We love masque, not maskne.

We love masque, not maskne.

Maskne, otherwise known as the annoying breakouts and irritation caused by wearing a face mask, is starting to affect most of us at this point. Many people that were already prone to acne are seeing mare advanced flare ups and those that are blessed with clear skin are even starting to breakout. I’m here to announce... we will struggle no longer! With a few quick and easy tips and better skin care practices we can all avoid the extra stress acne can bring.

Tip number 1:

WASH YOUR DANG MASK. I understand that doing laundry everyday is too much to ask but keeping your mask clean is vital to avoiding maskne. There are so many fashionable masks on the market now that you have no excuse for not having some spare ones laying around. Wear your face mask once then throw that baby in the laundry bin.

Tip number 2:

When washing your mask opt for a fragrance free laundry detergent and never use fabric softener. Fragrances and unnecessary ingredients in these products can cause skin irritation, especially when they are sitting on your face all day long.

Tip number 3:

Try and resist the urge to apply makeup on the lower half of your face. This may feel strange at first but no one can see under your mask anyway, right? So why waste the extra foundation! By applying foundation under your mask your pores are more likely to clog and cause maskne.

Tip number 4:

Spray a toner on the inside of your mask to give you a little extra protection and cleanliness. One toner I would recommend is the Lime Refresh Tonique from Eminence. This toner is perfect for keeping your skin hydrated throughout the day while also regulating oil production. The Lime Refresh Tonique is also loaded with Vitamin C which is great for fighting nasty particles in the air and keeping the skin looking and feeling healthy. (added bonus: this toner smells amazing and that alone is a reason to spray your mask with it!)

Now that we covered some basic tips let's get into the exciting part, skincare. Taking care of your skin has never been more important! Even when not dealing with maskne we could all probably take better care of our skin. At the end of a long day of wearing your mask, make sure to give your skin a nice deep cleanse. I highly recommend double cleansing, starting with a lightweight cleanser that can quickly remove any makeup, dirt and oil that has built up throughout the day. Next go in with a more active cleanser to give your skin a real deep cleanse.

Two cleansers I highly recommend for maskne are Eminence Organics

Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser

Charcoal Exfoliating Gel Cleanser

Both of these cleansers are great for all skin types but will specifically target those maskne causing clogged pores.

At least once a week you want to exfoliate the skin to remove any dead skin buildup. Exfoliating is going to be extra important for the areas covered by a face mask as the dead skin and debri is more likely to get trapped there. The Stone Crop Oxygenating Fizzofoliant by Eminence is perfect for all skin types and is perfect for a deep, yet gentle, exfoliation. The stone crop in this product is going to work magic on any dry areas (which can be caused by wearing a mask) by hydrating and moisturizing the skin while it deeply cleanses to remove any impurities.

Wearing a mask day after day for hours at a time can really dry out the skin and strip it of its natural nutrients, that's why applying a face masque (not the cloth form) is so important! Applying a masque even just once a week can bring so much hydration and nutrients back into the skin as well as fight acne causing bacteria to help avoid maskne.

There are a few different masques that I would recommend to help prevent and fight maskne, the first being the Clear Skin Probiotic Masque by Eminence. This masque is amazing at helping to clear up active breakouts while also preventing new ones from occurring. I would pair this masque with the Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Masque by Eminence to really deliver vitamins and nutrients back into the skin. By pairing these two masques, the appearance of maskne is going to be reduced, the skin is going to be hydrated and feel and appear much fresher. The Acne Advanced Clarifying Masque by Eminence is perfect for more advanced breakouts or for anyone to use as a spot treatment! Pop a little on as a spot treatment under your mask and let it clear up your skin while you're at work.

BONUS: Until Sept 22, Bronzed is having a buy one Eminence Masque, get one HALF OFF!

One of the most important steps in avoiding maskne is to create a barrier for your skin while also keeping it hydrated. Using a serum and moisturizer together is the most effective way to do this, and there are a few different options to choose from. I truly believe you can never have too many serums, but if I had to pick a few to fight against maskne it would be Eminence Organics:

Eight Greens Youth Serum

Clear Skin Willow Bark Booster-Serum

The Eight Greens Youth Serum is loaded with more antioxidants than your favorite green smoothie, making it absolutely amazing at fighting free radicals in the air and any nasties that may cling to your mask. This serum is also perfect for hormonal acne which is a great added bonus because many of us are dealing with a little extra stress thanks to the year 2020, which can lead to additional breakouts.

The Clear Skin Willow Bark Booster- Serum helps heal irritation and breakout prone skin making it a go-to for fighting maskne. This serum is super calming to the skin while still being very effective. Both of these serums can be applied directly to affected areas of the face or mixed in with a moisturizer and applied over the entire face.

Speaking of moisturizers... we can't forget to add one to the list!

Moisturizing the skin has always been

crucial for healthy skin but is even more important now while wearing a face mask regularly.  My go to moisturizer right now is the Lilikoi Mineral Defense Moisturizer SPF 33 because it is essentially a 3-in-1 product! It is loaded with those antioxidants (that I keep talking about) to further protect you from pollutants and environmental stressors while also loading the skin with moisture. This moisturizer has sunscreen built in, making your morning routine a little shorter! It is lightweight, yet thick enough to provide a barrier between you and your mask.

Maskne can be a pain, but you don’t need to deal with it much longer! Follow the steps above, show your skin some extra love and be patient, all will be well (hopefully soon).

Give us a call if you have any skincare concerns or questions 720.984.1472 or email us at info@bronzeddenver.com.  We love hearing from you!

Stay safe, wear your masque!

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