We’re so grateful that something as simple as wearing a face mask can help us—and those around us—stay healthy and safe during this pandemic. Just as we’ve adjusted to this new daily ritual, we’ve adjusted our skincare practice to match. Though masks are essential to our health, they can elicit various reactions from your skin, from dry patches to breakouts. Thankfully, these reactions are temporary and easily preventable. Plus, these extra moments of care allow us a little extra time to come back to ourselves and back to the moment.
WHAT IS MASKNE & WHAT CAUSES IT?
A portmanteau of “mask” and “acne”, maskne is an overarching term for any skin irritation that occurs as a result of wearing a protective face mask. As your mask catches the particles you breathe out to keep those around you safe, it inadvertently traps moisture, oil, dirt, dead skin cells, and sweat close to your skin. This can change your pH level, which can in turn cause anything from breakouts to inflammation.
SKINCARE RITUALS TO AVOID MASKNE
Depending on the type of mask you wear and how your skin usually feels, there are generally two common outcomes—blemishes or excessive dryness. Thankfully, there are several ways to care for your skin before, during, and after wearing your mask to help minimize both. Here are just a few simple steps you can incorporate into your existing ritual.
If you're seeing more pimples pop up after wearing a reusable cloth mask, it could be because there is more build up of oils and sweat than usual. Provide an extra layer of protection to clean skin with The Liquid Silk Canvas, which acts as a barrier between skin, makeup, and your mask to help minimize clogged pores that can lead to breakouts. If you start to feel greasy as you’re wearing the mask, a quick dab with blotting papers, like our Aburatorigami, can help control excess oil while you’re out and about. Once you get home safe and are able to remove your mask for the day, wash your face to help clarify skin and get rid of excess sebum. Our oil-free cleanser, The Deep Cleanse, gently but deeply lifts impurities and decongests pores without over-drying, for clean, refreshed skin. To replenish the good moisture in your skin, nourish with our oil-free moisturizer, The Water Cream, which works to visibly tighten pores and help minimize excess oil while delivering nutrient-rich, balanced hydration.
IF YOU WEAR A REUSABLE MASK
BEFORE: Protect with The Liquid Silk Canvas
DURING: Touch-up with Aburatorigami Japanese Blotting Papers
AFTER: Purify + Nourish with The Deep Cleanse +The Water Cream
If you are seeing excessive dryness, redness, and irritation when you wear a disposable mask—or even dry patches or little red lines around your nose and mouth—there are a few steps you can take to help keep this at bay. The key to minimizing these is to include moisture in every step of your ritual. Before you put on your mask, lock in moisture with The Serum Stick. If you start to feel dryness as you’re wearing your mask, a spritz of our Luminous Dewy Skin Mist can help replenish skin’s moisture. Once you’re home and mask-free, remove impurities with our most hydrating, gentle cleanser, The Rice Wash, for soft, pure skin. To intensely hydrate and seal in moisture, nourish with The Dewy Skin Cream.
IF YOU WEAR A DISPOSABLE FACE MASK
BEFORE: Lock in Moisture with The Serum Stick
DURING: Refresh with Luminous Dewy Skin Mist
AFTER: Purify + Nourish with The Rice Wash + The Dewy Skin Cream
MASK CARE
To further minimize any discomfort in your skin, it’s also important to care for your mask. If you can, wash your cloth mask with mild soap and hot water at least twice a week, but ideally after every wear. If you have to wear one on a daily basis, it might be worth it to invest in a few to rotate between. For disposable masks, make sure to cut the strings before you dispose of it in the proper receptacle so wildlife do not get trapped in the strings.
Victoria Tsai
Chief Treasure Hunter
