Aside from the anxiety-inducing quarantine periods and tensions over vaccines, here’s another problem that the pandemic brought us — mask acne, also known as maskne. If you’ve been noticing pimples popping up on your chin and jaw area, then read on below. Here’s how to treat maskne at home.

What is maskne, anyway?

Maskne is a type of acne called acne mechanica, which happens when the skin is exposed to friction, rubbing, squeezing and pressure. This is different from the common acne or from hormonal acne. It happens because the skin is irritated and hair follicles become inflamed.

Because face masks and face shields are unfortunately part of our new normal, maskne will also be a part of our problem. Don’t worry, while we will have to deal with wearing masks, there are things you can do to treat maskne at home.

Wash your face regularly.

Maskne gets worse when your face is dirty. When the pores are clogged with oil and dirt, breakouts happen. To avoid this, wash your face regularly. It is best to wash your face before and after wearing a face mask. Make sure to use a gentle cleanser that won’t strip your face off of its natural oils too much.

Wash your hands regularly.

Aside from the fact that you need to wash your hands regularly to avoid contracting COVID-19, you should also do this to avoid transmitting more bacteria to your skin. Dirty hands touching your face and face mask will just lead to more bacteria and skin breakouts.

Choose the right kind of face mask.

You might think that all masks are the same and it doesn’t matter, just as long as you are wearing one. But that’s not the case. The wrong kind of mask can trigger irritation, or worse — allow the virus to get inside your system. Make sure your mask fits you well and don’t reuse them. Disposable masks are meant to be disposed after each use!

Don’t wear heavy makeup.

You don’t need to wear heavy makeup right now, especially since half of your face will be covered anyway. Heavy foundations can further trap bacteria and oil. If you are prone to getting pimples and irritation, it is important to let your skin breathe. If you can’t go without makeup, at least use products that are non-comedogenic (won’t block your pores), like tinted moisturizers or light foundations.

Use gentle spot treatments.

If you are already dealing with acne marks and dark spots from maskne, you should treat it as soon as possible. Pimple marks and dark spots are a lot easier to treat when they are fairly new. There are a lot of treatments available — from laser to chemical peels but the best acne mark treatments for sensitive skin should be gentle and chemical-free.

Akoyn Beauty Golden Mud Turmeric & Papaya Facial Bar

Go for natural alternatives like Akoyn Beauty’s Golden Mud Turmeric & Papaya. This organic facial bar soap is made especially for sensitive skin. The turmeric & papaya duo effectively lightens hyperpigmentation and marks without drying out your skin.

Be mindful of your sweat.

We know sweat is a natural thing that happens to protect the body but this can also trigger irritation. Warm and humid weather can really make things worse. Imagine wearing a face mask the whole day during a hot day! That will be a nightmare for your skin. To avoid irritation, wipe sweat and oil with a clean towel. Better yet, stay in a safe and cool place when the temperature gets too hot.

Don’t forget to moisturize.

Yes, you should still moisturize even if your face is under mask the whole day. In fact, is more important than ever to keep your skin healthy. If your skin is dry, it is more prone to getting irritated. But if your skin’s natural protective barrier is healthy and strong, it won’t be too affected by bacteria and dirt.

You don't have book an expensive appointment every time you have minor skin problems. There are simple steps you can do treat maskne at home. By staying home, you also won't be exposing yourself to the virus outside. So, keep safe, stay home and take care of your skin!