The rise of maskne

With the term ‘maskne’ becoming an increasingly common search online and on social media, Krystal Prince explains what it is and how you can control mask-induced acne

- KRYSTAL PRINCE

Masks and face coverings are now mandatory to wear in most public places and quite often need to be worn for long periods of time, so it is no surprise our skin is suffering underneath them. The condition can leave you with breakouts, spots, redness or chafing around the mouth, chin and jaw line.

To control this rising skin complaint, it’s good to understand why and how the masks are disturbing the skin. Firstly, constant or regular friction will cause the skin to become weak and could impair your skin’s barrier function causing loss of cellular water and resulting in skin dehydration. In extreme cases sores and abrasions from chafing where the masks sit could be highly uncomfortable and can allow bacteria into the skin.