Maskne treatment tips to protect your sensitive skin during the pandemic.

‘Maskne’ (or mask acne) is no longer a new term. With almost two and a half years passing since the COVID-19 pandemic first broke out, countless skincare brands offer collections that specifically target maskne treatment concerns.

But these days, more and more countries are making mask-wearing optional. Especially for people struggling with sensitive skin, perhaps this comes as exciting news. The friction and moisture imbalance caused by masks has undoubtedly led to increased acne concerns that we didn’t have to worry about before. By significantly reducing the time we wear masks, our skin will be less prone to pimples or irritations.

However, in reality, it’s not as simple as that. Not to mention, one wrong step in post-pandemic skincare and it can actually worsen your skin condition.

Here, we will guide you through 3 easy skincare tips for maskne treatment. As we await the days when we’re finally free from COVID-19, what’s better than having better post-pandemic skin than you did before?

Table of Contents 1. Skincare after COVID-19 1-1. Remove your mask whenever possible 1-2. Immediately moisturize your face after removing your mask 1-3. Always carry sunscreen 2. Cautionary points for skincare after COVID-19 2-1. Before moisturizing, wipe away excess moisture  2-2. When moisturizing, be sure to replenish both moisture and oil 2-3. Use waterproof and SPF 20 sunscreens

1. Skincare after COVID-19

Whatever skincare routine you had before the pandemic, it’s not enough to treat your maskne. Our skin faces more damage than it ever did before, and it’s important to take the right measures to treat your pandemic-weakened, pandemic-sensitive skin. Below, here are 3 easy things to implement in your life for maskne treatment.

1-1. Remove your mask whenever possible

One of the main causes of maskne is the stuffiness and mustiness our skin experiences from wearing masks.

As masks act as a barrier, the moisture in our breath accumulates and sticks to the surface of our skin. This may make our skin feel hydrated, but don’t be fooled. It actually causes our skin to get humid and ‘soggy’ (think of what happens to your fingertips when you sit in the bath or pool for too long) and decreases our skin’s protective barrier function. Consequently, our skin is weakened. It becomes incredibly sensitive to external stimuli and bacteria, creating an excellent breeding spot for pimples.

1-2. Immediately moisturize your face after removing your mask

Our skin is in a highly ‘soggy,’ vulnerable state when we take our masks off. On top of that, the abundance of moisture on our skin from our breath evaporates, taking away the natural moisture within our skin as well. This phenomenon is known as “overdry.” 

Extremely dry skin creates a skin condition that is susceptible to acne. Thus, it becomes crucial to moisturize after you take off your mask. But we don’t just mean any kind of moisturizing - we mean effective moisturizing.

Effective moisturizing requires 2 things: to replenish hydration to your skin and to retain that moisture for a long period of time. In order to do this, your moisturizer needs to have a good balance between water and oil. The water component is for hydration, the oil for locking that hydration and preventing it from evaporating.

“But I don’t know any effective moisturizers…”

“Where can I find a moisturizer like that?”

Earthcare Asia is here to help.

Our Aquatect Gel is a moisturizer that specializes in effective moisturization. After years of trial and error, our founder has found the perfect, golden ratio of water-to-oil: 8:2. This golden ratio not only provides ample hydration to your skin but also seals that moisture in your skin for a long period of time. With carefully selected moisturizing ingredients, Aquatect Gel is an all-in-one product that can be used on your face, of course, but also your hands and body. It’s simple, yet powerful and effective.

Not to mention, it has passed patch tests, allergy tests, stinging tests, and anti-wrinkle evaluation tests. Aquatect Gel can be used by people with even the most sensitive skin. 

Want to find out more about effective moisturizing? Click here!

According to the Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore, the best time to moisturize your face is under 10 minutes after a bath, since that is when your skin is still moist (Health Hub, 2019). Although the statistics are for bathing, the same phenomenon applies to masks. 

We recommend you apply a moisturizer if you are going to take off your mask for more than 10 minutes, and we recommend you do so in under 10 minutes.

How to avoid and deal with skin irritation from masks, according to a Certified Skincare Advisor.

English subtitles available!

1-3. Always carry sunscreen

As you may already know, UV rays are a huge threat to the skin. But especially since our skin has become more acne-prone and its barrier function has been weakened by masks, the threat is much bigger than before.

In a study conducted by the National University of Singapore, sun safety habits are not widely practiced. Among 2300 Singaporean adults aged 18 to 79...:

• 14.2% would wear a hat
• 18.8% would carry a sun umbrella
• 23.9% would wear sunscreen

(NUS, 2020)

Considering how Singapore has a typically tropical climate with high temperatures and humidity all year round, sun care for maskne treatment is a must.

2. Cautionary points for skincare after COVID-19

When conducting your post-pandemic skincare, there are several things to keep in mind.

2-1. Before moisturizing, wipe away excess moisture

If you are going to take your mask off for more than 10 minutes, it is crucial to moisturize. 

However, before applying any kind of moisturizer, remove any excess moisture (i.e. from your breath) on your face with a towel. Because the skin is extremely sensitive right after you take off your mask, gently press against your skin to wipe the moisture. If possible, wash your face first and then moisturize.

2-2. When moisturizing, be sure to replenish both moisture and oil

“But my face feels moisturized when I take off my mask…”

Oftentimes, people only apply an oil-based product on their skin after taking off their mask because their face feels hydrated. Sure, applying something is much better than nothing, but it is ideal to replenish your skin with a combination of moisture and oil. This is because your skin is stripped away of its natural oils when you wash your face or wipe the excess moisture.

2-3. Use waterproof and SPF 20 sunscreens

If you are going to take your mask off outside, be sure to care for your weakened maskne skin with sunscreen.

More specifically, we recommend sunscreens with the following:

• Hypoallergenic sunscreens that are UV absorber-free and only made of UV scattering agents
• Sunscreens with low SPF for less strain on the skin
• Waterproof sunscreens that do not come off at room temperature water 

To get that glowing, maskne-free skin, all you need to do is implement these easy treatment tips into your daily routine.

Earthcare Asia’s Aquatect Gel does exactly that.

It has perfected a golden ratio of water and oil, keeping your skin moisturized for a long period of time! It’s an all-in-one skincare product so you don’t have to spend money on lotions, milky lotions, or serums - nor do you have to spend time on your skincare routine!

Ready to revolutionize your skincare with Earthcare Asia?

Click here to purchase the value Trial Set - limited for first-time customers only!

References

Health Hub, 2019. ‘Emulsifying ointment.’ Health Hub. [online] Available at: https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/medications/379/Emulsifying-Ointment#:~:text=A%20good%20time%20to%20apply,from%20losing%20too%20much%20water. (Accessed 6 September 2022).

National University of Singapore, 2020. ‘Local survey: Sun safety habits not widely practiced in Singapore.’ Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore. [online] Available at: https://sph.nus.edu.sg/2020/03/local-survey-sun-safety-habits-not-widely-practised-in-singapore/. (Accessed 6 September 2022).