Nowadays it is almost impossible to go out on the street without spotting them:mouth caps. Due to the corona virus, we are suddenly wearing our mouth caps en masse to protect ourselves and the people around us. Very handy of course, is it really that good for your skin? For example, can wearing a face mask aggravate or even cause acne?
Unfortunately, we don't have good news for you:wearing a face mask can indeed make your acne worse or even cause you to suffer from acne or other skin irritations. A new term has already been coined for it:maskne. Maskne means 'mask acne'. You can get masks when sweat, oil and bacteria collect on your skin and cannot get out through the mask. These wastes, because they are, can cause pimples, blackheads and other irritations, such as eczema. You can recognize maskne by small white pimples, redness, bumps and/or irritation around your mouth.
Read also :'How do you clean your cloth face mask again?'
How is it possible that you can get acne faster thanks to your mouth cap? In addition to the bacteria and other contaminants that can accumulate under your mask, you naturally also breathe in and out under the mask. As a result, you ensure tropical temperatures under your mask, so that bacteria grow faster. The type of mouth cap you wear can also ensure that you get masks faster. A cotton or paper mask removes moisture from your skin and often has a somewhat rough structure. As a result, it constantly rubs against your skin, which can cause minor skin damage and irritations, making it easier for bacteria to penetrate your skin. This is also known as acne mechanics. Finally, you can get maskne if you don't wash your mouth cap daily. This is because a lot of waste products remain in your mouth cap, which you wear again the next day and transfer them to your skin.
The big question now is of course:what exactly can you do to prevent maskne? We have three concrete tips for you that can help you prevent acne from getting worse or worse.
1. Wear a different face mask
A cotton or paper mask can damage your skin, so it is better to choose a different type of mask. Consider, for example, a silk face mask:silk is a natural antimicrobial fiber that does not clog your pores, but helps to hydrate your skin. It also helps against wrinkles, so you can also sleep best on a silk pillowcase. Because it does not close your pores, you sweat less quickly and therefore maskne is less likely to develop. Do you have to wear a medical mask for work? Then you can also consider wearing a silk one underneath to protect your skin.
2. Take good care of your skin
Good skin care is an absolute must if you are struggling with acne. By removing your dead skin cells, the sebum in your skin cannot accumulate and inflammation will develop less quickly. Always choose products without perfume, parabens and alcohol for your skin care, because this can irritate your skin. Clean your face well in the morning and in the evening with the right skin cleansers and care for your skin afterwards with a serum and a day/night cream. Just washing with water is not enough:thanks to the greasy protective layer of your skin, the water runs off easily and the dirt simply remains on your skin. Do you want to know which skin care works best for you? Then check with the dermatologist or pharmacy.
3. Wash your mouth cap daily
It is not only important to take good care of your skin, your mouth cap also needs the right 'care'. Especially if you wear fabric mouth caps, it is good to wash your mouth cap every day or replace it with a clean one. Not only does that make sure you don't suffer from acne as quickly, it also helps protect you well against bacteria and viruses from outside.
