Got Maskne? Here's a Simple Hack
How many times has someone talked to you about acne breakouts ever since wearing a mask everywhere we go has become the new norm? The answer is... let's not even try.
The good thing is, after multiple breakouts and even more breakdowns, we have come up with the most simple and easy (and lazy-people friendly) hack that has worked the best out of all the routines and tips we've tried so far.
Ready for it?
The key to getting rid of mask acne is *gasp* washing your face and moisturizing like your life depends on it.
We know this sounds super obvious and maybe a little too simple to be true, but we are not talking about just the daily cleansing and moisturizing routine. We mean coming home after a day out in a mask and instantly demask-ing your face, removing all makeup or product buildup on your face, and instantly giving your face a nice and fresh cleanse. Not after going through the Instagram for 30 mins and watching an episode, or five, of Friends.
Allow us to walk you through it. But first, let's talk about the itty-bitty-not-so-pretty details of mask acne.
MASK ACNE RESEARCH
According to dermatologist Joyce I. Imahiyerobo-Ip, MD, owner of Vibrant Dermatology and Skin Bar MD in Boston, the two main reasons for mask acne are mask-to-skin friction and humidity within the mask. This can especially be a problem for acne-prone, sensitive, or oily skin. According to Dr. Imahiyerobo-lp, one of the easiest hacks to curing mask acne is by washing your face and moisturizing twice a day—once in the morning, and once in the evening. Or, in our words, right when you get home from the outside world!
Dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, associate clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine, suggests that another key to treating maskne is using a gentle face wash. You'll want a non-stripping cleanser to maintain your skin moisture barrier but something that definitely helps wash away that mixture of spit, sweat, and breath that gathers up under your mask (gross, I know).
RECOMMENDED ROUTINE
A gentle cleanser to try out for this new and simplified routine would be our Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser. This mild cleanser would be ideal for acne-prone or sensitive skin types who are looking for a non-stimulating, non-stripping cleansing method but also something nutritious for the tired skin under that mask.
Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser
If you're someone who wears makeup or different layers of skincare products and want a more thorough cleanse. Adding a gentle cleansing water like our Ultra Gentle Cleansing Water to the routine for a double cleanse wouldn't be a bad idea either. However, with a double cleanse routine, you have to make sure that the cleansing method you are using is mild and gentle, as well as non-stripping or stimulating.
Ultra Gentle Cleansing Water
After cleansing, especially a deep double cleanse, it is important to make sure your skin is moisturized and hydrated and happy. Not moisturizing your face after cleansing if almost as bad as not washing your face before sleeping (there, I said it!).
For people with dry and dehydrated skin, Azulene 147HA Intensive Soothing Cream would be the most ideal choice of a moisturizier. This Azulene cream is filled with rich nutrients that specifically cater to moisturizing and soothing the skin, giving the skin a nice plump and unbelievable hydration.
Azulene 147HA Intensive Soothing Cream
For a lighter routine for the day time, Resveratrol 345NA_Intensive Repair Cream would be the perfect add to the routine to keep your face moisturized throughout the day but not heavy and oily under the mask. With its gel-like texture and amazing absorbing ability, the Resveratrol cream feels like you don't even have anything on your skin and it's just magically moisturized on it's own.
Resveratrol 345NA Intensive Repair Cream
This concludes the easiest mask acne hack and the simplest routine to keep your skin hydrated and healthy but also protected from the junk that happens under that mask. A routine with the products recommended above would ensure a gentle start to a simple maskne healing routine, but will also give you the daily care that your skin needs, with or without the mask.