You may have heard the term “maskne” during the COVID-19 pandemic — it’s associated with acne breakouts that are presumably caused by wearing a face mask when in public or otherwise necessary.
Dr. Erica Ghareeb with WVU Dermatology confirmed that yes, maskne is a real thing. She explained how maskne develops and provided information as to how it can be treated or even prevented altogether.
According to Ghareeb, maskne is defined as acne and irritation due to wearing a mask. The most common type of maskne is what’s known as acne mechanica, which is acne secondary to friction. This is most often developed by football players where their helmets rub their skin.
In addition to the friction, masks provide a perfect place for microorganisms to thrive and affect the skin.
“Masks create a warm, moist environment which allows bacteria, yeast and other skin flora such as demodex — types of skin mites that naturally live on our skin — to grow,” Ghareeb said.
These organisms, in combination with the friction caused by masks, can result in flare-ups of conditions like acne and rosacea.
Ghareeb said that those experiencing a maskne breakout should consider over-the-counter cleansers or creams that contain ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Creams that contain retinol are helpful in preventing acne but should be used carefully as they can be very drying at first.
There are several steps people can take to try to prevent maskne altogether. Ghareeb recommends wearing masks that are made of 100% cotton because lighter, breathable materials allow the skin to remain cooler and easier to clean.
“Masks ideally should be cleaned frequently [or] daily with a fragrance-free detergent. Skip dryer sheets and fabric softener, since these often contain high amounts of fragrance, which can lead to other issues such as contact dermatitis or eczema,” she said.
Simplifying your skincare routine can also help combat maskne. You should cleanse and moisturize your skin daily using a mild, fragrance-free cleaner and a light moisturizer with sunscreen, especially mineral-based products with zinc or titanium dioxide.
Ghareeb said, “A light layer of moisturizer can help act as a barrier to prevent friction from masks.”
Furthermore, you should skip makeup for now if maskne is of great concern to you. Makeup can clog pores and lead to breakouts, especially under masks.
If you can’t avoid makeup altogether, Ghareeb suggests opting for light makeup and selecting products that are non-comedogenic. You could also choose to use a tinted moisturizer with sunscreen.
Ghareeb said that whether or not an individual develops maskne is also heavily dependent on their skin type. Acne-prone individuals are more likely to develop maskne more often. This is especially true for women, who often develop deep, hormonal cystic lesions around their cheeks and jaws.
“That’s the main patient subset I see that gets worse,” she said.
For both acne-prone individuals and those who are accustomed to flaunting unblemished skin, maskne can affect self-esteem and self-perception. Ghareeb said some individuals affected by maskne want desperately to fix the problem, but also don’t want to be seen without their masks.
“[It] has a huge impact on people’s lives,” she said.
According to Ghareeb, maskne is the kind of condition dermatologists live to treat because it is easily remedied and leaves patients feeling better about themselves.
Ghareeb recommends seeing a dermatologist for further help if maskne symptoms do not dissipate with the aforementioned treatment options.
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