How to Avoid Mask-Ne

Face Masks are the involuntary accessory of the season. If you’re leaving your house, you’re wearing them, everywhere in every kind of weather. And they’ve evolved rather quickly into statements. In different designs and patterns, you can customize them to be exactly what you want. With that being said, we’re seeing a rise in mask-related acne. We’ve broken down the ways to avoid the dreaded “Mask-ne.”

We’re not going to simply tell you to wash it, because duh. A study found that the virus that causes COVID is easily killed off by heat and the WHO recommends running your laundry machine at 140-190 degrees Fahrenheit. But what if you can’t wash your mask that hot? Silk masks are so trendy and skin-friendly but don’t fare well in your washing machine. The best way to handle these is by handwashing. The CDC has published this handy guide. If you have sensitive skin, make sure you use gentle detergents that are fragrance-free so you don’t add irritation to the existing struggles. It's best to dry your mask in direct sunlight, but the dryer will work fine if its fabric is made for that.

Before putting your newly cleaned mask on, prep your skin by washing it with a cleanser. Follow up with Dewing It moisturizer, because it's fragrance-free you can avoid any additional irritations. Finish up this routine with a few spritzes of Tone Down to cleanse any of the dirt or grime from the skin. The aloe also acts as a protective barrier in the skin, so that any bacteria that may be trapped in the mask doesn’t seep into your pores. You may also want to avoid makeup in that area. Let's face it, it's kind of a waste of that great makeup to keep it hidden all day anyways. Plus, it can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.

Just like you scrub your hands down at the end of the day, take the extra step to wash your face. Treat it the same way you did in the morning, with a nourishing moisturizer and a couple a refreshing spray of Tone Down.