Maskne Symptoms And Causes: How To Identify Your Type + Editor's Personal Tips For Combating It!

“Maskne” is a relatively new skin concern that has emerged in recent years. It refers to skin issues caused by prolonged mask-wearing. Due to the ongoing pandemic, masks have become a daily necessity, especially during hot and humid summer months, making our skin more prone to flare-ups such as acne, bumps, and sensitivity. To improve maskne, it’s crucial to first understand which type you belong to so you can treat it effectively. Keep reading for a full breakdown and practical tips!

1

Maskne Symptoms and Causes

Every time we put on a mask, the temperature inside it rises. Our breath increases both humidity and temperature within the mask. For every 1°C increase, sebum secretion goes up by 10%. Prolonged exposure to this hot, humid, and stuffy environment causes excess oil production and creates an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, which in turn can trigger acne, blackheads, and clogged pores—leading to maskne.

Additionally, constant talking while wearing a mask causes friction against the skin, often resulting in redness and irritation. For those with already sensitive or unstable skin, this can lead to a “skin crisis” with breakouts erupting like a volcano.

2

Types of Maskne – Which One Do You Have?

Although maskne is mainly caused by extended mask use, the skin issues it creates can vary. Generally, maskne can be categorized into three types:

Type 1: Sensitive Maskne

As mentioned earlier, masks create a humid, stuffy environment. Moisture from our breath gets trapped near the skin, almost as if the outer skin layer is constantly soaked, damaging the skin barrier. This results in dryness, redness, itchiness, and overall sensitivity—what we call sensitive maskne.

Type 2: Acne-Prone Maskne

Masks press against the skin and cause friction while we talk, creating micro-damage and tiny wounds. At the same time, pollutants like bacteria, pollen, and dust can enter from the mask’s edges, further damaging the skin barrier. This weakens the skin’s defenses and causes bacteria to thrive, leading to breakouts, blackheads, and clogged pores—this is acne-prone maskne.

Type 3: Fine-Line Maskne

Don’t assume that areas not directly covered by the mask are safe. The skin around the eyes is especially delicate and can also be affected. The mask presses against this area, worsening existing dark circles and puffiness. Also, steam from our breath travels upward, drying out the eye area and leading to fine lines—making you appear years older.

3

Redness & Sensitivity from Maskne: Causes & Solutions

As discussed, any facial movement (breathing, talking) while wearing a mask causes friction, increasing the risk of contact dermatitis. Taking masks on and off frequently (e.g., for meals or drinks) creates repeated friction and micro-injuries. These tiny breaks in the skin allow bacteria to penetrate and trigger infection. Additionally, the mask traps droplets, sweat, and heat, which can irritate the skin and create the perfect conditions for bacterial overgrowth and allergic reactions.

Poor-quality masks made of coarse or irritating materials (like synthetic fibers) can further aggravate the skin. Some even contain residual formaldehyde or release it over time, triggering allergic reactions like redness, rashes, peeling, blisters, swelling, itchiness, or stinging.

Solutions for Redness & Sensitivity

Most surgical masks are made from non-woven fabric (usually polyester), which generally does not cause allergic reactions. Still, it's best to check where the mask was made, whether it meets international safety standards, and opt for hypoallergenic or "duckbill-shaped" masks to reduce irritation.

If you have sensitive skin or eczema, consider placing a thin layer of tissue or gauze inside the mask to absorb moisture and reduce friction. But don’t add more than two layers, as this may compromise the mask's fit and effectiveness. Replace your mask every 4 hours to maintain hygiene and reduce bacterial growth. When possible and safe, take short mask breaks to let your skin breathe.

For skincare, choose simple, fragrance-free, and dye-free moisturizing products to keep skin hydrated and reduce sensitivity. This can help you combat fragile maskne-prone skin.

4

Oily Skin & Breakouts from Maskne: Causes & Solutions

The area around the mouth naturally produces more oil. When covered by a mask, saliva and sweat can’t evaporate properly, stimulating the sebaceous glands and worsening oiliness. This also thickens the stratum corneum (outermost skin layer), leading to clogged pores. Combined with high humidity and warmth inside the mask, acne-causing bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes) thrive and trigger localized inflammation—resulting in acne, clogged pores, pustules, and even cystic acne. If untreated, the condition can spread across the entire face.

Solutions for Oily Skin & Acne

Daily cleansing is crucial. Enhance your morning and evening skincare routine and consider using cleansers with fruit acids (AHAs) to exfoliate and reduce oil. Although some women still wear makeup under masks, this can worsen breakouts and dirty the mask. If makeup is necessary, choose oil-free or mineral-based cosmetics—and make sure to thoroughly remove makeup before showering.

If you have oily or acne-prone skin, avoid heavy, oil-rich products. Use lightweight, oil-controlling moisturizers. Also, remember to change your mask every 4 hours. If the mask becomes wet or soiled, replace it immediately to avoid bacterial buildup or unpleasant odors.

5

Dullness & Pigmentation from Maskne: Causes & Solutions

Some people mistakenly think the masked area doesn’t need sunscreen. This is incorrect. Masks do not offer UV protection. UV rays and blue light from electronic screens can penetrate masks and damage your skin, leading to pigmentation and dullness. UV rays and blue light also break down collagen and elastin, accelerating aging—causing dryness, fine lines, and sagging. They also generate free radicals that damage skin cells, worsen pigmentation, and compromise skin structure.

Solutions for Dullness & Pigmentation

Apply sunscreen to your entire face before putting on a mask. Let it absorb for a few minutes to prevent it from rubbing off. Choose a formula based on your skin type. Since Hong Kong is hot and humid, lightweight sunscreens with lower SPF/PA values are often better suited for most people. If you have sensitive skin, go for physical (mineral) sunscreens to avoid irritation.

If you’re outside for long periods, reapply sunscreen every 2 hours to maintain protection. Use waterproof sunscreen for better durability. And even if you didn’t wear makeup, always remove sunscreen thoroughly to avoid clogged pores and breakouts.

6

Treating Maskne-Related Acne: Acne Lotions & Creams

Many women struggle with maskne-induced breakouts. If untreated, acne can spread across the cheeks, chin, and forehead, even turning into inflamed nodules or cystic acne. Since wearing a mask is still necessary when going out, skin conditions may worsen.

Common treatments include acne creams, lotions, and oral medications like isotretinoin (AHA pills). While effective, each comes with varying side effects and physical risks. Let’s look at how topical acne treatments work.

Most over-the-counter acne creams and lotions contain ingredients like vitamin A derivatives, acids, sulfur, or antibiotics. These aim to kill bacteria, reduce inflammation, control oil production, and speed up healing.

However, not all acne creams are created equal. Some contain anti-inflammatory ingredients that aren’t strong enough for deeper inflammation. Others only prevent new pimples and cannot treat existing ones. Many also contain chemical ingredients that may irritate sensitive skin.

Tip: Always do a patch test on a small area before full application. If there’s no reaction, you can use it on larger areas.

7

Treating Severe Maskne: Oral Isotretinoin (AHA)

Oral isotretinoin (commonly known as AHA or Roaccutane) is reserved for severe acne cases, such as cystic or nodular acne. It requires a prescription and medical supervision.

Benefits of Oral Isotretinoin:

• Reduces sebaceous gland activity and oil production
• Inhibits acne-causing bacteria
• Reduces inflammation in hair follicles
• Prevents clogged pores by slowing keratinization
• Helps fade deeper pigmentation

This treatment is highly effective for controlling oil and breakouts caused by maskne. However, it comes with significant side effects, such as extremely dry skin, peeling, and itchiness. Most users also experience an initial "purge" phase before improvements appear.

Important: Long-term use of isotretinoin can affect liver function and even lead to hepatitis. Regular liver function tests are necessary during treatment.

8

Common Methods to Treat Acne, Blackheads, and Pimples: Acne Patches

Acne patches are essentially mini transparent hydrocolloid dressings, originally used in the medical field for wound care. By creating a sealed environment, they isolate acne wounds from external bacteria, preventing infection. At the same time, they lock in moisture in the stratum corneum, preventing evaporation, softening the keratin, and enhancing the absorption of active ingredients to eliminate acne and promote healing.

Two main functions of acne patches:

• By sticking the hydrocolloid patch onto the acne wound, it forms a sealed environment that gradually absorbs pus and secretions while keeping the area moist, accelerating the healing process.
• Acne patches isolate the affected area from external irritants like makeup and dust, effectively preventing infection.

9

Editor’s Review After Taking Isotretinoin: Is Perfect Medical’s “Acne Treatment” Useless for Chin Acne?

As someone who has long struggled with persistent acne-prone skin, I’ve tried nearly every acne-fighting product—toners, patches, spot treatments—you name it. But during the pandemic, I was defeated by the mask. Chin and neck breakouts kept recurring, and even after the pandemic, I got used to wearing a mask from time to time. That meant maskne stuck around—until I found an acne care treatment I could actually stick with!

A lot of people ask me: “Is isotretinoin the most effective way to treat acne?” The answer is yes—it’s truly the ultimate oil gland suppressant. Once my skin stopped producing so much oil, it looked visibly brighter, and I barely broke out during the treatment period. BUT, and this is important—you can’t take isotretinoin forever. I completed three courses, each lasting six months.

Since I couldn’t stay on medication, I needed a skincare regimen that could help me control breakouts, prevent new ones, and repair my skin. A friend recommended the Perfect Medical Acne Treatment, which uses a non-invasive method that removes blackheads without damaging the skin. It’s suitable for all skin types and effectively targets blackheads, acne, and maskne.

So what’s the actual experience like?

The Perfect Medical Acne Treatment is a non-invasive, drug-free method for treating acne. It uses a dual-action spiral suction drainage technology. The treatment involves two channels: one uses a proprietary vacuum microdermabrasion technique with a purification formula to gently and painlessly remove dead skin cells, while the other infuses medical-grade essences deep into the skin.

Because my skin was less oily after isotretinoin, I didn’t feel much difference from the blackhead suction or exfoliation (though my friend loves how it dissolves and removes blackheads—saves her a ton of time on manual extractions). But I truly noticed the anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effects. After just one session, all my acne had calmed down, and my skin looked hydrated, plump, and at least two shades brighter. The results lasted a long time, which is impressive considering my skin usually stays red and irritated!

Even my usual end-of-day oiliness decreased—just a light layer of oil on my T-zone, which could be dabbed off with blotting paper easily. Other than one or two tiny pimples before my period, I rarely broke out again! And keep in mind, I was still wearing a mask for long hours both outdoors and in the office. This treatment really helped stabilize my skin condition! Highly recommended for anyone dealing with maskne, acne-prone skin, or oily and sensitive skin.