Skincare during the pandemic

Apr 1, 2021 Beauty, Health Facts

Acne by another name

You may have noticed some changes to your skin during the pandemic. It may have been subtle at first, but gotten worse with every day. We are talking about mask acne, or ‘maskne’ to those in the know.

Maskne is properly known as acne mechanica and is different from blemishes as a result of hormones. Maskne is caused by your mask obstructing your skin and causing excess pressure, heat and rubbing, leading to sweat, oil and bacteria being trapped on your skin, creating a breeding ground for breakouts. The increased heat and humidity of the South African summer is another factor that can exacerbate maskne.

As maskne is a result of mask irritation it is especially prevalent on the bridge of your nose, your cheeks and your chin.

What can you do about it?

Luckily, there are a bunch of things you can do to reduce the impact of maskne on your skin health.

Take care of your mask: If you are using a reusable mask, make sure to wash it regularly in warm water, making sure it dries completely. If you are wearing a disposable mask, replace it as often as possible to avoid a build-up of oil and sweat.

Wash your face regularly: Be meticulous about washing your face twice a day, but try stay away from any harsh products, toners or exfoliators that will just cause more skin inflammation.

Apply moisturiser: After washing your face apply a light, oil-free, non-clogging moisturiser to prevent skin dryness.

Finally, a healthy skin is most able to resist damage and inflammation.

Supplement: Diet is important to skin health. Vitamins A and E and zinc play an important role in skin health and maintenance. Vitamin A also reduces inflammation – a component in the development of acne and maskne.

Choose a hair, skin and nail supplement from a reputable brand that has ingredients designed to optimise your skin health. VITAL® Hair, Skin & Nails contains a unique combination of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and hydrolysed collagen to support normal collagen formation and the maintenance of healthy skin, hair and nails.