Although it protects us from the viruses around us, wearing a mask repeatedly can have catastrophic effects on our skin. This inconvenience has a name: maskne (mask and acne). So how do you get back to beautiful skin despite wearing a mask? We share our top tips with you.

Covid 19 has turned many habits upside down. Impacted both physically and psychologically, wearing a mask 24/7 has also had its consequences on our beauty routine. A small inconvenience compared to the disastrous consequences of the virus worldwide, but one that's still worth treating. If only to feel a little better about the whole thing. Many women (and some men) have been complaining since the introduction of the H24 mask requirement in enclosed spaces (and sometimes even outdoors), about the appearance of problem skin they didn't have before. It's enough to titillate the spirits of those who had managed to get rid of that damn blemished skin after their high school years... Fortunately, there's no need to panic (too much), as there's always a solution for every problem. 

Why do masks bring out our imperfections?

Mask imperfections are easy to recognize. They obviously appear at the bottom of the face, where the mask is worn all day... These are perfectly normal reactions to the irritation caused by the surgical or fabric mask. It's a problem that was first recognized by caregivers and the medical profession, who have to wear these masks all day in the course of their work. Now it's a matter of public record! So public, in fact, that the phenomenon has even been given its own name: maskné. A logical contraction of the words "mask" and "acne". 

The effects of masks on the skin: 

• increases moisture on the skin's surface 
• increases sebum production
• increases the skin's natural pH 
• increases skin temperature
• causes irritation (skin inflammation)

All these conditions combine to create the ideal breeding ground for bacteria, which can form in complete peace... Skin easily becomes oily and favors the appearance of blackheads, which are linked to bacteria and inevitably create pimples.

Who is most prone to maskne?

Maskne makes no distinction. But it's more likely to attack people already suffering from fragile, oily, acne-prone skin. If this is your case, you'll need to take extra care in your beauty routine and pamper your skin in these difficult times. This also includes an appropriate diet!

• Please note that maskne should not be confused with other skin problems such as eczema, seborrheic dermatitis or folliculitis, which are skin reactions (which can be exacerbated by masks) that require completely different care. To be sure of being correctly diagnosed, do not hesitate to consult a specialist. 

How to treat maskne?

To treat maskne, all you need to do is adopt the right gestures and stick to your daily routine. 

Avoid comedogenic cosmetics 

In general, it's best to choose non-comedogenic cosmetics. Brands are increasingly careful to produce skin-friendly skincare and make-up products. But just in case, it's always best to check that your foundation, cream or other product in question bears the words "non-comedogenic" on the label.

Include hydrosols in your beauty routine 

Purifying your skin is important. Even more so at the moment, with the wearing of masks. Hydrolats (or floral waters) are powerful active ingredients for naturally purified skin! The best for problem skin are witch hazel, geranium, tea-tree, lime blossom, lemon balm and orange blossom. 

• How to use hydrosol? In a spray container, spray the hydrosol over the entire surface of the face morning and evening after washing it. If you don't have a spray container, you can also soak the hydrosol on a makeup remover wipe and dab it over the entire surface of the face, to ensure the lotion is fully absorbed.

Remove make-up with micellar water 

When it comes to make-up removal, micellar water is a friend for problem skin. It provides freshness and, above all, effectively removes excess sebum! It's the make-up remover we recommend for oily skin. When you have oily skin, you tend to overdo the dose and rub the skin a little too much. But beware: oily skin is particularly fragile, so take it easy and soak a make-up remover wipe in micellar water, then gently wipe over the face in circular movements. Without rubbing! 

Opt for a light complexion make-up 

When you like to wear make-up, it's hard to say goodbye to foundation and other brush strokes when you go out! Unfortunately (or fortunately), wearing a mask on a regular basis means that make-up goes by the wayside. Especially if you want to protect your skin as much as possible! Foundation, highlighter and contouring are to be avoided. Instead, opt for a CC cream, a light tinted cream that won't clog pores any more and will allow the skin to breathe a little while awakening the complexion. For a healthy-glow effect, add a touch of blush to the cheeks and finish with a repairing lip balm.

Drink plenty of water for optimal hydration 

It's a tip that shouldn't even be mentioned any more, so much so that it should be part of our daily routine. But it's always worth remembering. Nothing (or almost nothing) can happen to properly moisturized skin! As well as taking good care of it with the right creams and serums, we help our body fight imperfections with regular hydration. 1l of water a day can work wonders.

Wash your hands regularly 

It's a gesture we've inevitably come to adopt on a regular basis (if we didn't before). As well as eliminating any traces of viruses on our handcuffs, washing our hands also reduces the risk of skin infections! We don't always realize it, but our hands regularly come into contact with the skin on our face, which we like to rub unconsciously... So it's important to keep them clean! Wash with soap rather than anti-bacterial gel.

Remove mask as soon as possible 

As soon as you're alone or in a well-ventilated outdoor area, it's a good idea to remove your mask to let your skin breathe. These little intermittent cuts will considerably reduce the risk of skin infections, and therefore of the famous maskne.

Do not touch the buttons 

We avoid it as much as possible. It's not always easy to keep your hands away from your face when you spot an imperfection... And yet, if you don't touch it and make sure you have a good skincare routine, it will eventually go away on its own, without a trace! It's magic.

Wash your mask or change it every 4 hours 

This is an essential point that can easily be overlooked. When wearing a fabric mask, it's important to wash it every night! It's best to change them every day, or even use two during the day, one in the morning and a different one in the afternoon. For surgical masks, we strongly recommend changing every four hours.