How To Combat Acne Caused By Wearing A Face Mask

If there's one thing the coronavirus era has taught us it's that having to wear a mask or face covering means that, sadly, we're all more likely to be prone to blemishes.

Sure, it's definitely a small price to pay for what could effectively save somebody's life, but dealing with regular spots isn't fun. But if you're armed with the right knowledge and effective products, those breakouts don't have to be half as bad as they could be.

First it's important to know what's causing the spots: put simply it's because you're breathing into a small, enclosed space for a long period of time. In turn that causes humidity to occur, which then speeds up the acne-causing process. Add to that excess oil, bacteria, make-up that's already on your skin and you're potentially blocking pores, especially if you're not properly washing reusable masks between uses.

However, aside from washing your mask or face covering properly, there are some other things you can incorporate as far as your skincare routine goes. The first thing is to make sure you're not over-exfoliating, whether that's with physical scrubs or acid toner. It can disrupt the all-important skin barrier even more, especially at a time when it's already under quite a lot of stress. Next, you need to make sure you're cleansing skin - but don't over do it. There's no need to cleanse before or after wearing, instead just ensure you're doing it thoroughly morning and evening.

Ideally you should try and avoid wearing make-up underneath a mask as that can lead to clogged pores and bacterial build-up, and remember that hydration is key. Using products packed with ceramides and hyaluronic acid will help maintain your skin's barrier, as well as ensuring it stays comfortable while maintaining skin's overall health.

Finally, choose a skin-friendly mask. Choosing something that's made from 100% silk will be so much kinder to your face and is less likely to cause any irritation. Silk also tends to absorb less moisture than cotton does, so it won't dry skin out quite as much, plus it's a cooling material and is naturally hypoallergenic. A win-win situation, really.