Maskne: What Is It? How Do I Prevent It?

Maskne is a term referring to symptoms experienced while wearing masks that started to trend at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when masks were worn more frequently and for longer periods by the public. Symptoms of maskne include:

• Redness
• Irritation
• Itching
• Acne breakouts

These symptoms can be present on the skin from hours to days after wearing a mask.

There Are Multiple Causes of Maskne

There are multiple causes of maskne:

• An allergic contact dermatitis from an adhesive on the mask. I experienced this. I develop redness, swelling, and tenderness for about 24 – 48 hours after using surgical face masks with an adhesive over my nose and cheeks. Instead, I use surgical masks with foam pads over my nose and cheeks. My symptoms have not recurred.
• Heat and humidity in the mask. The heat and humidity generated when breathing in a mask can exacerbate acne.

Masks Are Very Important

There are many situations in which wearing a mask is essential, including in:

• The operating room to reduce the risk of contaminating the surgical site
• Crowded areas to reduce the transmission of respiratory illnesses

Strategies to Reduce the Risk of Maskne

Maskne is unlikely to be a problem for most people. However, those who wear masks frequently, those who wear masks for long periods of time, and/or those with underlying inflammatory skin conditions (e.g. acne) may be more susceptible. Strategies to reduce the risk of maskne include:

• Keeping your face clean with a gentle face cleanser
• Taking breaks with a mask but only when safe and appropriate
• Changing your mask regularly
• Avoiding masks with adhesives, if sensitive