Last Updated on December 11, 2020
Wearing a face mask has become our reality now, but just because we are getting used to it, it doesn’t mean that our skin is. The constant use of a mask can cause a skin condition by the name of “maskne” – a new word for the acne that affects the area in which your mask is worn. This condition isn’t exclusive to people who wear face masks, as it can also be observed in cyclists and football players with acne-prone skin since they wear a helmet with straps, which causes the same type of skin issues.
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1. What causes ‘maskcne?’
The pressure caused by the mask on your skin is the main trigger for acne. The mask serves as a barrier that protects your face, and the combination between occlusion and friction is enough to trigger your acne. If you add emotional stress to the mix, the recipe is complete. Wearing a face mask during the hot weather will often worsen any facial skin conditions you might suffer from, leading to dry, irritated skin.
2. Miliaria
Miliaria is the term used to refer to a heat rash, which might happen to people who wear a mask as a result of the accumulation of sweat under the mask. The covered skin area is exposed to a lot of humidity and high levels of CO2, not to mention a higher temperature, thus harboring a fair amount of microorganisms and bacteria coming from your respiratory system and your mouth. Unlike acne, miliaria is a direct response from your immune system to the fact that your dead skin cells and your sweat are trapped in your pores
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3. Rosacea
The constant use of a mask can mess up your skin microbiome, which can trigger acne and miliaria, as we have stated before, but also rosacea. This chronic inflammatory condition happens as a consequence of a dysfunction in your skin barrier. The chronic redness in your face is caused by the widening of your blood vessels, triggered by an intense immune response.
4. What can you do to deal with maskne?
If you are going to keep using a disposable face mask, you might as well know what can be done to protect your skin and care for it. So here is how to prevent acne on your face while wearing a mask.
