Feel like your face mask is causing acne? You’re probably not imagining it. Not only is it becoming offensively hot and humid this summer, but we’re also wearing masks to help prevent the spread of COVID-19—both of which may contribute to acne and other skin issues.
Breakouts, in particular, have become so common that mask acne has been dubbed “maskne” on the internet. While you can’t ditch the mask, there are steps you can take to prevent and treat mask-related acne to enjoy a safe summer with healthy skin.
What causes mask acne?
Acne usually develops when pores get clogged by oil, dead skin cells, makeup, dirt, or bacteria. This can lead to blackheads, whiteheads, or pimples that can vary in size and type, depending on how infected they get.
Adopting a simple skin-care routine—including cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing, and wearing sunscreen—helps manage acne because it helps with the skin’s natural shedding process. Regular cleansing and exfoliating ensures that all that gunk and dead skin cells are removed rather than clogging your pores. Moisturizing and wearing sunscreen helps ensure the skin’s protective outer layer functions properly.
But wearing a face mask can interfere with that process. Instead of those dead skin cells shedding “throughout the day, they now get clogged in your pores,” Carrie L. Kovarik, M.D., an associate professor of dermatology at University of Pennsylvania and a member of the American Association of Dermatology’s (AAD) COVID-19 task force, tells SELF.
Masks also provide the perfect humid environment for bacteria to grow in our skin, which can lead to a breakout, Noelani Gonzalez, M.D., director of cosmetic dermatology at Mount Sinai, tells SELF.
How can you treat mask acne?
If you’re dealing with an active mask acne breakout there are ways to treat it—and the methods aren’t so different from the way you’d treat regular acne.
For milder cases, classic over-the-counter acne-fighting ingredients like benzoyl peroxide (which kills the bacteria associated with acne) and salicylic acid (a chemical exfoliant that helps unclog pores, should be your go-tos, Dr. Gonzalez says. You can try using a benzoyl peroxide-containing spot treatment, such as Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment ($6, Amazon) or La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Treatment ($30, Amazon). And for salicylic acid products, look for gentle acne cleansers, such as Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser ($11, Ulta) or First Aid Beauty Acne Clearing Charcoal Cleanser ($24, Dermstore).
But for more severe acne, meaning it’s inflamed or you’re dealing with deep, cystic pimples, a dermatologist might prescribe other treatments such as anti-inflammatory cortisone creams or retinoid medications, which speed up the skin’s natural cell turnover process.
However, both prescription and over-the-counter acne remedies can be irritating, especially if you have sensitive skin or you’re also dealing with raw, red, inflamed areas of skin. In these cases, a dermatologist may recommend you use acne treatments less frequently or hold off on treating the acne altogether until the raw areas of your skin heals. So the right treatment for you may depend on the exact type of problem you develop and your skin type.
If you’ve tried over-the-counter options without success, then it’s best to check in with a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Gonzalez says. Many dermatologists are now offering video consultations as well.
What’s the best way to prevent mask acne?
Since we’re going to be wearing masks for a while, managing mask acne isn’t going to be a one-time deal. It will require developing both treatment and ongoing prevention habits to keep your skin clear. And, because mask-related acne doesn’t just affect those who tend to be more acne-prone in general, dermatologists recommend that everyone practice good mask-wearing hygiene.
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