As if stress or hormonal breakouts aren’t annoying enough, we’re now combating maskne (mask-acne, get it!?)
Maskne breakouts are common along the chin and cheeks, even nose, where your mask sits.

There are a few things you can do to combat your maskne

Wash your mask

This one is pretty straightforward but so many people aren’t doing it! If you’re wearing a reusable mask, you need to be washing it nightly.  Wash them by hand with a gentle detergent, something that isn’t too fragranted. If you’re using a disposable mask, throw them out after each use. They are not meant to be worn longterm and need to be tossed once soiled (ie. if you sneeze in your mask)

Wash your face

Putting your mask on a clean face will help. This also means your should probably forgo makeup like foundation and lipstick. Keep it simple: cleanse, serum, moisturizer, SPF, face mask! Wash your face after using masks as well although you should always be cleansing every night.
Our favourite cleanser is Dermaquest Essentials Cleanser. This gentle cleanser is great for those with AHA sensitivities. It draws out dirt, impurities, and makeup from your skin as pineapple and papaya extracts gently exfoliates the skin.
Or if you need something stronger, Dermaquest DermaClear BHA Cleanser uses salicylic acid to relieve congestions and expel your acne concerns.

Exfoliate

We prefer chemical or enzymatic exfoliants to physical exfoliants. Physical scrubs tend to cause micro tears in your skin, causing bacteria to spread easier. That’s already happening under your mask so we’re trying to avoid it!
You can spot treat with a benzoyl peroxide like our Dermaquest Dermaclear Spot Treatment without causing dryness or if you prefer an enzyme, our Dermaquest Mini Pumpkin Mask uses pumpkin pulp to control acne and hyperpigmentation.

Use skin soothing serums and moisturizers

We want to add moisture back to the skin so adding products to your routine that hydrate, like a hyaluronic acid, is very important. Skip your heavy winter creams and opt for products that are free of fragrance and are gentle.
Our Dermaquest Delicate Soothing Serum and Delicate Daily Moisturizer not only help with soothing redness and inflamed skin, it is also calming and helps strengthen distressed skin. Dermaquest B5 Serum is a hyaluronic acid that penetrates into many layers, providing instant, lasting moisture

Skip the makeup

Realistically, we don’t need to wear a full face of foundation, blush, bronzer, etc. Base makeup under your mask, like foundations, will further trap bacteria into your pores.

Don’t forget SPF

Just because we’re skipping makeup, doesn’t mean we need to skip SPF. Sunscreen is super important all year round. We prefer mineral sunscreens that contain zinc oxide like our Dermaquest SheerZinc SPF 30. Mineral sunscreens are best for sensitized and acne-prone skins. 

LED Light Therapy

LED is totally painless, noninvasive, and can be done in the comfort of your own home with our LED Shields. 
Blue LED specifically treats acne that presents on or directly under the surface of skin. It reduces excess sebum production and can even help with scars left behind by acne. You can wear your LED Shield for up to 20mins every day or night, on cleansed skin. LED requires no downtime and is totally safe, even on pregnant or breastfeeding women. We do not recommend LED if you have Lupus or heightened light sensitivity

all Dermaquest products mentioned, and LED Shield are available for purchase at Lashes & Lipstick.