AUGUST 20, 2020

“It’s hard to ignore that wearing a mask comes with some side effects, one of which you may be experiencing yourself: acne. Complaints about pimples, blackheads, rashes, and other skin issues have reached a fever pitch and much of it could be connected to wearing a mask, according to the American Academy of Dermatology,” writes Garrett Munce in Esquire.

While maskne is currently a frustrating phenomenon for millions around the globe, there is a simple and effective solution to help combat these breakouts. Glycolic acid, the workhorse chemical exfoliant, can help prevent clogged pores, tame blemishes, and reduce the chances of future breakouts.

As the global pandemic continues, and consumers continue to wear face masks to protect themselves from the spread of the novel coronavirus, complaints about maskne, or “mask” + “acne,” are also skyrocketing.

Dermatologists and skincare experts point to three key drivers behind the thoroughly modern phenomenon of maskne.

The key cause of maskne is a result of the friction of the face mask rubbing against the skin. Also known as acne mechanica, this type of irritation and subsequent breakouts are common amongst athletes required to wear protective gear, like helmets or chin guards. 

“Maskne is acne formed in areas due to friction, pressure, stretching, rubbing or occlusion, commonly due to the sweat, heat, and friction,” Nazanin Saedi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Thomas Jefferson University, told Health. 

Additionally, maskne is caused by an increased likelihood of clogged pores. Breakouts occur when pores become clogged with dead skin cells, oil, dirt, makeup, or bacteria. Masks can inadvertently trap dead skin cells on the skin, and when those cells mix with sebum, pores are likely to become clogged. The unfortunate end result? Blackheads, whiteheads, and other blemishes, all on the areas of skin protected by a face mask.

Finally, the naturally humid environment a mask creates on the face is also one more reason for the surging consumer complaints about maskne. 

“We think that wearing these masks, combined with stress from the pandemic, is causing an increased moisture-rich environment for bacteria and organisms to proliferate,” Dr. Seemal Desai, assistant professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center told CNN, “We’re seeing lots of flares of acne, especially a type called perioral dermatitis, which tends to happen typically around the mouth and in the areas around the nose.”

Despite the frustration and embarrassment maskne is causing worldwide, consumers can continue to stay safe and prevent breakouts with regular usage of gentle chemical exfoliant, glycolic acid.

Glycolic acid is a top choice for defending the skin against maskne, because glycolic acid is highly efficient at reducing the chance of clogged pores.

As the smallest, lightest molecule in the Alpha Hydroxy Acid family, glycolic acid is best able to penetrate the skin cell wall and quickly shed off built-up layers of dead skin cells, excess sebum, dirt, makeup, and bacteria. By dissolving the bonds that bind these pore-clogging pollutants together, glycolic acid can quickly remove any debris accumulated on the skin under a mask. This decreases the likelihood of dead skin cells or bacteria mixing with sebum and forming a blemish, and ultimately can help prevent breakouts.

Additionally, glycolic acid can help work to prevent future maskne breakouts, thanks to its ability to drive new cells to the surface of the skin. New skin cells are more likely to retain healthy hydration and moisture levels, which helps to prevent irritation, redness, and friction-based rubbing on the skin.

Facial coverings look to be the new normal, but consumers do not need to suffer from increased chances of acne and breakouts in order to protect themselves. Instead, regular chemical exfoliation with glycolic acid based skincare products can help shed off dead skin cells, keep pores clear, and combat breakouts gently and effectively, for all skin types.