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Any kind of acne scars are frustrating and can seriously affect your self-esteem. While it might feel like you're the only person going through this, you're not alone!
Breakouts and acne scars can often feel like they're out of your control, but this is especially true when your mask causes them. That's right, in the era of COVID-19, it's not uncommon for people to break out due to their masks.
So, if you're suffering from maskne, Nourishing Biologicals is here to help guide you on how to reduce the appearance of your maskne scarring.
Why Do You Get Maskne Scars
Your face mask causes Maskne. When you're wearing a mask all day and continue to take it on and off, it can easily pick up traces of bacteria. Not to mention all the sweat and skin cells that are sitting on your mask – kind of yucky, we know.
While bacteria and sweat build-up are common ways to get maskne, acne caused solely by your mask is slightly different. This type of acne is called "acne mechanica."
Acne mechanica is caused by friction against the skin, leading to clogged pores and breakouts. It can occur on its own or can worsen already apparent acne.
You can get maskne scars the same way you get regular acne scars. Your skin breaks out, and a few of those pimples scar over.
Sometimes pimples scarring over is inevitable, but for the most part, it's pretty avoidable, just as long as you keep the face picking to a minimum.
Common Causes of Maskne
Before you get maskne scars, you'll first experience maskne (acne caused by your face mask). Now that you know what maskne is and you have a decent idea of why you might have it, let's talk about other factors of maskne that aren't acne mechanica.
Makeup
Wearing makeup under your mask can cause serious breakouts. In fact, wearing makeup under your mask increases your chance of getting clogged pores.
Humidity
While we may be in the midst of our colder months, once spring and summer come around, you can expect the weather to get more humid soon. The extra moisture, sweat, and humidity in the air may increase your chance of suffering from breakouts too.
Dry, Cold Weather
Your skin will be naturally drier in the colder months, which means it will be extra easy to cause friction under your mask. The best way to avoid dry skin is by moisturizing with a quality face serum, like our Miracular Face Serum, every day and by using an extra nourishing cleanser
How To Avoid Maskne Scars
The best solution to your maskne scar mishap would be trying to avoid mask-acne altogether. We know you're wearing a mask all day, so it might seem difficult. First, there are ways you can avoid getting maskne completely.
Wash Fabric Masks Daily
The main cause of maskne is bacteria on the mask. If you're washing your cloth masks after each use, then you may experience fewer breakouts.
We know masks go missing all the time, so it can be hard to have a constant supply of them. We suggest using your cloth masks first, and once you run out of clean ones, have a backup supply of disposable ones.
These aren't quick as stylish, but they get the job done.
Don't Reuse Disposable Masks
While nobody wants to admit it, we're all guilty of reusing our disposable masks. When they're conveniently sitting on the dashboard, and you just have to run into the store, for one thing, it can be hard not to. However, this is a bad habit we all need to break in 2022.
It seems like it won't do any harm once or twice, but trust us, it might. Any type of bacteria build-up can cause breakouts, which is why always having a fresh mask is crucial.
Remove Mask Often
We suggest finding a private area to remove your mask for 10 - 15 minutes every three to four hours. This will allow your skin to breathe a bit.
With your mask on all day, you can expect your skin to get pretty sweaty, and some of the leading causes of breakouts are build-up sweat and bacteria.
Wash Hands Often
Washing your hands before putting on or taking off your mask is a crucial step to ensuring your skin is always as clean as possible. You put on, take off, and touch your mask throughout the day, which can lead to touching your face more and exposing your skin to bacteria.
Keep your hands clean, which may prevent your skin from breaking out.
Find The Right Mask
Considering your mask is to blame for your most recent breakouts, it only makes sense that you reevaluate your mask game.
Making sure your mask is stylish is essential, but we'd say it's your second priority in this case. First, let's talk about what to look for in a good mask, and then you can start color coordinating them to your outfits.
- Find a mask that fits snuggly but is not too tight. If it's lost, it can cause extra friction, but if it's too tight, it will make it impossible for your skin to breathe. Plus, it won't be the most comfortable.
- Has double layers. Not only are masks with two layers safer in general, but they are also thicker and sturdier, so it may prevent them from rubbing against your skin so intensely.
- A mask made from natural fabrics is a great way to go. Anything natural is going to be better for your skin. Opt for materials such as cotton that are soft on your skin.
- Avoid masks with synthetic fabrics such as nylons or rayon – these may irritate your skin.
Wash Your Face Before and After Each Use
If maskne is a problem you've been dealing with this past year, and it won't subside no matter your efforts, maybe it's time to switch out your skincare routine.
Sometimes your skincare routine has to change when your environment or routine changes, and wearing a mask for 12 hours a day is an environmental change that might be worth changing your routine over.
If you've always been a once-a-day cleanser, we're here to say you may need to reevaluate. We know two washes a day seems like overkill, but trust us, all that extra build-up probably needs it.
You should wash your face first thing in the morning (before you put your mask on), then again at night (once you take your mask off).
Maybe your maskne isn't acne mechanical at all, and you're just breaking out bacteria from your hands and mask. Either way, there is no reason to be ashamed — everyone gets acne, and everyone has their insecurities surrounding it.
You must use a nourishing cleansing that has hydrating qualities.
What To Do if You Already Have Maskne Scars
What if you already have a chin full of maskne scars and don't know how to treat them. First off, take a deep breath — there are ways you can lessen the appearance of acne scars.
Incorporate Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is a common ingredient in many skincare or acne products, which is why it may be a treatment method for you to try. Salicylic acid can aid in relieving redness and irritation, which may help reduce the appearance of acne scars.
Add Growth Factors
Ingredients, like growth factors, play an important role in maintaining your skin’s elasticity and firmness. Using skincare products with growth factors help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, reversing the visible signs of aging.
Growth factors can help nourish, revitalize, and repair your skin from the inside out.
MASK-LOGIC®
MASK-LOGIC® works to Intensely hydrate skin for a smoother, firmer, and calmer appearance. It nourishes the skin barrier to help protect skin from redness, swelling, acne, maskne, and other irritation.
Good-Bye Maskne, Hello Glowing Skin
With every beauty trend revolving around natural and glowing skin, it can be hard to accomplish that with a different maskne breakout every 12 hours.
At Nourishing Biologicals, we want everyone to feel comfortable and confident in their skin, and if getting your maskne under control does that, then we will give you all the tips and tricks we've got.
Getting your skin perfect can be tricky business, and while skin care and routine has a lot to do with, genetics do as well. Some people need to try much harder to have clearer skin, and that’s totally okay. Our biggest tip is to try and fall in love with the process of getting your skin just right, and everything else will fall into place.
Follow us on Instagram @nourishingbiologicals.
Sources:
IS YOUR WORKOUT CAUSING YOUR ACNE? | Americanisation Dermatology
Acne mechanica caused by skin on skin friction | Dermatology Times
"Maskne" is the New Acne, and It's Caused by Wearing a Face Mask | us dermatology partners.
.The Psychosocial Impact of Post-Acne Scarring | hmp global learning network
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