Written by: Kelsie Matthews, L.E
During these crazy times, one of the most important things we can do to protect ourselves and others from COVID19, is by wearing a mask. Since they are required just about anywhere you go right now, most of us find ourselves wearing a mask sometimes for 8-10+ hours per day. Although it’s great for us ladies who no longer have to apply our makeup from the nose down, many of us are suffering from what is commonly know
n as “mask-ne”. Even though acne breakouts from wearing masks should be the least of our worries during a pandemic, it is still frustrating and hard to get rid of. Even as an esthetician, I find myself constantly looking for new ways to prevent and get rid of these pesky breakouts. Being in an industry where we work so closely with other people, I usually wear my mask for at least 8 hours a day. Since they rest directly on our faces, sweat, makeup, products, and sunscreen get trapped in our pores which leads to more breakouts.
How can I get rid of it?
The best thing you can do is keeping the skin as clean as possible, and exfoliating regularly. These are some of the ways you can keep your “mask-ne” under control:
Wash or dispose of your mask daily
Cleanse your skin morning and night
Remove dirt, sweat, and oil immediately after wearing a mask (my personal favorite method is wiping the area with my ZO Oil Control Pads)
Exfoliate your skin physically or chemically 2-3x per week
Steam your face to open your pores and loosen congestion
Incorporate products with Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids (as directed by your Esthetician or Physician)
Avoid wearing makeup and other comedogenic products while wearing a mask
Drink LOTS of water in order to keep your body and skin hydrated
Change your pillowcase and bedding often
Avoid eating processed, sugary, and greasy foods
Visit your local MedSpa for a facial treatment every 2-4 weeks
What kind of facial treatment is the best?
Now is one of the best times to go in and visit your esthetician for a facial because not only will it help your breakouts, it’s also a good time to get something like a chemical peel or another treatment that comes with any 
downtime, for those who are working from home. My favorite treatments to help clean out my pores and clear up breakouts is Hydrafacial or a chemical peel. Both of these treatments give the skin a great exfoliation, and remove congestion and excess oil from the pores.
Don’t let this mask-ne get the best of you, your esthetician can help!