2020 Beauty keyword M.A.S.K – A (Anti-Trouble)

Summer is here, more hot and humid days are coming – how to prevent and treat ‘maskne‘ (acne breakouts caused by wearing a face mask) during this season? We have set the first step (Mild Cleansing), protecting the skin barrier while cleansing, and then what’s next? Read on to learn about Anti-Trouble steps.

😷Types of Maskne

Wearing masks for an extended period of time, can cause more skin irritation and acne, especially the areas covered by the mask along the jaw, cheeks and mouth. However the Maskne has different types and needs to be treated differently.

1. Comedonal Acne
   Comedonal acne is characterized by many small, flesh-colored papules that make the skin appear bumpy, and the most common forms of comedonal acne are blackheads and whiteheads – non-inflamed blemishes.

This type of acne is caused by a weakened skin barrier, imbalance of moisture and oil in the skin so the cure is proper ‘moisturizing’ more like balancing the skin.
• Sebum-controlling toner and lightweight moisturizer in the morning can help reduce excess oil throughout the day
• Using night cream(moisturizer)s containing ceramide, cholesterol & fatty acids help strengthen the skin barrier

< Product Recommendation >

(1) Illiyoon Probiotics Skin Barrier Cream – probiotics, restore skin balance
(2) Makep:rem Cicapro™ Revitalizing Cream – intense care with Lactococcus probiotics, strengthen the skin barrier, soothing benefit
(3) Soon+(plus) 5.5 Balancing Emulsion – restore skin barrier with probiotics water & squalene
(4) ReduireTrouble Relieving Time Toner – instantly hydrate and soothe sensitive, stressed skin, sebum-control benefits
(5) Physiogel Daily Moisture Therapy Facial Cream – highly moisturizing with protection against external aggressors

2. Acne Papulosa (Papules)
   Acne characterized by formation of papules with very little inflammation – with deep-seated and destructive lesions that may produce severe scarring. Anti-inflammatory ingredients can reduce this symptom such as Tea Tree Oil, Centella Asiatica, Licorice Extract etc,. If the size is big and has a lot, it can be helpful to use steroid injection or see a dermatologist.

< Product Recommendation >

(1) ISOI Acni Dr. 1st Speedy Spot – Instant soothing, improve skin tone
(2) Artistry Studio Skin Ectoheal™ CICA SOS Balm – repair skin damage and protect skin from external aggressors with CICA ingredients
(3) Cell Barrier CICA-N Relief Toner – soothing, moisturizing & refining toner, removes excess sebum & impurities
(4) Belif Stress Shooter CICA Bomb Cream – soothe & repair skin, helps lower skin temperature, specially designed for sensitive skin
(5) Tamburins Tigerleaf 100 Serum – contains concentrated centella asiatica extract for intense care

3. Pustular acne (Pustules)
   A type of pimple that contains yellowish pus – consists of a buildup of dead, white blood cells that form when the body’s immune system responds to the infection. They(Pustules) are typically white and larger than whiteheads and blackheads.

It is important to avoid picking at or popping a pustule – it can cause further damage, however if popped ‘correctly’, use acne patches to speed up the healing process. Follow with a whitening cream(Vitamin C or Niacinamide) is also beneficial to prevent dark spots.

< Spot Treatments >

(1) So Natural Yellow CICA Spot Powder – calamine, sulfur, instant soothing

(2) AESTURA THERACNE365 Sulfur Clear Liquid – high potency of sulfur (80,000ppm) & calamine, wide area
cf. AESTURA THERACNE365 Sulfur Apot Cream – High potency of sulfur (150,000ppm) & calamine, spot care

(3) Acropass Trouble Cure Patch – microneedle intense care, niacinamide for brightening
(4) Oliveyoung Care Plus Spot Patch – non-glossy patch, 10mm+12mm
(5) Easyderm Beauty Band – non-glossy, 10mm+12mm, Approved by British Allergy Foundation

(6) Real Barrier Control-T Spot Gel – tea tree oil & calendula, ph 4.5~6.5

< Night Treatments >
(1) ACWELL AC Night Repair Cream

(2) Avene Cicalfate+ Repairing Protective Cream

😷Other Signs of Maskne

1. Redness
   Heat and sweating can be triggers for this skin condition, which is characterized by redness, enlarged blood vessels and firm or fluid-filled bumps. Taking regular breaks from wearing your mask (when it is safe) can lower the skin temperature, however applying face mist and cooling skincare products can make it worse, increasing skin temperature.
2. Dark Spots and pigmentation
   Vitamin C is an effective ingredient that can reduce inflammation and speed up acne healing process, it also promotes collagen formation to plump out scars and fade post-acne scars and hyperpigmentation.
3. Maskne Trace (Face Mapping)
   Acne breakouts reappear in the exact same spot due to the pimple won’t heal properly, meaning there is still inflammation deeper in the skin. To reduce this pattern, use a product that contains retinoids (such as retinol, tretinoin or retinyl acetate), it helps unclog pores and reduce acne breakout.
   

*If a breakout is severe or doesn’t go away with treatment, reach out to your dermatologist.

😷Acne-Fighting Daily Skin Care Routine

1. Cleanse your face morning and night with a gentle cleanser to prevent the build up of bacteria, oil, and other pore-clogging elements
2. Use proper moisturizer that helps to strengthen the skin barrier, preventing skin irritation from the mask
   • In the morning, minimize oil – do not recommend to use oil-enriched face cream or face oil
   • Skip-care products can be an option (will talk about soon^^)
   • At night, restore healthy skin condition – concentrated hydrating/nourishing ampoule followed by a moisturizer to seal in moisture
3. Avoid over exfoliating – An over-exfoliated skin can become so vulnerable and damaged that it can be easily inflamed, resulting in acne breakout
4. Do not skip the sunscreen – sunscreen should remain on your daily skincare routine. Consider lightweight, mattifying formula or non-comedogenic sunscreen.
5. Effective spot treatment & post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation care
   : spot treatments, containing salicylic acid, sulfur and benzoyl peroxide can help zap acne, and using vitamin c serum helps reduce acne scarring
   

😷Additional Tips

1. Keep your makeup brushes and applicators clean – Sebum and dead skin cells can accumulate on bristles and pads.
2. Avoid moisture/humid environment – use a setting powder or no-sebum powder throughout the day
3. Use Tea Tree Oil for instant spot treatment or antibacterial benefit to reduce acne, especially inflamed red bumps, however need to dilute (mix with water or carrier oil such as olive, coconut, or almond oil)
4. Avoid harmful ingredients like Preservatives (Eg. paraben, phenoxyethanol), SLS(sodium lauryl sulfate) & SLES(sodium laureth sulfate), AHA & BHA, and Fragrance as they can damage the skin’s immune system, resulting in damage skin barrier and skin irritation

😷Conclusion (My Thought)

The basic, can be the best advice is to keep it simple. Simply use a gentle cleanser and proper moisturizer, avoiding strong, active ingredients such as glycolic acid and salicylic acid, vitamin C, or topical retinoids/retinol – can be extremely beneficial however make the skin condition worse so my advice for sensitive, maskne skin is “Use Caution”.
Plus, high-performance makeup products such as waterproof, high-coverage etc,. and silicone oil containing products can increase oil production, so Not Recommended!

Thanks for reading and see you at the next post.

Some sentences/definition quoted from medicalnewstoday.com, google search and article source from beauty+ blog post. The product suggestion lists are compromised by my experience with popularity & consumers consumption.