MASKNE

Skin

MASK’NE

Măsk•nē, n., def: Combination of the words “mask” + “acne”. Usually refers to acne breakouts caused by extended wearing of face masks, but can also be used to describe any skin irritation due to masks.

You know it is real when we have a name for it! Maskne is real.

If you know someone who has to wear a mask for a long period during the day, please share it with them. It is so important to know how to approach this new skin condition due to Covid 19 pandemic.

Maskne symptoms may include:

Itchiness, redness, sensitivity for touch. May feel like burning. It may be dry with bumpy skin and blotchy. In extreme cases, it can be weeping and raw.

It may also trigger past skin conditions like acne, eczema and rosacea.

Why is the skin reacting like this and what can you do about it?

In short, the skin surface is compromised, and you need to either tweak what you are using or back right of your products and let your skin do its job.

Let’s dive in a bit deeper..

THE SKIN – IS OUR GREATEST PROTECTOR

Skin is designed to be a protector factor in our body. Its main job is a barrier function: keeping all nasties out (UV, toxins, skin debris like sweat) as well as keeping the goodies in (like water and nutrients).

Most of the skin protection happens on the outermost layer of the skin (stratum corneum). The protection happens thanks to the top layer constantly renewing itself. The skin renews by the rising of cells that travels from the bottom layer to the outer layer, once reached to the surface it will stay until it hardens up, die, and slough off – this is an infinite process of skin renewal. The second protection is our acid mental: a mix of substances in the skin like hydro-lipid mixed with sweat and sebum, together are forming this protective layer.

Surprisingly, these two protectives systems are thinner than our hair.

“WHAT’S ALL THIS TO DO WITH THE MASK”, I HEAR YOU ASKING?

The mask holds heat, humidity, carbon dioxide, sweat and exhaled bacteria with other particles. This disrupts the delicate balance of the stratum corneum, acid mantle and microbiome (the good fellas that live on our skin.. like flora in the gut).

A good mask that is snuggly-fit, will also come into direct contact with the skin and can cause mechanical damage from friction like cold sores or an allergic reaction to a substance in the mask.

Once the skin’s barrier is impaired or compromised, toxins, bacteria and other irritants can enter the skin more easily. Moisture and lipids can be lost, and skin cells can’t slough off as well. This can result in red, sensitive, irritated skin that looks dry, flaky, bumpy and blotchy.

It can lead to chaffed, broken skin or infection. Which can lead to and trigger inflammation, which can then continue to exacerbate acne, rosacea eczema and other inflammatory-sensitive skin issues.

SO WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT?

MOST IMPORTANTLY IS – CHANGE THE MASK OFTEN! DO NOT WEAR THE SAME MASK OVER AND OVER AGAIN!

Now that we clear that out of the way, let’s have a closer look at what is happening under these masks:

The hot, humid environment created under the mask is putting the skin under a lot of stress. If protected from further stress and left alone, it has a remarkable capacity to repair itself. The best thing you can do is just protect it so it can go ahead and do its job. “Seal it to heal it” is a good mantra to keep in mind.

1. “IF IT AIN’T BROKEN, DON’T FIX IT!”

If your skin seems to have no reaction or irritation, it may be tolerating mask ok. I suggest you keep on doing what you are doing.

2. IRRITATION? – BACK TO BASIC

If your skin is experiencing some form of irritation or reaction, cut back on your skincare to the bare essentials (gentle cleanser and moisturiser).

No make-up under the mask, it can clog pores and cause irritation to compromised skin. (it is unnecessary anyway as no one can see it, right?)

Minimize the use of products you are putting on your skin. Even if you’ve used them before, since your current skin condition is compromised and you are experiencing skin irritation, you could be developing a reaction or sensitivity. Avoid it by helping your skin do its job, nourish the skin with the tools it needs to repair and regenerate healthier skin cells.

Use a cleanser that is gentle on the skin and will preserve the natural oils on the skin (the acid mental). No wipes! And avoid cleanser that has harsh detergents (e.g. sodium lauryl sulphate), as well as no parabens, fragrances, SLS, petrochemicals or any poorly formulated products. You will be safe to use a professional product that you can purchase in a salon, prescribed by a beauty therapist or skin specialist. Use your cleanser sparingly—only once a day, twice a day at most. A cleanser with anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory will be ideal.

Suggestion: UNSTRESS GENTLE CLEANSING MILK