Skip the ‘Maskne,’ Not the Mask

For most people, wearing a face mask is a harmless inconvenience, but wearing the coverings may cause skin problems for some, one dermatologist explains.  The term most used to describe the condition is mask-acne, or “maskne.” Dermatologist Dr. Allison Truong, from Cedars-Sinai Medical Group in Los Angeles, said that she is seeing many patients with this problem.

Patients are complaining of three types of skin issues:

• Acne from clogged pores inside the mask area.
• Skin irritation from the mask.
• Allergic reactions to detergent used to wash a fabric mask or dyes or other substances in surgical masks.

But if your skin is red, burning or itchy, it may be an irritation or allergy. If there are little pustules or blackheads or whiteheads, it’s most likely maskne. Dr. Truong advises using a gentle cleanser when you wash your face and using sunscreen to create a barrier between your skin and the mask. When you take off your mask, wash your face and use moisturizer, she suggested.

Another thing to consider is mask maintenance, or cleanliness.  So many people reuse their masks over and over again.  Not only does this dramatically decrease the effectiveness of the face covering as a barrier to infection, but it makes it a breeding ground for dirt and face oils.  It is really important to wash fabric masks every day. Also, laundry detergents, with fragrances and sometimes harsh cleansing agents, can be a common cause of allergic reactions, so try using fragrance-free detergents.

Dr. Truong advises treating irritated, red, itchy or burning skin with over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream once or twice a day.  She also suggests not wearing makeup under a mask, but if you do, be sure it’s noncomedogenic (specially formulated so as not to cause blocked pores). For severe breakouts or cases of acne, use an over-the-counter cleanser containing glycolic acid, salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. If it doesn’t get better after a week or two, Dr. Truong advises that you see a dermatologist.

Despite possible skin issues, Dr. Truong urges everyone to wear a face mask during the pandemic.  “Every day, there are studies demonstrating the importance of wearing masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” she said via a Cedars-Sinai news release. “If you keep your mask clean, follow daily proper skin hygiene, and use the appropriate products, you should be able to control any skin irritations and acne while continuing to protect yourself and others from the virus.”

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