially newly designed comfortable masks are [recommended] for future management of adverse effects related to prolonged mask use. (Rosener, 2020)
Skin Care
If you have a mask on, skip the makeup! Sure, you can still rock a cute eye look, but if the mask is covering it, then don’t create more barriers for your skin. It can lead to clogged pores and breakouts as the skin is unable to breathe and oil will be produced. However, if you do have to wear makeup under your mask, stick to mineral makeup and light coverage products.
Brands such as KITSCH.com and RCD Foundation have started to sell skin-conscious masks, that are both fashionable, and better for the skin.
As someone who worked in the skincare industry, I discovered a lot about skincare products, their results and their price tags. Ultimately, skincare products can be put into three categories;
Drug stores - these are often low-quality products that have a low cost
Designer - brands such as Dior and Lancôme, rely on their names to sell, rather than the products themselves
Dermatology products - products that have had the most amount of testing and often work best for the skin, they range in price but often sit in the middle of the three at around $50-$150 in value.
While these dermatology products tend to be expensive, their results often speak for themselves. They also often last a lot longer than drugstore products as you need far less of them to see positive rewards. Some of the brands I have used and recommend are Silk Skincare, Dermalogica, and AestheticsRX (I am friends with the previous owner/ creator, and can attest to their high quality.)
Products containing salicylic acids and anti-bacterial ingredients such as benzyl peroxide gel, azelaic acid or toners are all known to help reduce oily skin and are recommended alongside moisturisers and reputable sink care brands. However, try not to become too dependent on alcohol-based products, as they can over-dry the skin, causing pores to over-compensate and overproduce oil, so it can often do more harm than good, I learned this one through working in skincare and since I have stopped using alcohol-based products, my skin is sooo much better.
Board-certified dermatologists recommend using a moisturizer with one of the following ingredients:
Ceramides
Hyaluronic acid (fantastic for all skin types)
Dimethicone
Daily cleansing and moisturising is a key part of good skin health. Oily skin types can also benefit from avoiding oily products, and should only use light layers of moisturisers, ideally intended for your skin type. When washing your face, opt for lukewarm water as it will open up the pores, but will prevent inflammation that can be caused by using hot water. But more importantly, DOUBLE CLEANSE! Often people make the mistake of only cleansing once. When you are not wearing makeup and are not doing much, single cleaning is fine, but if your face is covered and you have been sweating and outside, it is always better to double cleanse. Why? The first cleanse of dirty skin helps remove the surface layer of oil, dirt and debris, but often is unable to penetrate deeper into the skin. A second cleanse ensures your skin is left sparkling and that serums and creams will work their best.
Also, Be careful using makeup wipes, as they tend to be aggressive. If you have to, make sure to look for gentle wipes that contain calming ingredients and no alcohol.
According to dermatologists Emily Rudd and Sarah Walsh (2021), ‘a prospective cross-sectional study of 833 medical school staff in Thailand, including healthcare and non-healthcare workers, showed a self-reported prevalence of 54% adverse skin reactions to surgical and cloth masks’, so start following these tips to help improve your skin and help say goodbye to maskne!
Author: Bee A
References
World Health Organization 2020, Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Masks
American Academy of Dermatology Association 2021, 9 WAYS TO PREVENT FACE MASK SKIN PROBLEMS <https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/face/prevent-face-mask-skin-problems>
Gordon, K 2020 ‘ Read this if wearing a protective face mask is making your skin dry and irritated’, Mecca, The Memo
Easton Dermatology n.d. Is Your COVID Face Mask Giving You Acne?
Rudd, E & Walsh, S 2021, ‘Mask related acne (“maskne”) and other facial dermatoses’, The BMJ <https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1304.full>
Rosner, E 2020, ‘Adverse Effects of Prolonged Mask Use among Healthcare Professionals during COVID-19’, ClinMed
Gerstell, E, Marchessou, S, Schmidt, J & Spagnuolo, E 2020, ‘How COVID-19 is changing the world of beauty’ McKinsey & Compay. <https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/McKinsey/Industries/Consumer%20Packaged%20Goods/Our%20Insights/How%20COVID%2019%20is%20changing%20the%20world%20of%20beauty/How-COVID-19-is-changing-the-world-of-beauty-vF.pdf>
Sciesko, E, Budny, E, Rotsztejn, H & Erkiert-Polguj, A 2021, ‘How has the pandemic lockdown changed our daily facial skincare habits?’ Wiley Online Library <https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jocd.14059>
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