How to Treat &
Prevent “Maskne”

Prevention is always better than a cure. Adhering to the following steps should help ensure that you keep maskne at bay:

• Find a mask that fits your face properly and provides your nose and mouth with adequate protection. This will help avoid chafing the very delicate skin around your nose, mouth and chin.
• Ensure that you change your mask at least twice a day. This will reduce the amount of oil that comes into contact with your face.
• Wash your face twice a day, preferably before you put your mask on and right after you take it off. Use water and a gentle, oil-free cleanser and follow up with a face moisturiser to keep your skin hydrated. It is important that you do this, because the combination of heat and friction causes your face to dry out and produce more sebum (natural oil).
• Avoid touching your mask: the act of constantly adjusting and touching the mask has the effect of transferring oil, dirt and other irritants to the skin on your face.
• Remove your mask when you have the chance to do so; it is important that you give your skin adequate exposure to fresh air.
• Resist the temptation to wear make-up if you know that you’ll be wearing a mask for long periods of time. Wearing make-up will clog up your pores, which increases the risk of maskne breakouts.

If you have sensitive skin, you may find the following helpful:

• Use sensitive skincare products like NIVEA Soothing Day Cream SPF 15 for all-day moisture that helps reduce tightness + redness due to dry skin.
• Choose a mask made from organic natural fibres. Cotton and silk are better for your skin than synthetic materials like polyester and rayon. This will allow your skin to breathe, helping prevent skin irritation and maskne breakouts. If you do decide to wear a reusable mask, be sure to wash it after a full day of wear.

So, you’ve followed our advice to the letter, but maskne has still made a very unwelcome appearance. Don’t worry — there’s still some simple maskne solutions you can try:

• Resist the urge to squeeze and pick at your pimples, as this will only make them worse and can lead to further breakouts.
• Wash your spots with lukewarm water and a mild soap or cleanser, such as NIVEA Gentle Toner or NIVEA Gentle Cleansing Cream. This will remove excess sebum, dirt and sweat from the surface of your skin.
• Follow up by applying a sensitive skin-friendly moisturizer like NIVEA Soothing Day Cream or Q10 Sensitive Fragrance-Free to gently hydrate and nourish your skin without clogging up your pores.
• Be careful to avoid excessive washing, however, as this can cause your skin to produce lots of sebum. This is the last thing you need when you’re trying to get your acne under control.
• Use a scrub like a NIVEA Glow Rice Scrub to exfoliate your skin every few days. This softens your skin and clears the way for a fresh new layer of skin cells to emerge.
• Avoid wearing make-up during breakouts, as this will only clog up your pores. If you do decide to wear make-up, ensure that you remove it with our Biodegradable Pure & Natural Cleansing Wipes, and wash your face before you go to bed. This will allow your skin to breathe without leaving behind a greasy residue, and washing your face afterwards will remove excess oils and dead skin cells that could contribute to further maskne breakouts.
• Eat healthily and take plenty of exercise.