How to Prevent Maskne for Men

If you wear a mask all day, chances are you’re going to develop some acne blemishes as a result. Thus the term “maskne” (or "mascne"). This isn’t shocking to dermatologists and skincare experts. But if you don’t know much about how acne occurs, you won’t be able to properly address and prevent it.

The pores on your face function much like pipes. If they get clogged by dirt, bacteria, oil, and other daily buildup, the result can be an acne blemish.

Since wearing a mask increases inflammation and traps both dirt and oil on your face, it’s no wonder wearing one puts you at a higher risk of developing acne. But instead of getting mad at the mask, learn to adapt to these unique times with a maskne prevention routine for men.

Before getting on to how to prevent maskne, it's worth giving our subject matter an actual definition by answering the obvious question - what is maskne, anyway?

On a basic level, mask acne is a type of mechanical acne, meaning it is caused by physical heat and friction on the skin. It quickly gained the nickname 'COVID acne' in March 2020, as the need to wear masks in public spaces made it much easier for everyday people to develop the papules (red bumps), nodules (large and tender red bumps), pustules (red bumps with a white head), cysts, and comedones that were once limited to PPE-intensive industries like healthcare and construction. The truth is that anyone can develop maskne, regardless of where they work or how prone their skin is to breakouts. The only two ingredients it needs to start are prolonged friction and sweat.

 

How to Get Rid of Maskne

Cleansing

With the basics out of the way, it's time to answer that burning question everyone wants the answer to. This section will explain how to get rid of maskne in a number of ways, as well as suggest some maskne products that will help you mitigate the impacts of face mask acne on your life and confidence levels.

 

Acne Controlling Face Wash for Men

Mascne is tough. But do you know what's even tougher? Brickell's Acne Controlling Face Wash for Men. Leveraging salicylic acid, it reaches deep inside pores to cleanse the skin of harmful bacteria, clearing up mask-induced blemishes and breakouts in the process.

 

Renewing Face Scrub for Men

With prolonged mask-wearing comes the need to take extra special care of your facial skin. Use our Renewing Face Scrub for Men to clear out oil, dead tissue, and other impurities that may contribute to mascne.

 

Clarifying Gel Face Wash for Men

We created Clarifying Gel Face Wash for Men with the goal of delivering deep-cleaning effects without the drying often associated with other cleansing products. And that's exactly what it does - packing a powerful bacteria-destroying punch that will have your acne gone for good.

 

Purifying Charcoal Face Wash for Men

Charcoal is a powerful substance, honing the capacity to thoroughly clear skin while remaining gentle. Combined with a range of other natural ingredients in Purifying Charcoal Face Wash for Men, it's a must-have for mascne prevention.

 

Moisturizing

When shopping the market for maskne products, you'll want to prioritize moisture just as much as anything else. Effective maskne treatments go beyond deep cleansing to promote lasting hydration and protect the skin's natural barrier. Read our list of top solutions to try below.

 

Acne Controlling Face Moisturizer Treatment for Men

Want to know how to prevent maskne like a pro? Acne Controlling Face Moisturizer Treatment for Men is specifically designed with mascne prevention in mind. It soothes, nourishes, and helps reduce oil buildup to keep skin looking clear.

 

Daily Essential Face Moisturizer for Men

Preventing a mask rash starts with proper hydration. Daily Essential Face Moisturizer for Men is a lightweight, non-greasy cream that helps replenish and balance skin's moisture levels all day long.

 

Acne Controlling System for Men

Struggling with maskne that won't go away? Brickell's Acne Controlling System for Men may be able to help. Its hydrating ingredients work overtime to target spot blemishes, heal scars, and reduce the appearance of breakouts.

 

Rejuvenating Anti-Aging Gel Moisturizer for Men

Rejuvenating Anti-Aging Gel Moisturizer for Men is a powerful hydrator that helps reduce signs of aging. It's a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula that helps protect skin from environmental pollutants while helping reduce redness, inflammation, and irritation -- all of which can be caused by wearing a mask.

 

Hyaluronic Acid Booster for Men

Mascne is no match for our ultra-hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Booster for Men. This booster deeply moisturizes the skin and protects it against dryness, environmental stressors, and inflammation.

 

Serums and Spot Treatments

Acne Controlling Spot Treatment for Men

Our Acne Controlling Spot Treatment for Men eliminates blemishes with 2% Salicylic Acid and a host of other natural acne-fighting ingredients. One of the greatest mascne products you can own!

 

Purifying Charcoal Face Mask for Men

The Purifying Charcoal Face Mask for Men works to thoroughly unclog pores and minimize facial impurities. Enjoy its skin-enriching effects and kick acne from face mask usage to the curb in one swoop!

 

Smooth Finish Glycolic Acid Peel for Men

Brickell's Smooth Finish Glycolic Acid Peel for Men is designed to remove dead skin cells, clear the pores of unwanted dirt, and brighten your overall complexion. It's an extremely effective maskne treatment - not to mention great for those who are already prone to breakouts.

 

Smooth Finish Glycolic Acid Serum for Men

This AHA acid serum exfoliates and rejuvenates the skin by removing old, dead skin cells that weigh it down. Smooth Finish Glycolic Acid Serum for Men can be a very helpful product to have in your arsenal against acne of all kinds.

Day and Night Serum Routine

Our Day and Night Serum Routine delivers anti-aging benefits through a combination of natural extracts and proven ingredients. During the day, this serum helps to brighten your complexion and protect it from environmental aggressors. At night, it hydrates and nourishes the skin while you sleep so that you wake up looking refreshed each morning!

 

Reviving Day Serum for Men

For those days when you need an extra boost of hydration, our Reviving Day Serum for Men is there to help. Formulated with natural plant extracts and Hyaluronic Acid, this product will nourish skin cells and lock in moisture for hours. It’s one of our most popular mascne treatments by far.

 

Incorporate Anti-Maskne Products Into Your Everyday Routine

Adjust your skincare routine to better fit your needs if you’re now wearing a face mask all day long. Here’s an example of some simple routines that take less than 5 minutes to complete - but can make all the difference in your covid acne struggles.

 

Men's Daily Essential Face Care Routine I

The first of our essential anti-maskne products is Men's Daily Essential Face Care Routine I. It's packed full of various serums and creams that can easily double as maskne treatments when applied regularly. Adopt the regimen and keep your skin clean, smooth, and hydrated long-term!

Men's Daily Essential Face Care Routine II

If you're really looking to prevent maskne and keep it at bay, try Men's Daily Essential Face Care Routine II. For oily to normal skin types, this suite of products will help to lock in moisture and combat sebum production.

 

Men's Daily Face Cleanse Routine for Oily Skin

Cleanse, tone, and hydrate your skin to minimize pores and support a shine-free complexion with this daily three-step routine. Our Men's Daily Face Cleanse Routine for Oily Skin is the best maskne help you can get as someone with naturally oily skin.

 

Men's Daily Elite Face Care Routine II

Men's Daily Elite Face Care Routine II is the perfect mascne solution for those with oily to normal skin. This sophisticated yet easy-to-follow routine consists of five products that cleanse, balance, exfoliate, moisturize and protect tissues for optimal health.

 

Men's Daily Advanced Face Care Routine II

Dry or sensitive skin? Look no further than Men's Daily Advanced Face Care Routine II! This three-step routine cleanses, brightens, and nourishes skin with the perfect balance of natural ingredients.

Other Healthy Habits for Avoiding Mask Acne

Use a Clean, Natural Fiber Fabric Face Mask

When asked, "do masks cause acne?," we always tell people the answer is yes and no.

If you use a fabric face mask, make sure it’s one made of natural fibers. They are less irritating to your skin and as a result do not cause as much inflammation. Look for covid face masks for acne-prone skin made with performance fabrics and moisture wicking materials like those you’d find in fitness apparel.

Perhaps the biggest contributor to maskne is just plain laziness. Do not reuse your mask day in and day out without washing it. That’s a recipe for disaster when it comes to face mask acne.

As you go about your day, your mask will accumulate dirt, sweat, oil, and other debris. Wearing that day after day builds up even more junk - all of which can aggravate your skin and clog your pores.

Make it an obligatory habit to wash your face masks on a regular basis. Don’t be lazy. Don’t skimp on this. Wash those masks! If you only wear a mask for a brief period, you may be able to rewear it once or twice. But all day use means it has to be washed.

A quick note on how to wash your mask: the ideal method for washing all depends on the type of mask you have and how it was made. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations and stick to those.

You may be able to toss your masks in the washing machine, no problem. But others need to be hand washed. The detergent you use also matters. To prevent irritation and possible acne flare ups, choose fragrance-free detergent that does not contain any dyes or other potential irritants.

If your surgical mask is causing acne, consider ways you can minimize the damage. Using masks frequently can lead to skin irritation, so any additional steps you can take to protect your skin are beneficial.

 

Practice Grooming and Healthy Hygiene

The connection between COVID and acne is clear - PPE masks can heat the skin and contribute to changes in its natural pH levels. Left unchecked, this encourages bacterial and yeast overgrowth, irritation, clogged pores, and an increase in mascne breakouts.

Shaving is a great mitigatory solution to mask rash. By shaving your facial hair regularly, you can reduce the friction between your skin and mask, and thus chances of developing mask acne. Try our Beard Oil to manage razor burn and irritation.

 

Bring a Toner

Toner is an asset when trying to prevent maskne, as it reduces the oil behind breakouts and catches any dirt left behind after washing the face. It is also an important step before applying moisturizers or serums as it helps them to be better absorbed by the skin. Take a break from your mask and use our Balancing Toner for Men to control breakouts with naturally antiseptic and anti-inflammatory ingredients.

 

Add Extra Protection for Your Skin

Maskne prevention goes beyond the issue of PPE - there are other factors at play, as well. Sun is one of the biggest culprits for skin irritation, so it’s important to invest in a good daily SPF moisturizer. Our Daily Defense Face Moisturizer with SPF 20 for Men is an effective and lightweight formula that nourishes, deeply hydrates, and provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection.

 

When to Visit a Dermatologist

While Googling 'what does maskne look like' and 'how to prevent mask acne' are a good way to start taking initiative on your skin health, there may be a point where online maskne tips don't cut it. This is likely to be the case for those with preexisting conditions like contact dermatitis, Atopic eczema, or Folliculitis. In these cases it’s important to visit a dermatologist for an even more personalized skin care plan and possibly medication.

Tying it all Together

Acne from mask-wearing is a frustrating, but completely defeatable problem. All you need to keep your skin clear and confidence high is some good judgment, and of course, some well-informed maskne tips.

In this article, we've been over everything you need to know about mask acne - what it is, why it occurs, and how to prevent mask acne for yourself. Armed with this information, you're now ready to put your best face forward in a world of airborne particles.