This year marked the beginning of wearing a face mask in public areas, transports, and sometimes even when walking around the city. While we’re loving all of the super cute mask designs out there, unfortunately for a lot of us, wearing a mask has had some consequences for our skin.

Some people have been complaining that wearing face masks developed acne (or ‘maskne’!) in the areas that the mask is touching. If that’s you, don’t worry, we’re here to help!

The good news is that there are some things you can do to help keep your skin clear, helping to limit maskne as much as possible. Take a look at our simple anti-maskne skincare routine to help your skin thrive, even when wearing a face mask.

What Is Causing ‘Maskne’?

First, let’s explain why face masks can be causing you to break out. Wearing a mask can cause more buildup of oil, dead skin, bacteria and dirt. It can also trap humidity from your breathing or sweat, which makes you break out more than usual.

So, the term ‘Maskne’ was coined - it’s now how we call spots and clogged pores caused by wearing a face mask. While it’s important to wear a mask right now, there are things you can do that will help your skin stay clear.

Our 5-Step Maskne Skincare Routine

Step 1: Cleanse

Cleansing is a key part of your skincare routine. A gentle cleanser helps remove impurities from your skin, including dirt and makeup. For really clean skin, you can’t go wrong with double-cleansing! It’s not just a fad for Instagrammers with too much time on their hands - it really can bring some incredible benefits to your skin.

How often should you wash your face? Long before these unprecedented times, we were already recommending cleansing twice a day (morning and evening) for the best results. But now, it’s even more important to be super diligent about your cleansing routine - which is why double-cleansing is a must for maskne prevention.

Help get your skin squeaky clean with the RAWW Cosmetics Remove-ME Micellar Cleansing Water and follow up with the RAWW Cosmetics Purify-ME Gentle Cleanser. Both cleansers use natural ingredients and are gentle on the skin.

Confused about the right cleanser for you? Read our guide to choosing the best cleanser for your skin type. 

Step 2: Exfoliate

Regular exfoliation can help get rid of the build-up of dirt and bacteria that can clog pores - leading to blackheads and spots. Using an exfoliator a couple of times a week will help your skin feel extra clean, especially after wearing a mask. Give the RAWW Cosmetics Polish-ME Face Exfoliator a try. It’s gentle on the skin and will leave your pores extra clean.

Step 3: Moisturise

A light moisturiser is ideal when wearing a mask. The best light moisturiser will help keep skin hydrated, without leaving it greasy or too oily. It will also help as a barrier to dry skin, which can happen after having a mask rub on your face for hours at a time.

Our RAWW Cosmetics Activate Me Moisturiser contains powerful antioxidant ingredients to protect and hydrate for smooth skin that glows with health.

Step 4: Detox With A Face Mask

Using a mask as part of your skincare routine can help give it a deep cleanse while also being an excellent pamper treat. If you’re wondering how to get rid of clogged pores, then using a detoxifying natural mask could be just what you need.

The RAWW Superfood Salad Mask is perfect to detox the skin, formulated with plenty of superfoods to give your skin a real treat. We recommend using it at night as a maskne treatment, whenever you feel like your skin needs a bit of TLC. 

Step 5: Wash Your Re-Usable Masks Regularly

The last step of the routine is simply to replace disposable masks regularly or to wash your re-usable face mask as often as possible. You should always wear a clean face mask to help make sure they stay effective, as well as helping to prevent maskne.

Wash your face mask at the end of each day, and consider carrying multiple masks with you so you can switch to a fresh one every couple of hours.

Some Bonus Tips To Limit Maskne

There are several things you can do to help avoid maskne and keep your skin clear and healthy while wearing a face mask, including:

• Wear minimal makeup or embrace your bare skin! As tempting as it is to wear heavy makeup, foundation and concealer to hide the damage maskne has done to your skin, this will only stress your skin out even more. The healthiest thing you can do to help your skin recover is to limit how much makeup you’re wearing. Instead, focus on nailing your skincare routine - this will be way more beneficial for your skin.
• Choose a breathable face mask made from cotton or a silk face mask. This will give your skin the chance to breathe. The fabric of your face mask will determine how your skin will react to it, and choosing softer fabrics will be more gentle on your skin.

Don’t Let Maskne Get You Down

We highly recommend using products containing natural ingredients, like RAWW’s vegan and organic skincare products. All of our products are vegan and cruelty-free, so treat yourself to some new skincare to help you mask-up worry-free!