Health
BEAUTY
Signs of the Times: Maskne
In my last article submission in March, I stated that I hoped the pandemic would be over by the time the issue was published. So here we are in July and we are still dealing. Some of us have had lots of time to think and do whatever it is that we could never find time for. Mother Earth is really enjoying this break from the daily ravaging demands of her guests. It is simply amazing how so much can change so fast. Since the last time we connected, a brand new word has been added to our vocabulary — “maskne.” Maskne is defined as a type of breakout that results from wearing a face mask. Maskne is 14 | July-August 2020
acne formed in areas due to friction, pressure, stretching, rubbing or occlusion. In order to be most effective the mask should be tight fitting, covering the nose mouth and chin. Yes, that is correct, your nose needs to be covered — no low slinging allowed. Fortunately many of us don a mask temporarily to run into a business, restaurant, etc. But so many others have to wear it all day, and that can be a real problem. Irritation, redness, abrasions, cuts and hyperpigmentation are other problems that are caused by wearing a mask. Combine the moisture in your breath with heat, oil and dirt, and that can be an unpalatable recipe for maskne.
Now that we are constantly covering our skin we need to be more diligent than ever about our skin care routine. • Cleanse morning and night with a mild cleanser. If you are acne prone, use a cleanser with salicylic acid to keep sebum in check. • Always use a toner to restore natural pH balance to skin. You can carry cotton pads saturated with toner or witch hazel in a ziplock bag to cleanse and freshen the skin at times when you remove the mask. Facial wipes with natural bases work well also. • I would not advise a face full of makeup if you can get by without it. Eye aawmag.com
