The global pandemic has transformed our lives in countless ways. Now when we go out to public spaces or are near someone outside of our household, we are required to wear a mask to stop the spread of COVID-19. [1] Scientific research has proven that masks are a pretty effective form of protection. [2] But masks do come with a downside — maskne. [3] What is maskne? Across the media, it’s the term used for acne that stems from frequently wearing a mask. If you’re worried about getting it or currently have an outbreak and don’t know what to do, check out this guide.   No Need to Worry — Maskne Is A Totally Normal Bodily Reaction to Wearing A Mask Let’s face it: though it’s great for public health, wearing a mask can feel a bit unpleasant at times. One of the reasons why is because masks create a really humid environment on your face. [4] In addition to being uncomfortable, this can increase the amount of bacteria on your skin. Our skin already naturally produces oil and we’re covered in dead skin cells. Masks can increase your levels of oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells and subsequently cause acne outbreaks. So, if you have maskne, don’t freak out — this is a normal bodily reaction and there are ways to mitigate this issue and decrease your chance of getting future outbreaks.   Maskne Can Be Prevented and Treated with Practical Tips If you’re experiencing maskne or worried about developing an outbreak, take a look at some practical tips on how to prevent it or treat it.   Use Less Makeup When it comes to wearing makeup and treating maskne, dermatologists generally recommend that you wear less. [5] Since concealer, blush, and foundation can clog pores, it can potentially make a bad problem worse. [6] You don’t have to take a complete break; you can just use a minimal amount of makeup. However, getting makeup stains on your reusable mask can make it unusable so that’s something to also consider. [7]   If You Have Facial Hair, Consider Integrating New Products into Your Skincare Routine Facial hair can cause more moisture and warm air to get entrapped into your mask. [8] But you don’t have to shave off that beard or mustache. Instead, wash your face with a toner that contains alpha hydroxy acid. After you’re done washing your face, remember to dry it off before putting your mask back on so more moisturizer doesn’t get entrapped. [9]    Wash Your Face Frequently and Moisturize  A great way to tackle your maskne outbreak is to change up your skincare routine. During quarantine, it can be tough to put that extra effort into your hygiene. But it’s totally worth it to prevent maskne and boost your self-confidence. Here’s a step-by-step skincare guide:   Frequently wash your face: Remember to wash your face in the morning and right before you go to sleep. You should also [...]