Year 2020 often feels less real and more like a movie. From being confined home for weeks to sanitising everything from yourself to the packet of bread brought from the market, from not seeing friends and family for months on end to constant mental reminders of social distancing and hand washing to being surrounded by people in masks, we are still adapting to this new way of living. It is okay to forget your wallet at home but not your mask. Masks play a vital role in reducing the spread of the coronavirus. In fact, people are even fined for not wearing masks in public places.
Masks can, however, be hard on your skin, causing acne, peeling, rashes and itchiness as well as worsening existing skin conditions. As the new normal is here to stay, mask-related skin problems are on the rise.

IT professional Meghna Saha is currently working from home and steps out only once a fortnight. Accompanied by her teenage brother, she crams all her errands — visits to the grocer, pharmacy and bank — into that day. This means wearing a mask for hours. “Every time I wore a mask for a long time, I would develop red spots and painful bumps on my nose and chin. Sometimes they would disappear on their own in a few days but sometimes even an acne cream would not help,” says the 27-year-old resident of north Calcutta. Saha decided to consult a doctor online in August. That is when she discovered she was suffering from “maskne”.

As the name suggests, maskne, (mask+ acne) is a type of breakout. “It is a skin irritation or acne caused by wearing masks for a long duration. Maskne appears as pimples on the face, bridge of the nose, cheeks, jaws and chin,” is the opinion of experts from Practo, an online health platform that connects patients with healthcare providers.

Dr Rashmi Sharma, consultant dermatologist at Fortis Hospital Vasant Kunj in Delhi, explains to The Telegraph, “Maskne happens due to oil, sweat, humidity, moisture and greasiness on the skin, which leads to clogging of pores, open comedones (blackheads), close comedones (whiteheads), papules (bumps) and pustules (blisters). It is a type of acne caused by constant friction.”

While masks are unavoidable, maskne can be prevented. Masks help keep saliva and any other droplets emitted from breathing, talking and coughing from escaping into the air and potentially transmitting the virus. But this means they trap a lot of hot air, creating a warm and humid environment that is the breeding ground for acne. Dr Sharma advises, “On arriving home, remove the mask, wash your hands and cleanse your face with a gentle cleanser. Follow it up by moisturising with products that have ceramides and hyaluronic acid.” Hand washing is necessary not only to prevent a coronavirus infection but also to stop dirt from your hands reaching your face as we unconsciously touch it multiple times. Washing the face at intervals prevents the build-up of bacteria, oil, sweat and other pore-clogging elements.

Dr Sharma also suggests a gentle exfoliator once a week, a toner — preferably alcohol-free — to prevent clogging of pores and hydrocolloid dressings on the nasal bridge, which is a pressure area. The use of gentle cleansers and moisturisers also helps repair and restore your skin, which may be compromised due to friction from masks. “It is important to have an AM and PM moisturising cycle. Using a day cream and a night moisturiser helps strengthen the skin barrier, preventing skin irritation from the mask,” say Practo’s experts.

If you do get maskne, it can be treated. Experts at Practo tell us in an email, “There are several creams that can help reduce skin irritation. Ingredients such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and retinoids are common in over-the-counter and prescription skincare products. These ingredients can be found in both cleansers and moisturisers.” For moderate to severe skin problems, tele-consult a dermatologist.

Saha also made a few adjustments to her skin regime to reduce the recurrence of maskne, “I switched to mild moisturisers, avoided new skincare products that could irritate my skin, skipped wearing make-up under the mask, and constantly kept my face hydrated and hands clean.”

Dr Sharma says it is important to keep the skin make-up-free in such times as make-up products can aggravate acne by clogging the sweat glands. She suggests staying mask-free whenever alone and indoors, which helps the skin breathe.

Finding the right mask is the key. “The mask should have a comfortable fit around your nose and mouth and should be made of breathable fabric,” Dr Sharma says. “The inside should be a combination of cotton and chiffon or cotton and silk, which appear to effectively filter droplets and aerosols, and reduce the incidence of acne and irritation,” she adds.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends cloth masks be cleaned after each use. “Wash your mask between uses with detergent, hot water and sun dry them to kill bacterial elements,” suggests CDC. If you use a disposable mask, replace it as often as possible and allow it to air out between uses.

Choose the right mask to prevent maskne. When we are already tackling multiple problems, nobody wants to deal with an itchy face.