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Maskne: With these 10 tips you can avoid pimples through the mouth-nose mask

Posted by Lara Schimweg on May 11, 2022

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updated on December 15, 2023

If you care about yourself and your health, then FFP2 masks are sometimes still an issue. The mask requirement has been abolished. But that doesn't mean that you no longer wear a mask in everyday life. The FFP2 mask or a mouth-nose mask can really irritate the skin and lead to perioral dermatitis . The term "maskne" has been established for this. A moist environment forms under the mask. After all, you breathe in and out regularly.

First of all: pimples or not, masks sometimes make sense because they protect us and those around us from corona or other diseases. Even if the mask is currently causing skin problems or simply annoys you, it is important for all of us. We should not forget that.

What is Maskne?

You may have already noticed that your skin is prone to skin problems just because you are wearing a mask and that unfortunately a few spots often appear - the so-called maskne. The technical term is perioral dermatitis, also known as stewardess disease or perioral dermatitis. Especially on the chin, around the nose and on the cheeks. Maybe you already have problems in these areas anyway. Sensitive skin, rosacea and skin that is prone to inflammation and blemishes are particularly irritated by the mask. This can then lead to maskne more quickly.

A sign of perioral dermatitis is a bright visible triangle that appears between the nose and mouth.

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Causes of Maskne

The moist environment is not ideal, especially for sensitive skin. After all, a kind of enclosed space is created under the mask, where bacteria and fungi can easily multiply. This is also a wonderful climate for acne propionibacterium. It feels particularly comfortable in such an environment and can easily multiply. This is of course not good for you. Unfortunately, the skin also becomes particularly oily when it is under such a mask. This is also not beneficial if you are already prone to blemishes. And as if that wasn't enough: your skin heats up under the mask and your skin sweats to cool down. This is a problem especially for people with rosacea. Because the heat under the mask causes the blood vessels in the skin to dilate and the skin to redden. This then fuels inflammatory processes. You see: no matter what skin type or problem, the masks are not particularly pleasant for anyone.

What you can do to prevent maskne

How can you soothe the skin, prevent inflammation and reduce redness or pimples and pustules?

Here is a small helpful list to help you prevent and reduce maskne:

1. Change your mask regularly

Change your mask regularly, at least once a day, preferably more often. This way you won't create a breeding ground for fungi and bacteria that can lead to maskne.

2. Remove the mask occasionally

Wear your face mask only as much as necessary (but definitely whenever other people are around).

3. Mild cleansing for maskne

In the morning, clean your skin only with lukewarm water. If necessary, you can use a mild cleanser . Your skin is very sensitive now and you should not clean it too often or irritate it too much. In the evening, you should definitely clean your face with a mild cleanser to remove sweat and dirt.