Easy Tips To Keep Face Mask Related Acne At Bay

Let’s be real; nobody likes having to deal with acne. Especially when they know the exact cause of their acne issues. While most of us have had to adapt to the pandemic and have started wearing face masks while interacting with others, to say that they don’t come with their own set of problems, would be a lie. This particular type of acne is caused due to long hours of sweat and dirt collecting in our masks. It appears due to friction and the mask rubbing against your skin continuously. In a way, it’s similar to chafing and rug burn, and over time, this puts enough pressure against your skin to cause it to break out. Another cause is occlusion. If your mask is super tight and you’re wearing it for long hours, it can trap oil secreted by your pores against your skin, causing breakouts. If the mask irritates your skin, it can cause redness and sensitivity. This is because of the mask’s ability to absorb all the natural oils and moisture your skin needs to stay fresh. So here are a few ways to tackle acne that may be caused by your face mask:

1. Always Wash Your Face Before Wearing A Mask

It’s essential to wear a mask on a clean face because any grime or dirt on your face will get trapped in the mask and cause you to break out or face other skin issues. Use a gentle cleanser on your face first and make sure you don’t over scrub your skin or exfoliate too hard.

2. Use A Good Moisturizer

You might think wearing a moisturizer on already sensitive or acne-prone skin is a bad idea, but that’s far from it. You can use a water-based moisturizer instead of a thick one. You should make sure you choose a moisturizer that is fragrance-free and non-oily. The reason why you should wear a moisturizer is that it acts as a protective barrier from friction caused by your mask and keeps your skin hydrated at the same time. This will stop your skin from over-drying.

3. Ditch The Makeup

Considering our faces are covered for the most part, there is no need to wear makeup as much as we used to before the pandemic. The residue from your makeup after a sweaty day can turn your mask into the perfect breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria and require many more washes than you would usually go for.

4. Only Use A Clean Or Freshly Washed Mask

This is extremely important. It’s never a good idea to keep reusing masks that are only meant for one-time use or are meant to be discarded after a few uses. If you have to wear a non-medical mask daily, it’s good to invest in good quality reusable masks. Many of these reusable masks come with up to five layers of filtration material so they can be very effective at stopping you from spreading any sickness to someone else.

5. Don’t Use Fragrant Laundry Detergent To Wash Your Face Mask

It’s never a good idea to wash your face masks with fragrant laundry detergent. It’s a good idea to wash your masks by hand with a bar of gentle soap and then lay it out in the sun to dry. This will disinfect your mask as well as ensure that it is dried naturally. If you get fragrance between your fabric, it can irritate sensitive skin which is why it’s a good idea to avoid using such detergents.

6. Avoid Reusing Surgical Masks

Since surgical masks are one-time use masks, you shouldn’t reuse them as their material cannot be adequately cleaned. It’s not good to use a surgical mask if your job requires you to commute on a day to day basis as they won’t be handy. The mask sits very loosely around your face in certain areas so it doesn’t do an outstanding job protecting you. However, if you have no other options, it is safer to wear a surgical mask than go out and interact with others without wearing one.

7. Always Keep A Spare Mask On You

This is important as many masks have a fragile elastic band that could snap or cause irritation if used for too long. Your mask can also gather dust and moisture over time as you keep breathing into it. Thus, getting uncomfortable to wear and collecting bacteria. If you know you’re going to be away from your house for an extended period of time, it’s a good idea to keep a spare mask in your purse or car or work desk. This is also good because you could lend it to someone who might be in dire need (only if it is unused. Do not share masks that have already been used by you).

8. Stop Using Harsh Chemicals On Your Face

Using harsh chemicals on your face that are often present in acne creams like benzoyl peroxide or retinol can cause the creams to react with the bacteria and lead to skin issues. If you have to wear your mask a lot, avoid using these creams while wearing them, or only use these creams at night when you know you won’t be using your face mask.

Sure, acne can be quite an irritating skin problem to deal with, but if you take the right kind of precautions, you will be able to curb your condition from worsening. Do let us know if any of our tips helped you out, in the comment section below. Share this article if you found this information useful.

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Niharika NayakBA (Media & Communication)

 

Niharika has a passion for all things art, music, and travel and has over 4 years of experience in writing for social media. During her spare time, she likes experimenting in the kitchen, playing video games, and hanging out with stray animals.

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