Here’s a simple way to help protect your skin from mask-related breakouts.
Now that face masks are a normal part of our lives, our skin is having to learn how to live with the coverings – and for many, that’s meant a rise in acne, or maskne as it’s been coined, in the areas which a face mask covers. However, skincare expert Dr. Pimple Popper (whose real name is Dr. Sandra Lee) has shared an easy hack for helping to prevent mask-related breakouts on her TikTok channel.
Dr. Lee suggests that those suffering from maskne spray the inside of their masks with a salicylic acid-based product. “Spray it on the inside of [your] mask [and] fan your mask to dry it a little,” she shared with the camera as she sprayed her own brand’s Salicylic Acid Body Spray on her disposable mask. “Salicylic acid cleans out the oil and debris within your pores, preventing acne.”
@drpimplepopperWhen you need to wear your mask but it keeps giving you MASKNE! 😫##wearamask ##drpimplepopper @slmdskincare♬ original sound – drpimplepopper
Many of her followers were quick to praise the hack, however several did point out that dampening a disposable paper mask may reduce its effectiveness, suggesting that it may be better suited to reusable cloth face coverings instead. Others suggested spraying the product directly onto your skin instead to avoid any potential damage to the mask.
On her website, Dr. Lee also shared a slew of other top tips to help prevent breakouts. She suggests sticking to cotton masks as they’re ultra-breathable and minimize irritation, ensuring you’ve got a hydrating moisturizer to help fortify your skin and skipping makeup application wherever you can. The television personality also says SPF is still a non-negotiable part of every routine, and recommends cleansing your face right before you put your mask on, as well as when you take it off.