So, you've been wearing your mask all week and now your skin is crying out for help? Welcome to the club.
When you didn't think the 'rona could do you any dirtier, enter 'maskne'. While we're all for saving lives (obvs), our skin definitely isn't thanking us for our efforts.
If you don't already know the lingo, maskne is a new term for the skin concerns (spots, irritated skin etc.) that can develop as a result of wearing a mask.
Yup, ever since mandatory mask wearing came into place, all our glowy skin efforts have fallen flat and our skin has just been itching for some TLC.
Thankfully for you, we've picked the brain of a licensed dermatologist and she had all the solutions.
Praise be.
How can I get rid of maskne?
Dr Rasha Rakhshani, of the Dr Rasha Clinic, is a qualified medical doctor who has trained in dermatology and now specialises in aesthetic/cosmetic medicine.
She said, "The main thing is to make sure you are using the correct cleansers, and some with salicylic acid, too."
Dr Rasha recommended us salicylic acid as well as AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids), such as glycolic acid, to combat maskne. Both of these act as exfoliants to remove dead skin cells, or in the case of us mask wearers, to remove the gunk that's accumulated under our masks.
"It would be best to use a chemical peel once a week, as well," added Dr Rasha, "to dry up any spots."
Lord knows, we need that.
What we also need, according to our saviour Dr Rasha, is to HYDRATE.
Dr Rasha stressed the "all importance" of keeping skin hydrated and explained how hydrated skin "prevents friction" between our face and our masks.
So, moisturise up, eye-cream up and, Dr Rasha adds, get some hyaluronic acid in there, too, to help your skin retain all that moisture.
Thanks, Dr Rasha.
Now, get shopping and get slathering all those skincare goodies on your face - here's our top picks, from AHAs to eye creams:
CHECK OUT: the best products to help combat maskne...
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The very best skincare products to combat maskne
1 of 8Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Serum, 30 ml
Hydraluron is somewhat of a cult product in the beauty industry and it's no surprise. It uses hyaluronic acid at a low-mid range price to prep your skin before you put that £££ moisturiser on top. Essentially, it makes sure that you get EVERY penny's worth of hydration out of your moisturiser. One reviewer even said, "OMG this does something amazing." Sounds good, right?
2 of 8First Aid Beauty Skin Lab Resurfacing Liquid 30ml (10% AHA)
Caroline Hirons recommends this. Need we say more? Ok, but seriously, this product has all the ingredients you need, glycolic acid, lactic acid, hyaluronic acid - literally all of them. Just don't forget to wear SPF, this product will leave your skin baby fresh, so protect it.
3 of 8PAULA'S CHOICE Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant( 118ml )
This product is a cocktail, and not the sort that will leave you feeling lousy the next day. In fact, this BHA is water based with 2% salicylic acid - Dr Rasha approved, don't you think?Plus, one reviewer LITERALLY wrote, "My skin has never looked so good." That could be you so get this one in ya basket.
4 of 8Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado
Another cult product, there's literally nothing to dislike about this one. It's creamy, it's hydrating, it's good for sensitive skin (unless you're...allergic to avocados) and it's an all-round good egg. So, if Dr. Rasha says you need an eye cream, this is your best bet, if you ask us.
5 of 8CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser | 236ml/8oz
This cleanser from CeraVe is honestly such a bargain. It's less than a tenner, it's almost 250ml and it's got both salicylic and hyaluronic acid, too. We can't get enough. Plus, it's fragrance free, for those of you with sensitive skin.
£13.99
- Rrp: £14.50
6 of 8PIXI Glow Tonic 250ml
A classic in the industry, Pixi Glow Tonic is a firm fave of ours. Not to mention, Caroline Hirons is a HUGE advocate. If you use this two-three times a week, your skin will feel so well cared for, and it's not surprising with its mix of exfoliating glycolic acid and soothing aloe vera. Go on, put this straight in your basket.
7 of 8Drops of Youth™ Youth Liquid Peel
If you didn't already love The Body Shop, this product is going to convert you. Use it once a week and it'll be sure to lift away all of the nasties that have been left behind under your mask. Plus, with added moringa seed oil, your skin will smell heavenly for days. Yes please, babes.
8 of 8Murad Nutrient-Charged Water Gel, 50ml
We have it on good authority from the Closer team that this moisturiser will work wonders. It's super cooling and moisturising, but with its oil-free formula, it's a great choice for oily to combination skin types (say goodbye to unwanted shine ud83dudc4b). To quote one John Lewis shopper, it leaves skin feeling "soft and hydrated." Dreamy.
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Ok, so you've sorted your skincare, but have you thought about how your make-up could be affecting your maskne?
No, we're not suggesting you ditch your make-up all together, but have you thought about lightening the load?
Dr Rasha recommends swapping your foundation for a tinted moisturiser. You'll get a slightly lighter coverage BUT, if you're skin's in a better state for it then what's to lose?
Plus, Dr Rasha said, "Foundation will just rub off into your mask and spread bacteria."
Yuck, no thank you.
Think we'll be shopping for a tinted moisturisernext.