Wearing a mask offers protection against Covid-19 but it doesn’t protect you from a facial condition called “maskne.” Wikipedia explains the origin of the term: “Maskne (pronounced mask-nee and sometimes spelled mask-ne or mascne) is a portmanteau of “mask” and “acne.” The term appeared in use during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 to refer to acne and other rashes of the face that occur in association with mask wearing.”
Some aren’t particular about wearing the same mask more than once. It’s a bad habit to get into considering the amount of debris and bacteria a mask can accumulate. Conditions such as friction and hot weather make the likelihood of getting maskne worse.
According to Dictionary.com, maskne first appeared on Twitter in March 2020 as more people wore masks to protect themselves from Covid-19.
“Pro of being forced to wear a mask all day at work: no one can smell my coffee breath.
Con: mask induced acne (or maskne).”“So who else has maskne (acne from wearing a mask every day)??? Where are my healthcare ppl at cause I know I’m not alone in this.”
The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology reports that maskne is a disorder related to the “increased duration of mask wear.” Tropical climates can cause excessive sweating which aggravate the condition. Maskne can appear within six weeks of regular mask wearing. The article suggests using “antibacterial gentle cleansers and moisturizers formulated as prescription emollient devices, which help maintain a healthy skin barrier/microbiome. Spot acne treatment with benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, sulfur, α-hydroxy acids, and retinoids predispose to irritant contact dermatitis under occlusion” (Teo).
Below is a useful guide on how to prevent maskne:
YouTuber Hyram offers useful tips on how to alleviate mask acne.
Social Media Trends as of May 17, 2022
Facebook #maskne: 83,000 people are posting about this
Instagram #maskne: 226,217 posts
TikTok #maskne: 227.2 million views
YouTube #maskne: 1,100 videos and 912 channels
Google Trends: maskne didn’t appear until the week of May 10, 2020. It reached its peak during the week of August 16 that year, during the height of summer, when those who developed maskne wanted to learn more about remedying the condition.
Sources:
Caelestiss. “How to prevent Maskne tips – acne or irritation caused by wearing protective face mask during Coronavirus pandemic. Infographic vector illustration isolated. female character portrait with pimples.” Shutterstock.com. Standard License. Royalty-free stock vector ID: 1872229447.
Hyram. “How to Prevent & Get Rid of “Maskne.” YouTube. August 12, 2020. URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVVEiNKLDWo.
“Maskne”. Dictionary.com. August 4, 2020. URL: https://www.dictionary.com/e/slang/maskne/?itm_source=parsely-api.
“Maskne”. Wikipedia. 9 January 2022. URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maskne.
Teo, Wan-Lin. “Diagnostic and management considerations for “maskne” in the era of COVID-19.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. October 1, 2020. URL: https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(20)32664-5/fulltext.