What is 'Maskne' and how to prevent it

If you are one of the many people in areas of Australia who have adopted a face mask as part of your daily outfit, you may have discovered what has been dubbed ‘maskne’. The new term refers to the exacerbation of acne, breakouts and blocked pores caused by masks.

Put, simply, acne is a condition caused by the blockage of the pores – while this blockage is often caused by factors such as oil and dead skin, it can also be due to dirt and grime, the contact of a mask or visor against the skin and your breathe trapped within it.

So, what can you do to manage this?

• Cleanse your face morning and night and take the time to thoroughly remove your makeup. We also recommend a gentle exfoliating scrub at night.
• When choosing makeup, head for a non-comedogenic and talc free brand that will not clog your pores. We recommend Issada baked or loose mineral foundations that allow your skin to breathe and are less likely to block pores and irritate the skin.

• Apply an oil-free moisturiser or a primer like the Issada Calm Balm which can help to protect and soothe the skin and act as a skin barrier.

• If possible, avoid heavier makeup on days when you are wearing a mask and change or wash your mask frequently.
• Try to keep hairsprays and gels away from your face because they can also block pores and irritate the skin.
• Wash your face during the day if you can especially if you are working in heat or in a dusty environment.
• Keep your fingers away from your face at all costs – no touchy-touchy! This applies to picking and squeezing, which will only make breakouts worse.
• Change your pillowcase daily as bacteria and products from your hair will transfer to your face while you sleep.

Visors or face shields can cause a similar problem to hats and caps in that the rim is in contact with the forehead for long periods of time, gathering oil, dirt and sweat and blocking the escape of sebum (oil) through the pores. Where possible wash the rim of the visor during the day, and better still if feasible, cut a strip from a dry disposable face cloth to place between the rim of the visor and your face. That way you can change it frequently and always have a clean band against your skin.