If you had hoped 2020 would be your best skin year ever, you probably hadn’t been prepared for ‘maskne’—a condition where surgical or reusable mask causes acne.
Since the outbreak of Covid 19, surgical masks and reusable masks have become a critical part of our daily lives. Unfortunately, an extended usage of surgical masks can also trigger an onslaught of pimples due to increased humidity clogging pores.
This is especially the case in Singapore, where the humidity levels are already incredibly high. So, what are the beauty-conscious Koreans doing to jump this hurdle and maintain their precious glass skin? Here are just a few of the best practices to keep your skin spot-free.
Every time you wear your surgical mask for a prolonged period, you risk sebum build-up. So you might want to wash your face more often than usual. Treat this like a post-workout face wash—you don’t want to be too thorough and risk drying out your skin from overwashing, but you also need to clean the grime. Using a milder cleanser then your usual evening routine will be the best option for maintaining the optimal pH balance. However, if your skin is sensitive, you might want to stick to washing only two times a day.
Dirt buildup is the main culprit here so we recommend swapping out your face masks as often as possible. Opting for paper masks or changing out filters is the best way to ensure mask hygiene. If you use reusable masks, ensure that you wash them properly to get rid of all bacteria and makeup or products that has been transferred to the cloth.
Even non-comedogenic makeup can’t compete with no makeup when it comes to preventing acne. The mixture of grime and cosmetics is a surefire way for pimples to form so do yourself a favour (and save some time) by going makeup-free. If you can’t bear the thought of venturing out without some level of foundation, try lighter options.
Koreans love pimple patches. Walkthrough any subway station and you will see a good handful of people donning stickers on their faces. When you’re worried about clogging pores and you’ve already got a few pimples in tow, prevent further inflammation by covering them up with pimple patches. When active pimples rub up against sweaty masks, it’s the perfect formula for aggravation, and pimple patches can prevent that.
We recommend: Mentholatum Acnes’ Anti-Bacterial Acne Patch, $7.80 (26 patches)
Mentholatum Acnes’ Anti-Bacterial Acne Patch has been clinically tested to effectively inhibit acne bacteria growth in 24 hours. The breathable film also acts as a protective barrier that blocks out bacteria and dirt, perfect for the mask-wearing routine that we’ve all adapted to. All the while speeding up pimple recovery and keeping the skin at its optimal moisture. The 0.02cm patch is ultra-thin to camouflage the appearance of pimples and blend seamlessly into the skin – just in case you do need to take off your mask from time to time.
If you have acne-prone skin, turmeric, niacinamide, and azelaic acid and their anti-inflammatory sisters should become key components of your daily and nightly skincare regimen as they soothe your skin when it is exposed to the increased heat trapped in your mask.
We recommend: RE:ERTH Blemish Control, $80 (30 ml)
The homegrown brand, RE:ERTH, uses Japanese white turmeric and spring turmeric as the basis of all their formulas. Their Blemish Control treatment has been clinically tested and its non-comedogenic and non-drying formula helps target acne (and even pores) on the face or other break out areas. This lightweight gel helps to tackle the root cause of infections in blemishes and actively reduces blemishes without drying the skin out.
Everyone knows sweat lingering on the skin is as uncomfortable as it sounds, so be practical and keep cool outside, whether you decide to carry a portable fan or have a cooling facial mist in your bag.
We recommend: The Body Shop Vitamin E Gel-Mist, $21 (57 ml)
This face mist is a hydration wonder with a transformative gel-to-mist texture that is skin-cooling, and fast-absorbing. 100 per cent vegan, alcohol and oil-free, this gel mist is ultralight on the skin and works perfectly as a boost of hydration when you’re on the go. Enriched with raspberry extract and an active ingredient that helps regulate water retention and keep the skin hydrated up to 48 hours, this handy face mist is sure to be a necessity whenever you’re heading out. Just make sure the mist is fully absorbed into the skin before putting your mask back on!
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Text: Kelly Im/Cleo, Additional reporting: Farisia Thang
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