Don’t let the maskne get you down

In the shit sundae that has been 2020, maskne has been the pustular cherry on top. It’s the predictable outcome of a cesspool of oil, sweat, bacteria and friction- like steaming gunk directly into your pores. And seeing as it targets the most responsible mask-wearers amongst us, it is also incredibly rude.

Mine, as I’m sure yours, started slowly. A few small spots here and there, and every now and then one that would hit the mirror (score). But as summer roared on and I revelled in the freedom to be able to leave the apartment more, along came the cysts. I was putting it down to stress and a suspicion that my hormones were on the fritz (I’ll write more on this soon). While I have no doubt that these are unwelcome sebum contributors, let’s be clear: the chief agitator is the mask.

I have some tips to share, but first I want to to berate acne for being such a bitch. This is not my first experience with acne, and luckily it isn’t my most severe. I’ve always been more acne-prone, but about four years ago I was accidentally prescribed a different brand (and thus strength) of birth control pills. I spent three months battling cystic acne with every last cream, treatment, and dollar available. Thankfully once I realised it was hormonal things cleared up quickly, but not without leaving me emotionally exhausted even after such a short bout. That episode was the catalyst that got me so interested in skincare, and since then I’ve been admittedly smug about my clear skin. Don’t worry, 2020 has knocked me off that perch.

The unwitting side effect of acne, in my experience, is the guilt. Not the guilt that you have a spot or two, but the guilt that you somehow care. It knocks your confidence and makes you feel vain at the same time. It makes you question how well you’re looking after yourself, how hydrated you are, whether you’re hygienic enough, or maybe you’re over-cleansing? Perhaps you have a food intolerance, or it’s your detergent, bloody hell could you be pregnant?! All the while reminding yourself that it’s no big deal, because you don’t want to be someone that cares too much about their face.

Our skin is an indicator of our overall wellbeing, so it’s no surprise that 2020 has brought things to a head (yes, that was a pimple metaphor). While maskne may be a minor player in things going on this year, by keeping it at bay we can tackle the associated guilt and hopefully divert some of that attention away from dwelling on what we look like. At the very least, we should be proud that it is borne from the desire to keep our communities healthy by wearing a mask.

Things that have helped my maskne but have not cured my maskne, for maskne is forever in flux:

The mask itself
Let’s start with the most obvious: the mask. It needs to be changed out daily (or more) and washed properly. I am often lazy and chuck mine in with my washing, but I may start hand-washing again soon with a fragrance-free deterg. Cotton is best, the surgical ones the worst. I have a few with a white interior, and while these can look gross when they catch makeup and lip balm, it is a good reminder to not wear dirty ones. Like underwear.

Oils
In the past I have been known to preach from the mountaintops about facial oils for acne-prone skin. I was not wrong, but please temporarily disregard. Underneath a mask I have found my oils or oil-based moisturisers to be way too occlusive and I can feel the congestion. I have switched to a water-based moisturiser, especially in the morning.

My favourites are: Primera Water Berry Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer, Tatcha Water Cream Moisturizer, Peach Slices Citrus-Honey Aqua Glow, and I won’t lie I’ve dabbled in the Trader Joe’s Ultra Hydrating Gel Moisturiser

Pimple Patches
While they won’t prevent the spots from forming, hydrocolloid pimple patches are my holy grail product for defeating spots when they arise. They draw the big boys out, stop you from touching them, stop them from scabbing, and if you’re a picker like me, they stop them from scarring. I use them overnight and can gauge where my skin is at by how many I need (there was a period last year where I didn’t need one for months, while these days I’m averaging about five a night).

My most trusted brand is CosRX, though I recently tried the Peach Slices Acne Spot Dots and they were great too. I’ve read that drugstore hydrocolloid bandage (think blister plasters) can be cut up to the same effect, but I haven’t tried it so who heckin’ knows.

The other masks
I’ve never had a professional facial (not that that would be possible at the moment anyway), but I have always been diligent with at home face masks. My absolute all-time favourite forevermore is the Glamglow Supermud. I use it about twice a week, and the big tube usually lasts a whole year. I like to follow it with a moisturising mask because I need soothing and also to stop my skin drying out. I like the Frank Bod Glow Mask or the Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Mask, or even just honey.

Mindset
This is a compulsory reminder (for you and for me) of everything we already know: your skin doesn’t define you, nobody even notices, if they do notice who cares, don’t pick but if you do use a needle and clean hands, drink your water, get some sleep, and most of all… wear a mask.