OH August! It’s hot, it’s humid, but man do we love Summer! But Summer during a pandemic? Not so much.. Since March, we’ve all been faced with many different new problems, but one of the downfalls we’re currently facing today is the troublesome new issue for our skin - Mascne! Mask wearing is important right now when out in public places, as it keeps ourselves and others safe, by limiting the spread of the corona-virus, but our skin might be paying the price! Rest assured, there are many different ways you can treat, prevent, and protect your skin from breakouts caused by more frequent mask wearing, especially with masks now mandatory when going to indoor public spaces!
So, WHAT IS MASCNE?
Well you see, it’s the new skin condition that comes complementary with the COVID-19 outbreak! Changes in skin texture, dry patches, acne breakouts around the lower face area, and even an over-production of oil from mask-dehydration can occur. Wearing masks more frequently, as the WHO has advised us to do when out in public places, creates the perfect environment for heat, humidity, and bacteria to build and get trapped, then it sits in our skin until we’re able to properly cleanse it all away! Because medical and fabric masks don’t breathe like our skins does, it creates a perfect barrier to block your pores, and also cause irritation to the skin.
Homemade cloth masks – protect yourself and your community, and wear them! Bring your own mask when you’re visiting the spa, wear them out in public places where you cannot manage a safe 6-foot distance from other people, but there is no need to wear them in places such as your car when traveling alone! Limiting the need of your mask will in-turn reduce the amount of harm done to your cells, so limit your exposure. Cloth masks absorb your face’s natural oils, therefore causing dryness or dry patches, which can then cause your skin to over-compensate by over-producing oil. Imbalances suck. Be sure to WASH your reusable mask between every public use, and if you have a filter in your mask, change the filter as well. CLEAN HANDS ONLY when putting on, AND taking off your masks!
Medical-grade N95 Masks – medical workers are required to wear these masks when treating or coming in contact with persons experiencing Covid-like symptoms, but many people in the community have them as well. These masks can pose even more problems for our skin when worn for extended periods of time, such as 1 working-shift. These masks are designed to create a tight seal around the lower part of the face for protection, and filter out .3 microns of particulates and large droplets with 95% efficiency. This type of mask can create pressure sores along the mask line, irritated rashes, and breakouts occur due to the lack of oxygen to the skin, sebum imbalance, and constant irritation. Remember, CLEAN HANDS ONLY when putting on AND taking off your mask.
HOW TO AVOID MASCNE
CLEANSE
Proper cleansing is your #1 friend when trying to combat acne of any type. A proper cleanser can go a long way in your skincare regime to break down excess oils, dirt, build-up, and impurities. If you’re required to wear a mask all day for your job, try upping the amount you cleanse your face in a day - morning, mid-day, and night-time, to keep those pores clean. Begin your regime with a holistic cleanser that is specifically designed to treat the problem you’re experiencing, without stripping your skin of any other necessary oils!
Cleansers for Breakout Blemishes + Oily Skin
1. Eminence Organics Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser – A clarifying cream-gel cleanser that cools and balances with cucumber and tea tree oil. Sweet almond milk and yogurt reduce the visible signs of breakouts without stripping the skin of natural moisture.
2. Acne Advanced Foaming Cleanser – Encapsulated Salicylic Acid deeply penetrates the pores, to kill bacteria and remove blockages, green tea soothes the appearance of redness, and Provitamin B5 retains moisture so you can DEEP CLEAN your skin without stripping it.
Cleansers for Dryness + Dry Patches;
1. Eminence Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Cleanser – Mangosteen is a super-fruit known for its high antioxidant content to protect the skin from drying environmental stressors. Lactic Acid, a gentle AHA (alpha-hydroxy-acid), works to resurface the skin and improve hydration, while Ribose and Red Clover Flower help to improve skin tone and texture by refine pore size!
2. Eminence Coconut Milk Cleanser – Anti-bacterial properties from Coconut! This creamy cleanser will replenish your natural moisture barrier to leave your face feeling fresh and hydrated, with Calendula Oil to SOOTHE irritated skin.
3. Stone Crop Gel Wash - Hydration, Hyper-pigmentation, + Healing, this gel-based cleanser is a great option for the summertime because it will keep pigmentation in check from the Sun, and it won’t over-hydrate your skin during the warmer months. Stone Crop is part of the Aloe Vera family so it’s super healing as well! Great for post-sun care.
Each person’s skin has different needs, depending on its most current state.
CLEAN YOUR MASKS! The best way to avoid mascne is to always wear a clean mask. Don’t over-use your disposable mask, and be sure to throw your cloth mask in the washing machine! DID YOU KNOW - put your mask on the dash of your car in the hot sun to kill bacteria using the power of UV!
Spray the outside and inside of your masks to keep them even cleaner. WHAT TO USE - you can use alcohol solutions, or, we LOVE the Thieves of Marseilles Essential Oil blend!
PROTECT
Try using a healthy holistic BALM to create a barrier between the mask and your clean skin. The thickness of a balm will protect against dryness, irritation, as well as nourish the skin around your mask area. Try the Eminence Rosehip & Lemongrass Repair Balm for soothing post-sun skin & protect against future elemental damage, or the more cost-effective option with a simple RoseHip Balm (by Bee Lab Botanicals). This little stick is only $16 and can be thrown into any purse when you’re on the go! Makes a GREAT lip balm too! If you have more damaged, irritated skin you could try the Illuminate Active Botanical Balm, as it has many different potent botanicals to nourish and feed and heal eczema-like skin.
TIPS TO GET YOU THROUGH;
· Use a properly suited moisturizer that will keep you balanced and hydrated all day. Moisturizers don’t just FEED your skin essential nutrients, they also help to further PROTECT against outside stressors.
· Drink PLENTY OF WATER so that you and your skin are hydrated! A higher water content ensures better skin function, improving elasticity, and making it easier to bounce back from breakouts.
· No makeup. The less you can wear makeup, the better! Unless it’s Jane Iredale which is a skincare makeup and won’t block your pores or harm your mantle. Try only wearing your eye makeup and allowing the rest of your face to breath!
· No fragrant products or products with harsh chemicals, preservatives, or artificial fillers.
· Be sure that your hands are clean when putting on AND taking off your mask, and only use the loops on the side.
Book your personalized consultation with one of our Estheticians today to see what products you should be using for your unique skin type! Let’s get through this pandemic together – respect the process, and respect each other! 💖
See you at the Spa 😇
Written by, Kyndle Doolan | Spa Director of The Natural Art of Skin Care