Pro Tips on How to Treat Your Maskne

Maskne occurs because wearing a mask essentially creates the perfect environment for acne flare-ups on the face. "There are three things that cause breakouts: excess skin, oil, and acne bacteria," Claire O'Bryan, ANC-P of The Skin Clique, previously told POPSUGAR. "All of these things are going to be thriving in that mask environment. The mask is blocking the pores, the heat and wet environment are where the bacteria will grow best, and constant irritation from the mask will cause more oil production."

Long story short: masks can be breeding grounds for bacteria.

One of the best tips for keeping maskne at bay is a simple one: wash your face. "Try to keep your face as clean as possible during the day," said O'Bryan. "Even though your face may not seem dirty, just having that added environment of the mask on your skin will lead to increased irritation and sebum production."

Another way to fight maskne is by looking at the types of masks you are wearing every day. Celebrity aesthetician Natalie Aguilar previously told POPSUGAR that "people with acne-prone skin should use "ultra lightweight, soft, breathable, and sweat-absorbing masks, preferably made of natural materials such as cotton, silk, or rayon."

Dr. Sandra Lee also agrees that the types of masks worn have an impact on maskne, but cautions people against using masks that may not be adequate for preventing COVID. To prevent these issues all together, she recommends "taking little breaks from your mask in the shade" as long as you are away from other people.

But if you are relegated to wearing a mask for consecutive hours, another tip that Dr. Lee previously shared was to spray your mask with salicylic acid. "If you've been sweating, spray the inside of your mask with a salicylic acid spray — we have the SLMD "Salicylic Acid Body Spray ($30) that you can leave in your car or take with you whenever you need it — and it will help clear out the debris and any gunk from inside your pores to stop breakouts from forming."

Frequent face washing can also increase skin irritation, again leading to more maskne flare-ups. So, after washing your face, always make sure to follow up with a lightweight moisturizer. "Hyaluronic-acid containing facial moisturizers can help," Dr. Harold Lancer, MD previously told POPSUGAR. "Sometimes a triple antibacterial ointment like Neosporin can be applied, when necessary, to the affected area."