Suddenly find yourself breaking out? As a result of regular mask wearing, you might find yourself suffering from “Maskne”. Put simple, Maskne is characterized by blemishes and irritation around the areas covered by your cloth face mask. Unlike other forms of acne, Maskne is not super intuitive to treat. However with a little diligence and loving self-care, you’ll be on your way to clearer skin in no time. Read on to learn how to protect your skin while wearing a mask...

These days, you’re likely spending a lot of time washing your hands, but don’t forget to be kind to your face! Washing your face before AND after wearing a face mask is the first step to preventing and treating Maskne. If you mask up with an unwashed face, you’re actually helping to “push” the acne-causing bacteria deep into the skin. Consider washing your face each time you leave the house and cleanse again once you’re home. It may sound like a lot of work, but your face will thank you! 

Additionally, it may seem counterintuitive when tackling Maskne, but ideally you’ll be reaching for your most gentle facial cleanser. Harsh chemicals are the enemy to skin irritation! We recommend Ocean Cleansing Milk, a soothing mineral-rich cleanser that calms irritation and stressed out skin. Limit the use of AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids), BHAs (Beta Hydroxy Acids) and traditional acne treatments such as Benzoyl Peroxide and Salicylic Acid which may be drying to an already compromised skin barrier. Using a gentle face wash will help repair the skin’s protective barrier, resulting in clearer looking skin.

After cleansing, use a calming hydrating mist to soothe surface inflammation caused by mask wearing. Sea Minerals Mist provides weightless hydration, counters redness and rebalances to help you stay in the clear. Misting is a seriously refreshing activity to do post-mask wearing as well.

Next up, we recommend applying a hydrating serum for barrier repair, like Hyaluronic Sea Serum. Three molecular weights of Hyaluronic Acid, combined with soothing organic seaweeds help to protect the skin’s barrier and prevent future breakouts. Plus it leaves your skin looking dewy and youthful!

Follow with a lightweight moisturizer to seal everything in. Steer clear of oil free moisturizers which can perpetuate the Maskne cycle by stripping skin of crucial hydration. We love Blemish Balm for its soothing Organic Jojoba Oil and Seaweed base, as well as its blemish busting properties from Thyme, Juniper and Tea Tree Oils. This moisturizer will knock out blemishes quickly while tackling surface redness.

Ideally, you’ll want to wash your cloth face mask after wearing it. Use unscented, natural detergent whenever possible. It’s a good idea to have a few face masks on hand to switch out between uses. Choose a mask that creates as little friction as possible on the skin. If you must wear a mask made of synthetic materials, try wearing a cotton mask under it to protect the skin. For further guidelines, we recommend staying up-to-date with the CDC on face mask guidelines.

While your Maskne is healing, try sleeping on your back to avoid irritation. If you’re a side sleeper, you may find it helpful to place a bolster or pillow under your knees for low back support and help you stay put. 

If you have the time, a super relaxing self-care ritual we recommend is masking. Red Algae Mask draws out impurities with French Red Clay and Organic Seaweed to soothe and plumps skin. While it percolates, try some deep breathing. You got this!