I thought it was just me who’s experiencing skin breakout in the first weeks of the pandemic, until we had Zoom chat with my gal and guy friends. To our surprise, almost everyone has breakout in similar area, which is the chin and lower cheek area.
The culprit we first thought of: face masks!
But why is this happening? I should be protected inside the mask, right?
While yes we are protected from the outside world, the other concern would be what’s happening inside our masks. With our breathing and little ventilation, our chin and cheek area is becoming humid which makes it a perfect environment for P.acne bacteria!
What should I start doing then?
Here’s what we all can do in dealing with maskne:
- Wash that mask, please
While it can be tempting to reuse the mask you have only used for 30 minutes at the grocery store, this is much more risky than we think. The sweat, saliva, or skincare that has come contact with the mask fabric can be a breeding ground for bacteria.
In case you really want to reuse, it’s safe if you wash the mask with soap and hot water.
- Check your mask fabric
Some fabrics can be harsh on the skin. You may not notice it but the small frictions with our skin and fabric can cause irritations.
Recommended fabrics are cotton and silk. Nowadays, filters are available and can be bought separately in the market, so function of filtering won’t be an issue. What’s a better way to be fashionable in this pandemic situation than wearing your favorite silk color. ?
- Use gentle and lightweight skin care products
If you’re used to using moisturizers daily, maybe try switching to a lightweight formula that won’t potentially clog the pores. Consider using aloe vera like Nature Republic 92% Aloe Vera Gel. Focus on products that will both hydrate and heal your skin.
- Dare to be (partially) bare
If you dare, consider skipping heavy makeup when wearing mask ‘coz half of our face is hidden anyway? Makeup tends to clog the pores. And with the heat inside our mask, our pores are most likely to open and prone to clogging!
- De-stress
The COVID-19 pandemic has definitely impacted us in many ways. If you’re feeling down because of the situation, know that your feelings are valid. It’s okay not to be positive regarding the situation.
Find a way for you to destress, may it be as simple as talking to your friends, listening to your comfort music, drinking your favorite tea, or doing guided meditations.
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