By now, you're probably familiar with what a face mask is and how to wear one. No, not the kind that you can rinse off or sleep overnight with, but the kind that protects you and reduces your chances of catching any airborne viruses. And if you're like us and using reusable face masks, getting breakouts around your lip, chin, and jawline may be an issue you're dealing with. This is what we call maskne -- acne caused by wearing face masks.

Let's go over all the ways to prevent and treat maskne so that you don't have to compromise your skin's health for your safety. 

1. Wear a reusable face mask

While you can always use new, disposable masks, we recommend using reusable face masks as they're eco-friendly and don't cause as much waste. We recommend a 100% cotton face mask for day-to-day activities as they are non-irritating and more breathable so you're less likely to accumulate sweat inside your mask. If you're working out and sweating a lot, we would recommend using a face cover with moisture-wicking material. We've also found wearing a structured mask was helpful in reducing the irritation caused by the friction of the face mask rubbing against your skin. 

2. Wash your face masks every night

Just as you would always take off your makeup and wash your face every night, do the same for your face mask. The last thing you want to do is put yesterday's harbouring bacteria, dead skin cells, oils, and old makeup back onto your fresh face. Use a gentle soap like Grown Alchemist's Hand Wash Soap to cleanse your mask so that it's ready to use again the next day. 

3. Freshen up your skin mid-day

While it may not be practical or healthy to wash your face multiple times throughout the day, you can quickly and easily freshen up your skin. Take some micellar water or a refreshing toner to wipe away any mid-day oil and sweat buildup.

4. Don't forget to exfoliate 

Wearing a face mask often can trap dead skin and oils, leading to clogged pores. It's important to gently exfoliate your skin 2-3x a week (so long as your skin can handle it). We love using VREE's Reveal: Exfoliating and Deep Cleansing Scrub as it is gentle enough for daily use.

5. Calm your skin from irritation with a detoxifying face mask

Wearing a face mask every day can really irritate your skin as the friction from the cloth rubs against your face, especially if you have sensitive skin. We love treating our skin with LESSE's Bioactive Face Masque as it is formulated specifically to calm irritation, reduce redness, and detox and heal the skin. 

6. Supplement your skincare routine with vitamins that heal your skin from inside-out

They say your skin is a reflection of your internal health. And sometimes taking care of your skin externally with all the right skin products just isn't enough. Give your skin a boost with KAPOWDER's VITALITY supplement, featuring major key ingredients that will regenerate skin cells, preserve collagen and cleanse your body from toxins.

7. Avoid wearing makeup underneath your mask

If possible, opt out of wearing heavy makeup especially if you know you'll be wearing a mask for a long period of time. Heavy foundations and powders that sit on top of your pores, coupled with a sweaty face mask is a recipe for maskne. 

8. Clean your mouth before wearing your mask

Your breath and your face will be the closest they'll ever be when wearing a face mask. To keep your face mask its freshest, brush your teeth and use mouthwash to reduce the spread of bacteria from your mouth onto your face. 

9. Take a break from wearing a mask, where safe to do so

If you have a moment, and while safe to do so (e.g., in your car, away from people), take a break from wearing a mask altogether to let your skin recuperate and breathe. This will be especially helpful and relieving if you need to wear a face mask for long durations. 

10. See a dermatologist if things don't improve

Seek professional help if you are not seeing any improvements. You may be experiencing something more complicated like fungal acne or cystic acne, in which a dermatologist can provide you with the right treatment.