Coronavirus: What is Maskne and How to Deal With It?

Among the concerns that the coronavirus has brought with it, skin care is one of them. This is the case of “Maskne”, a fusion of the words mask and acne, why is this?

Wearing the mask for an extended period of time increases the humidity and temperature of the face due to lack of air circulation. Because of this, it is easy for bacteria to appear in the covered area, which, added to sweat, makeup and saliva, mix and cause breakouts or other skin problems.

People more prone to acne may have swollen cystic pimples, white pustules or the appearance of blackheads. Additionally, the combination of stress generated by the pandemic can also damage the skin.

Dr. Amy Spizuoco is a dermatologist with more than 8 years of experience in her field and Vice President of the American College of Dermatology Osteopathy. During an interview with the American television network Localish, Dr. Spizuoco spoke about this condition and how it can be controlled.

"There is simply not a good air flow system that goes through the skin so the pores get clogged" says Dr. Spizuoco.

Additionally, she explains that the generation of fungi and possible viruses in these areas of the face due to the use of the mask is due to the fact that the nasal mucosa and the fat naturally generated by the face mix.

However, the dermatologist assures that the solution to this problem is quite easy and only a few adjustments to the normal skin care routine are needed.

"The main thing is to keep the skin barrier intact and not allow it to break down," recommends Dr. Spizuoco.

If you don't have a skincare routine yet, these are the steps you should follow according to the New York dermatologist.

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First of all, she recommends keeping your face clean, washing your face at least twice a day: in the morning and at night. To do this, she recommends using a fragrance-free facial cleanser to balance the skin's pH levels. This can also be done with the help of an alcohol-free facial toner so that it doesn't dry out the skin.

The next tip is to use exfoliating either cream or mask. This, in order to remove dead cells from the broken. Regarding the type, it is recommended to use the one that is most appropriate for each skin type.

Another very important step is to incorporate facial masks or ampoules with vitamin C into your skin care routine, as it is a very powerful antioxidant that can help combat all the impurities accumulated on the face throughout the day.

The final and most important advice is hydration, for this it is important that the moisturizer is fat-free. Finally, the sunscreen is applied, regardless of the season of the year, dermatologists recommend applying it daily to ensure maximum protection.

The dermatologist assures that, by incorporating these steps into the facial routine, in a short time the difference will be noticed. These recommendations can not only help anyone who has an outbreak of acne due to the use of the surgical mask but also those who do not already suffer from this condition. Finally, Dr. Spizuoco emphasizes that a balanced diet, drinking enough water, and exercising contribute to healthier skin and a healthier life.