Maskne: How To Not Breakout From Wearing a Mask

How To Not Breakout From Wearing A Mask

Masks!!! Obviously we’re in a time where most of us are wearing masks 24/7. Masks to the store, masks to restaurants, masks while you walk the dog…you get it.

They’re everywhere & while there are some totally cute mask options out there ( obsessed with this white silk one by Romp Boutique ) they also give you maskne.

What’s maskne?

Simply put, it’s when you get acne in the area where your mask is. It is mask related acne, in short, it’s “maskne”.  Doctors & nurses get it all the time, & now so do we.

It’s rampant, it’s on the loose, it’s probably affecting you, & it’s totally affecting me x 20 because my hormones are also going crazy right now. My chin & the whole lower part of my face is a whole fucking mess of a nightmare.

There are 5 things that are helping me deal with, & as you all know I can not share them on the blog.

Oh, & you should know that I’ve spoken directly to Dr. Dennis Gross about this, so these tips will be infused with the expert’s touch, as well as the practitioner’s touch ( aka me ).

How To Get Rid of Maskne:

♡ My weird Swedish clay trick.

First, let’s talk about treating the pimples. Lerosett spot treatment has been in  my makeup bag for years. This stuff was made for maskne, let me tell ya.

Zit clay is essential. It’s nothing avant-garde. Quite simple really. It’s this clay that’s “not regular clay. It infuses minerals that minimize oil production & significantly increase healing times up to 5X’s faster than water based acne products. It contains NO dyes, synthetic or added chemicals. It also clears acne, pimples, rashes, bug bites, itchiness, ingrown hair, blackheads, & much more. Basically it pulls out remaining impurities, preventing potential scarring. Individual pimples will heal and clear up faster with spot treatments.”

This zit clay was recommended by one of my favorite estheticians, Lindsay. It’s from Sweden & has so much praise. Plus it has two flipping ingredients: TWO !!! One of them being WATER. And with no dyes or synthetic additives.

I have used this FOREVER. The stuff works ASAP, immediately. I’ve never seen anything so magical.

Here’s the main secret though: the directions say to leave it on for ten minutes…I leave it on the zit overnight. So I sleep with the clay on the pimple. Works like a charm.

♡  Dr. Dennis Gross Blemish Solution Gel.

Dr. Dennis & I Facetimed & I showed him all the maskne on the bottom of my face. He recommended I try his Blemish Solution Gel.

To be honest, I’ve never had to think that much about acne or products for it. I’ve always focussed so much on hyperpigmentation so this was a new product for me. Let me just say, IT WORKS. Like, especially if you’re having maskne.

Day after day I’ve used this at Dr. Dennis’ recommendation & I LOVE. Here’s what his website says about it:

A fast-acting, all-over acne gel treatment powered by 2% salicylic acid, AHAs, niacinamide, and monk’s pepper to fight acne blemishes, reduce redness, unclog pores, control visible oiliness, and prevent future breakouts. Aloe vera and green tea soothe skin for a clear, balanced complexion.

This complexion clearing formula contains 2% salicylic acid that penetrates deep within pores to dissolve acne causing debris and helps to prevent future breakouts. Monk’s pepper and niacinamide reduce visible oiliness, while niacinamide also refines pores and diminishes the appearance of post acne marks. Green tea and aloe vera soothe skin for a visibly clearer, smoother, and more balanced complexion – free of blemishes. ( via )

Sidenote: Dr. Dennis & I filmed a YouTube video where we talked all about skin- everything from hyperpigmentation, fine lines, youthful skin & undereye bags. It’s not out yet, but stay tuned because it’s coming soon.

♡ silk face masks.

As I mentioned earlier, I’m in love with the Romp Boutique white silk face mask. Also love the black because it won’t show your makeup. They are a little pricier but I truly feel like silk face masks make a big difference in your skin. After I switched from cotton to silk I could really notice it.

I mean, how can it not? We’ve talked about silk eye masks & silk pillowcases, specifically how good they are for your hair & skin, so of course, wearing a face mask is going to be more beneficial than a cotton or cloth mask.

The benefits of silk for your hair & skin:

♡ hypoallergenic, naturally- resistant to the accumulation of mold, dirt, & other allergens that could be playing a role in any skin problems.

♡ smooths the face- you’ll wake up looking fresh instead of having pillowcase/mask marks imprinted on your face.

♡ doesn’t absorb moisture- this prevents bacteria & odor on your pillowcase/mask & also keeps hydration in your skin.

♡ good for your hair- see ya rat’s nest & split ends.

♡ great for any climate- Aspen or Palm Springs, you’ll be good.

♡ silk is natural; it’s spun by silk worms- the fabric contains 18 amino acids ( << which are amaze for your skin ).

♡ looks & feels super elegant & luxurious.

The benefits for masks are obviously the same. More benefits are that they go with every outfit & even add some flair, they look iconic & highlight the eyes.

Seriously, silk is a dream when it comes to beauty & Slip also has amazing products: silk face mask, silk eye mask, silk pillowcase, oh my.

Care for your silk mask by washing your mask.

You will need to use a ph neutral laundry detergent when washing your silk mask.  Machine wash –  delicate settings but it is recommended to hand wash.  Use a fragrance free fabric softeners.  Air dry and  iron low heat.

♡ Opt for no SPF under your mask.

I know, I know, who am I? But Dr. Dennis told me not to worry about wearing sunscreen under a mask. He said the oils in sunscreen can make the maskne worse if you’re also wearing a mask.

Right now I ( actually Dr. Dennis lol ) recommend only putting sunscreen on the top of your face. It’s ok, it’s not forever, my sunscreen psychos. Personally, I have not been wearing sunscreen on the lower part of my face in hopes that this small village of pimples will go away.  This will also prevent other skin issues and skin irritation especially if you have sensitive skin.  Avoid removing your mask especially when you’re outdoors.

It’s also worth mentioning that it might be a good idea to not wear makeup as much as usual, if you can.  Use a  gentle cleanser with benzoyl peroxide to wash your face.  Check your derma for your skin condition because not all skin type is created equal.  I’ve been wearing a lot less makeup because I just really don’t want to fuck things up.

♡ Balance your hormones.

Going to be covering this more on The Skinny Confidential HIM & HER podcast soon, but after I had Zaza I got my hormones balanced. After having the baby I noticed pimples would be so prominent & now that my hormones are balanced it’s way more under control.

Sure, when I have my period it’s still super gnarly, but other than that it’s pretty balanced. If you can, get yourself to a hormone specialist ( not a doctor, they only check very general stuff ). It’s been such a game-changer when it comes to my mood, hormonal breakouts & maskne.

So those are my 5 tips for dealing with mask pimples, aka maskne. I feel like we’re all in the same boat here & it’s just part of the gig. Part of life at this moment in history. It’s just the way it is.

I’d love to know what tips & tricks you guys are doing when it comes to wearing a mask all the time. Let’s roll up our sleeves & explore it more.

In the meantime, be sure to listen to part 1 & part 2 of Dr. Dennis Gross on the podcast. He spills all the juice on anti-aging, skin care myths, & Botox & fillers.

Until next time,

lauryn, x

+ let’s talk about a little bitch called milia.

++ how to organize your skincare products during quarantine.

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