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If you’ve been experiencing more breakouts since we all started wearing face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, you’re not alone.

In fact, countless people who used to not suffer from consistent acne are finding themselves continually breaking out due to wearing a mask for sometimes hours on end.

woman wearing face mask
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While wearing a mask is essential and very important in stopping the spread of COVID-19, it’s normal to feel bummed about what it’s doing to your face.

But, fear not, because there are a few easy things you can do in order to get your unwanted maskne under control.

Material Matters

Make sure you pay attention to what your face mask is made out of, because that may be what’s causing the breakouts.

Face masks that are made out of cotton or polyester blends may be more gentle on the skin and not lead to irritation. Some people are also turning to silk masks, as those tend to be more breathable.

Wash Your Mask (and Your Face)

As much as material matters, it’s equally as important to make sure to wash your masks regularly. 

In fact, masks should really only be worn once before throwing them in the washing machine (think of them like underwear), because those things get dirty fast.

Likewise, make sure to wash your face! We all understand the importance of washing our faces in normal times, but in order to prevent those pesky zits from popping up, you need to make sure to wash your face the second you get home after wearing a mask. 

Go Easy on the Makeup

Wearing masks has really thrown a wrench in the makeup process, but this might be a great time to ease up on the amount of makeup you’re putting on every day and let your skin breathe.

Keeping your skin fairly clear will prevent pores from getting clogged, which in then will turn into acne. 

Since most people won’t be able to see the bottom half of your face anyway, take this time to go au natural. 

Focus on Skincare

Instead of worrying about makeup, spend a little time getting a good skincare routine in order. 

As we previously mentioned, make sure to wash your face with a gentle cleanser and find a light moisturizer that won’t clog your pores. 

However, don’t go overboard with constant masks, toners, and aggressive face scrubs. The gentler and easier we are on our skin, the better it will respond. 

The bottom line is it might take some time to figure out, but you’ll find a routine that works great!