3 Effective skincare ingredients to help you deal with "maskne"

Still, many are discovering that wearing a mask for a prolonged amount of time can lead to “maskne” – an acne breakout around your mouth and on your chin. To help you beat it, we got a little expert advice from skincare therapist and owner of Glow Aesthetics Skin Rejuvenation and Depigmentation Clinic in Cape Town, Jaishal Patel. 

Why me? 

According to Patel, maskne is the result of all the humidity your mask can trap around your mouth area. “This creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria”, she says. Things can also be made worse if you repeatedly wear the same cloth mask without washing it or keep on reusing a disposable mask that’s meant to be thrown away at the end of each day. Fortunately, with the right skincare, you can minimise your risk of breaking out and clear existing acne fast.

The three superhero ingredients to look out for

Patel says three of the best acne-busting skincare ingredients are alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), salicylic acid (also known as BHA) and benzoyl peroxide. 

“AHA’s, such as lactic, mandelic and glycolic acids, are great to use on a congested skin as it helps to dry up existing whiteheads, blackheads and acne,” she says. “They work by breaking down the ‘glue’ holding your skin cells together, urging along your skin’s natural exfoliation process.” You could always apply an AHA lotion at night but her top tip is to look out for AHA-infused resurfacing wipes that you can keep in your handbag and use after prolonged periods of mask-wearing. 

As for salicylic acid, this exfoliates too but manages to penetrate much deeper into your skin. “Salicylic acid actually dissolves the excess oil and dead skin that collects inside your pores, leading to blackheads and pimples,” says Patel. For this reason, it’s a common ingredient in face washes formulated for oily or acne-prone skin. 

While ensuring your skincare routine includes AHAs and salicylic acid will help prevent breakouts, you’re going to want something you can reach for when you’re dealing with an active breakout. In this case, Patel reckons an on-the-spot treatment containing good old benzoyl peroxide can save the day. “Benzoyl peroxide is proven to kill the bacteria that causes acne and can help dry up your pimple,” she says. 

A note about sunscreen

Just a word of warning – all of these active ingredients can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun, says Patel. This is why it’s important that you always wear a sunscreen every time you leave the house. To ensure you never forget? Simply leave it next to your mask!  

IMAGE CREDIT: 123rf.com