Three years into the pandemic, we can confidently say that mask-wearing is… definitely still far from over. Since 2020, face masks are crucial in helping reduce the spread of COVID-19, so it's understandable that it's here to stay for now. Unfortunately, it has a downside – maskne. So, if it ain't going anywhere either, might as well be informed on how to fight it, and that's what we're here for! Here are three easy ways to help you get rid of or protect you from this notorious beauty dilemma, straight from the early episodes of Garnier’s #DermaDatesWithGarnier Livestream Series!

What is maskne?

To begin this brief explanation, maskne is somewhat a combination of the words mask and acne, and believe it or not, it's been around long before the pandemic and even has a medical term, which is 'acne mechanica.'

Defined as the result of the mechanical friction of fabric against the skin, maskne usually appears when your pores become clogged with dead skin cells, dirt, and oil while wearing a face mask for prolonged and frequent periods. These blocked pores, when combined with sweat, heat, and moisture, create micro bacteria that can irritate your skin or establish the perfect breeding ground for breakouts. Take note, though, that maskne does not exclusively translate to acne. It can refer to breakouts, yes, but it can also mean other skin irritation and dermatological conditions such as rashes, imperfections, and blemishes on the parts of the face that are usually covered by a mask.

This can also be a result of an allergic reaction to the materials used to make the masks of your choice.

What should you do?

While you can't completely prevent acne, there are three simple ways you can take in order to help keep blemishes at bay, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Coreen Sampedro.

1. Build skincare that suits you, but don't overdo it.

The first and most obvious one is to have a proper skincare routine. This should include washing your face at least twice a day, or every time you sweat and every after you go out. Dr. Sampedro also suggests double cleansing with products that contain acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid and micellar water. She, however, clarified that we shouldn't wash our face too often as it may dry out our skin. Yikes! Totoo ngang too much of anything is bad! 

She also reminded the viewers to avoid skincare products containing fragrance, too much alcohol, or preservatives as it can cause irritation and can even make it harder for your skin problems to heal.

Taking this into consideration, dare I say that the Garnier Anti-Acne Cleanser and the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water are seriously a must-have for your anti-acne routine; they can even be your anti-acne holy grail! With the Anti-Acne Cleanser's ability to deeply cleanse pores to remove all the excess dirt and oil from the skin and fight acne bacteria without causing dry skin and the Micellar Cleansing Water being a gentle yet intensely effective hydrating cleanser, siguardong you'll glow amongst the crowd dahil iri-reveal nito ang iyong healthy-looking skin na fresh na fresh!

2. Eat better and healthier

The skin reflects whatever is going on inside the body, so if you want to have healthier skin, iwas iwas muna sa inflammatory food gaya ng simple sugars and carbs and those with a high glycemic index tulad ng potatoes, white rice (hopefully, your Pinoy heart can handle less kanin!), and white bread.

Also, since our skin needs moisture to stay supple that even mild dehydration can cause our skin to look dry and tired, don't forget to drink your water, b*tch!

3. Choose the proper mask and take mask breaks!

Again, face masks are here to stay, at least for now, so be sure to pick the right one that fits you, your daily duties, and your profession or occupation. Choose wisely and maybe pick something along the lines of the following:

• fits snugly but not too tight
• has two or more layers of fabric
• is made of natural, breathable materials
• has a bendable wire at the top to prevent air from leaking through

To further protect your skin from being irritated, try to avoid masks made of synthetic fabrics. Allowing your skin to breathe from time to time is also important, and you can do this by taking a 15-minute mask break every four hours if possible and changing into clean face masks every now and then. Reminder lang, though, na you can't just remove your mask whenever you feel like it. If you plan to get that well-deserved mask break, make sure that you're practicing social distancing and have washed your hands beforehand (no pun intended!). 

And that's three already! I hope you find this helpful. Remember that while wearing masks has been a normal part of our lives, dealing with breakouts doesn't have to be. So, don't slack off and make even the bare minimum to boost your skin health today! If you're struggling with the first one, products from Garnier will surely help you get started.

Curious about Garnier's latest Livestream Series? Catch the first and second episodes on Facebook!