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By Melkorka Licea
\nNew York Post<\/p>\n
Wearing a mask can get under your skin.<\/p>\n
Ever since\u00a0face coverings<\/a>\u00a0became a mandatory part of life, a nasty side effect has broken out in its wake: \u201cMaskne.\u201d The new phrase \u2014 which combines the words \u201cmask\u201d and \u201cacne\u201d \u2014 has recently sprung up all over social media as people suffering from the new kind of blemish are venting their woes about the skin care snafu.<\/p>\n \u201cShout-out to my fellow nurses as well as other health-care workers who are back in their teenage years covered with mask acne. I feel you,\u201d\u00a0writes<\/a>\u00a0Kayla Pyrah in a May 6 Instagram post.<\/p>\n Another user laments that \u201cmy mask is causing me to break out\u201d and that maskne has become a \u201cproblem that I never thought I would have,\u201d in an Instagram\u00a0post<\/a>\u00a0from April 30.<\/p>\n But the problem isn\u2019t just affecting hormonal teens, acne-prone adults or health-care workers wearing heavy duty N95 medical masks for hours at a time. Skin experts are noticing a major zit spike in clients who have never battled pimples in the past.<\/p>\n \u201cThe fact that we\u2019re keeping something on such a sensitive area of the face .\u2009.\u2009. even people who haven\u2019t suffered with a skin situation before are now dealing with the implications of that,\u201d says New York City aesthetician\u00a0Sofie Pavitt,<\/a> who has been conducting dozens of remote acne consultations for clients while her Canal Street studio is closed due to the stay-at-home order.<\/p>\n Maskne \u2014 which is referred to as acne mechanica by derms \u2014 is caused by the combination of rubbing from the mask, which irritates the skin barrier, as well as the hot moisture trapped inside, which dilates the pores and allows bacteria and oil to clog them up. Once the follicles are trapped with gunk, they become inflamed, leading to nasty breakouts.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve seen it a lot with athletes .\u2009.\u2009. [like] people wearing a helmet, a baseball cap or even with certain instruments that rest against the chin area,\u201d says\u00a0Upper East Side dermatologist\u00a0Dr. Whitney Bowe<\/a>. If left untreated, the mask, \u201cwhich is a breeding ground for yeast and bacteria .\u2009.\u2009. could lead to infections that then require a prescription medication to clear it up.\u201d<\/p>\n But before you even worry about tackling the bacterial buildup beneath the mask, make sure yours is clean.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re wearing a cloth mask, you want to wash it frequently .\u2009.\u2009. especially if you\u2019re exercising,\u201d says Bowe. If you\u2019re using a disposable surgical mask, she suggests letting it dry out for 24 hours before wearing it again.<\/p>\n A diligent skin care regimen will help the skin bounce back from mask-inflicted congestion. Bowe advises you wash your face before and after wearing a mask, and choose a gentle skin cleanser that is free of harsh sulfates which can strip the skin of its protective oils.<\/p>\n \u201cMassage it in with fingertips only \u2014 no loofah or abrasive scrubs right now,\u201d says Bowe. \u201cThen you want to pat dry with a clean towel.\u201d Follow up with a lightweight, fragrance-free moisturizer with ingredients like glycerin and niacinamide that help strengthen the skin barrier. Bowe also suggests waiting at least 15 minutes before putting on a mask so the skin can fully absorb the product.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s hard to get that great seal of your mask if your skin is slippery from the cream,\u201d says Bowe.<\/p>\n To treat an existing bout of maskne, Pavitt suggests stripping back all the aggressive ingredients in your routine \u2014 like serums and peels \u2014 and to instead incorporate salicylic acid, or another beta hydroxy acid, to clean out the pores. Just \u201climit the amount of acids used in the mouth area to prevent irritation,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Bowe recommends an exfoliating mask, such as Drunk Elephant\u2019s \u201cBabyfacial\u201d ($80 at Sephora<\/a>) in the evening once a week max, followed up by a night cream to restore moisture. Finish with a hydrating lip balm or serum to minimize chapping.<\/p>\n Although the steps seem tedious, experts believe the mask way of life is the new normal.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is something that we\u2019re going to have to get used to. I don\u2019t see us not wearing any masks anytime soon,\u201d says Pavitt. \u201cSo it\u2019s important to know how to react to it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n