Tips for Dealing with 'Maskne'

Is a face mask now officially part of your daily outfit? I don't know about you, but I don't leave the house without one these days. Yes, masks provide a good layer of protection, but they can also irritate the skin, clog pores, and cause acne/ congestion. Continue reading to learn how we've been dealing with 'maskne', breakouts caused masks, at janegee.

 So, what exactly is my mask causing maskne?

Maskne happens for a few reasons. First, the friction of a good-fitting mask causes irritation. Think about sports figures who wear helmets and chin guards. They are quite familiar with such breakouts and irritation. Second, the trapped warmth and humidity from our breath creates the perfect environment for acne-causing bacteria to grow.

Last, but certainly not least, stress plays a huge role in acne and congestion--whether it’s increased cortisol (the stress hormone) leading to hormonal breakouts or the fact that our diet has changed and we’re reaching for comforting treats filled with sugar, gluten, or dairy.

Luckily, there are a few things that can help:

1. Mask Material

The material of your mask plays a huge role in how your skin will feel. We have been loving 100% organic cotton or linen masks as they are the most breathable. Linen is also naturally antibacterial, which means it doesn't provide germs with an ideal breeding environment.

2. Wash Your Mask

Wash your mask regularly and use a clean mask daily. Treat your mask like underwear and wash it frequently. You don’t want all of your oil, sweat, dirt, and debris transferring to your skin as you constantly reapply your mask. When washing your mask, make sure you launder with a natural, fragrance free detergent.

3. Wash Your Face

Make sure you are using a good cleanser. Consider an oil (clear skin or cleanser no.3) or a milk (cleanser no.1 or no.2). Avoid surfactants (anything that foams or suds).

4. Detox Your Skin

Detox, detox, detox. If you've been following us for a while, you've definitely heard Jane mention the importance of detoxing your skin. In addition to a regular cleansing & moisturizing routine, we highly recommend detoxing your skin using our janegee Pure Botanical Clays once per week. With the increase of maskne, we are suggesting you increase this to 2-3 times a week and spot treat when needed. Read more about detoxing your skin here.

Olive Clay and Green Clay are our favorite for helping with acne and congestion, and Pink Clay is great for sensitive, irritated skin.

5. Protect Your Skin

Adding a skin barrier like Sweet Stick, Clear Skin, or Beauty Oil to your face before putting your mask on will help reduce irritation and keep your skin healthy and hydrated all day. Nurses, doctors, and teachers, and those wearing masks all day have been telling us that applying a thin layer of Sweet Stick or your favorite oil prior to the start of a shift has helped with mask rubbing and irritation.

6. Refresh Your Skin

Keep your skin fresh and hydrated throughout the day with one of our pure hydrosol Floral Waters. Simply spritz your face after cleansing and throughout the day as needed.

Tip: Carry our Tea Tree Floral Water with you and spray your face and mask in between wears. Tea Tree is naturally antibacterial and will help keep your mask and skin feeling fresh all day.

    While maskne is not anyone's friend, the silver lining is that you are not alone. Nearly everyone is experiencing some kind or irritation from all this excessive mask wearing. Instead of getting down on your self, carve out some time each day to detox, hydrate, and de-stress. Grab your favorite face mask, draw a warm bath, light a candle, and relax!