Maskne Treatment: 6 Steps to Healing Chin Breakouts from Masks

All I can say is...wow. It’s been quite a year, hasn’t it? Here at The Portland Girl, we’ve been hard at work adjusting to this new way of living and serving our clients, and it’s been quite a change!

But I wanted to talk about another unwelcome change that many of us are scrambling to get on top of: chin breakouts from constantly wearing masks, AKA maskne.

With most of us wearing masks frequently and many of us wearing them almost constantly at work, chin breakouts are on the rise. (At least they’re covered most of the time, right?)

This is a small issue compared to the other problems we’re facing at the moment, but it’s also very solvable. And, let’s face it, skin issues can have a massive impact on how you feel about yourself, which is the LAST thing you need right now. Here are my tips for keeping maskne under control, preventing future breakouts, and treating maskne you may already have.

Tip #1: Change your mask frequently

Like, at least once a day.I know it’s gross, but masks get dirty. Dead skin, facial oils, makeup, and bacteria gets pressed into the fabric and then back onto your face when you wear it. Unsurprisingly, all this gunk finds its way into your pores and causes breakouts.

Switching out your mask frequently can prevent a lot of this stuff from winding up on your face, so it’s by far the most effective way of preventing maskne.

I suggest investing in several masks and using a different one each day. Wash the masks before you reuse them. (You can also use disposable masks, but reusable ones may be a more environmentally-friendly option.) You’ve probably heard this recommendation simply for effectiveness, but it’s good advice for your skin as well.

Tip #2: Don’t wear your mask unnecessarily

Let me be perfectly clear: wear your mask. If you are going to be in a public place or otherwise around people you don’t live with, please, please wear your mask. Follow all mask recommendations and guidelines for your area.But if you are wearing your mask when you don’t need to like in your car on your way to work or between errands, you might want to let your skin breathe during those times.

Tip #3: Use a good cleanser morning and night

Now more than ever, it’s imperative to keep your skin clean. Wash your face with a high-quality cleanser in the morning before you put your mask on so you’re starting with a clean face, then wash again at night to remove all the nasty buildup from the mask.

I recommend our Lady Grey Cleansing Elixir or Greentea Goddess Cream Cleanser to start your AM and PM skincare routine. Keep those pores clean, girl!

Tip #4: Exfoliate!

Dead skin cells that hang out on your face and clog pores are one of the usual suspects when it comes to breakouts, but especially now when those skin cells are held against your face by masks!To reduce the amount of dead cells that wind up in your mask (and your pores) is to exfoliate twice per week with a gentle chemical or physical exfoliant. Read our full post on exfoliation here: Should I Use Exfoliating Products?

‍Try our Pumpkin Purity exfoliating mask or Brightening Bead Face Scrub to exfoliate and give your skin a healthy glow.

Tip #5: Try a face oil

This one might seem a little counterintuitive, but hear me out. Another side effect of constantly wearing a mask is skin irritation because you’ve got fabric rubbing against your skin all day long. This irritation can cause rashes, redness, and (you guessed it) breakouts.Wearing a quality facial oil over your moisture cream can help reduce some of this friction and keep your skin soft. For this, try our Oracle Face Oil to keep the maskne and rashes at bay.

Tip #6: Get a good spot treatment

Sometimes all the prevention in the world isn’t enough and you get a few pimples. No worries! A good spot treatment can help you with the breakouts that do make it through your defenses.Try using our Blemish Beatdown Serum in the morning and evening as part of your regular skincare routine to heal existing blemishes and prevent new ones from forming.

We Will Get Through This

These are extremely challenging times and honestly, maskne is the least of our worries. But if this can help you feel better about yourself and bring a little more self-care into your life, I know I’ve done my job!I hope these tips make your life even just a little easier during these unprecedented times. Keep wearing your mask, be kind to others, and stay safe!