Ways to Fight Maskne for Men

Prolonged wear of surgical masks can be uncomfortable and can cause acne. Here are tips to prevent getting ‘maskne.’

Men generally have oilier skin than women because they have larger pores, and their sebum or oil production is doubled than that of women. As a result, they are more prone to getting skin irritation on their face. And as they wear surgical masks for long periods, the chance of getting acne gets higher.

Mask acne or ‘maskne’ results from prolonged mask-wearing, and its symptoms include red, pimple-like bumps and chafing. Moisture builds up inside the mask due to breathing and sweating, which then increases the humidity inside. The result makes it is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, and when left untreated, maskne can lead to more acne and a breakdown in the skin barrier.

Thankfully, there are ways to treat maskne and prevent it from coming back. 

HOW TO TREAT MEN’S MASKNE

Wash your face with a good cleanser regularly.

Good cleansers with powerful natural ingredients can effectively cleanse and clear the face and prevent the clogging of pores. The Donginbi Red Ginseng Homme Power Moisturizing Foam is a face foam specially formulated for men’s skin. It contains Korean red ginseng, soapberry extracts, and natural soap bark that create a foaming lather that removes skin impurities. This face cleanser also contains ginkgo biloba that has antibacterial properties and provides free-radical neutralizing antioxidants that increase moisture retention and reduce roughness.

Make sure to wash your face regularly or as many times as needed -- before heading out, after wearing a mask, after sweating, and before hitting the sack.

Moisturize after washing.

Moisturizing the face shouldn’t just be a routine for women. Men should also make time to moisturize the skin to keep it hydrated. The Donginbi Red Ginseng Homme Power Moisture Balancing Emulsion contains red ginseng oil and red ginseng extract, which help the skin replenish moisture and get intense hydration for healthy-looking skin. This moisturizer for men also contains Vitamin B3 and B5 that help brighten the skin, and Beta-Glucan and Motherwort extract that both provide hydrating benefits.

HOW TO PREVENT MEN’S MASKNE

Once your maskne has healed, make sure to take preventive measures. Here are some tips that prevent maskne from coming back:

Apply topical antibiotic cream on areas where maskne may develop.

Applying antibiotic cream on the skin before putting your mask on prevents bacteria from building up, according to dermatologists. The cream or gel will also act as a shield against your mask, which will prevent chafing. 

Toss away disposable masks after using them.

Don’t hesitate about throwing away your disposable masks after use, especially when you sweat into them profusely. So make it a habit to bring several disposable face masks when going outdoors in case the one you are wearing needs to be replaced. 

Wash your reusable masks after using them.

If you are a fabric mask user, wash them with antibacterial detergent every after use. It’s also important to dry the masks completely, preferably under the sun, to ensure all bacteria and viruses are gone.

Remove your fabric or disposable mask every four hours.

The American Academy of Dermatology Association advises removing your mask for 15 minutes every four hours to give the skin on your face a break. However, make sure to wash your hands before and after removing, and practice social distancing once you have no mask on.

Wash your face after removing the mask. 

At the end of the day, wash your face after wearing your mask. Use a good cleanser and make sure to moisturize after. Cleansing helps prevent the clogging of pores, usually resulting from sweating a lot during the day and being exposed to environmental impurities.