Feel like you’re experiencing more acne breakouts since the COVID-19 pandemic hit? You might be suffering from Maskne! As if the pandemic hasn’t caused enough trouble already, dealing with breakouts from mask-wearing can cause a lot of frustration for a lot of us. While we can’t ditch the masks, here are some steps you can take to prevent and treat Maskne so there’s one less thing to worry about.

What causes mask acne?

Masks provide a damp and ideal environment for the growth of C.acnes, which are bacteria responsible for acne formation. With an increase in these bacteria, the skin’s pores become clogged with excess oil and dead skin cells, leading to the formation of blackheads and pimples.

While sticking to your normal skincare routine and regular exfoliation can help to regulate your skin’s cell renewal rate and improve blemishes, wearing a face mask may require additional steps to keep the acne at bay.

How to treat maskne?

Similar to treating normal acne, you need the right skincare ingredients to control oil production and calm irritated skin.

Salicylic acid is one of the key ingredients to help improve mild acne through chemical exfoliation and clearing the pores. This beta hydroxy acid (BHA) penetrates deep into the skin’s layers to dissolve dead skin cells that are clogging pores. Here are two effective acne treatments containing salicylic acid that you can try to treat your mask acne:

1. Biretix Duo

For those with sensitive skin, look for Biretix Duo. This anti-blemish gel helps to erase first signs of blemishes on the skin. By controlling oil production, Biretix Duo helps to reduce acne formation without drying out the skin. Dermatologically tested with excellent tolerance, this treatment is safe from irritation even for the most sensitive skin types.

2. Biretix Tri-Active Gel

If you’re dealing with a serious maskne outbreak, step up your acne treatment plan with the Biretix Tri-Active Gel. Other than salicylic acid, this gel treatment contains 15% glycolic acid, providing strong exfoliating properties to improve bumps caused by acne lesions. On top of that, it contains 5% niacinamide to effectively treat severe acne types.

All Biretix products are formulated with innovative BIOPEP 15 active ingredient. This reduces the formation of bacteria, making Biretix the perfect solution for preventing mask acne.

How to prevent maskne?

It seems like the COVID-19 pandemic is here to stay for a while, and good mask-wearing hygiene is essential for clear skin. Whether you’re acne-prone or not, here are some steps we all need to take for a clear, maskne-free complexion:

1. Cleanse, cleanse, cleanse!

Cleansing your face with a good facial cleanser is crucial to remove any excess oil and dirt that might be left on your face after a long day, especially with dirt trapped on the face mask. To prevent pore clogging, which may contribute to acne breakouts, we recommend you to cleanse your face with the Biretix Cleanser twice a day.

This oil-free gel cleanser helps to remove impurities while leaving a mattifying effect for a smooth, even tone. It also contains aloe vera to help soothe existing irritation caused by maskne.

2. Cut out the foundation

While non-comedogenic and oil-free makeup can help to reduce chances of maskne, if you can, skip the foundation underneath your mask entirely. Instead, replace it with a good broad spectrum tinted sunscreen like the Heliocare Colour Sun Touch SPF 50. It’s lightweight, and less likely to clog your pores, all while achieving the same airbrushed look.

3. Always wash your cloth masks

Reusable masks are great for the environment, but they should always be washed after every use. Using hot water and fragrance-free laundry detergent will help to remove the dirt and bacteria accumulated on the mask which may cause acne outbreaks if not cleaned.

Now you are well-equipped to fight maskne and do your part to keep everyone safe in the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re looking for more solutions to fight acne-prone skin, you can find out more in this article here.