Care, 37, had acne for most of her adult life but masks certainly made it worse.
She spent hundreds on scrubs, clay masks, washes and facials which claimed to be effective at stopping acne.
These products did little to stop the acne. In fact, many of the stronger products made her acne worse.
"As I tried all of these products, my skin became more sensitive and the acne flare ups became worse. As my skin got worse, I used more makeup. It was a vicious cycle … my foundation was causing more clogs but I didn’t want to meet anyone without covering it all up." - Care B.
Maskne: What it is and why it happens
Technically called acne mechanica, maskne is characterized by stubborn pimples on your cheeks, chin and jawline.
They are caused by several factors:
- The humid air inside your mask breeds bacteria. As bacteria counts increase, your skin gets inflamed.
- Friction further causes inflammation in your skin. This inflammation closes off pores and traps dead skin inside your pores.
- Dead skin in your pores forms clogs and clogs become pimples.
Maskne can be prevented at every step with some simple changes in your routine.
In order of priority, here are the five easy tips to help beat maskne:
1. Flush out dead skin buildup
@imcareskincare Individual results may vary
Flushing out dead skin trapped inside the pore is the most effective way to stop maskne.
However, it is hard to reach dead skin since it is often deep inside your pore (scrubs and peels only affect the surface of the skin but do little to get inside the pore).
To get deep into the pore, you need an overnight product that is left on your skin for many hours.
So what is more effective?
Top 2 ingredients to beat maskne, according to dermatologists
Looking at the playbook which dermatologists use to treat acne, retinoids are the dermatologist’s first choice for treatment followed by AZA.
Retinol is very effective in flushing out dead skin while AZA serves the dual function of flushing out dead skin and calming down any pimples that surface.
Remove the dead skin and clogs do not form. Without clogs, maskne does not form.
So what is the right mix of retinol + AZA that is effective in flushing out clogs without being too harsh on your skin?
Meet Clear Out. Most acne treatment products only have a SINGLE active ingredient. However, to maximize effectiveness and minimize irritation*, Clearly spent years formulating Clear Out so that it contains the right mix of BOTH retinol + AZA.
*We've combined the top two ingredients which derms use to fight acne (in the right percentages) to drive synergy. This means Clear Out is very effective in flushing out clogs while being gentle on sensitive skin. Over 50% of our users have sensitive or combination skin and they have no issues using Clear Out.
This unique formulation is a deadly combination that flattens active pimples and reduces future breakouts.
98% of people who use Clear Out see significant improvements in their maskne. If you don’t see a noticeable improvement after using your first bottle of Clear Out, you can get a full refund through Clearly’s moneyback guarantee.
2. Get cleansing right
A surprising number of people cleanse improperly —whether that takes the form of over-cleansing, using the wrong products, or just not cleansing at all.
Warm, humid air underneath your mask is the perfect environment for bacteria to flourish. Start everyday with a gentle wash so that you reduce the bacterial load on your skin.
Be careful NOT to overwash as you will strip your skin of essential oils needed to protect your skin against bacteria.
To get the perfect cleanse, you will find that some parts of your face require more cleansing while other parts less cleansing.
So how do you get it right?
Consider So Fresh Cleanser. This soap-free wash gives you a gentle tingle when you have taken off enough oil from your skin.
When using So Fresh, focus on areas of your face where you don’t yet feel a tingle.
You will find that your skin is much more balanced and supple after every wash. Your skin will not feel tight or overstripped in any area of your face:
A fresh tingle is all you need to get the perfect cleanse!
Face washing 101
How you wash your face can make a difference in your appearance. Follow these tips from dermatologists to help you keep your face looking healthy.
Source: aad.org
3. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize
Dry skin is a common face mask skin problem.
In addition, abrasive fibers from your mask can damage your lipid barrier, allowing bacteria to penetrate into your skin and cause inflammation.
If you experience skin sensitivity or redness under your mask, use peptides to repair your lipid barrier.
Apply moisturizer before and after wearing a mask. Moisturizer can prevent problems, especially if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Tip courtesy of board-certified dermatologist Carrie L. Kovarik, MD, FAAD
Consider Protective Moisturizer. It is loaded with peptides and antioxidants that help to reduce dryness and strengthen your skin so it can fight off environmental stressors.
After a single bottle, you will see a noticeable reduction in skin sensitivity and redness. This moisturizer is one of our most popular products!
What about oily skin, what's best for me?
Acne and larger pores are often attributed to oily skin.
As pores are clogged, oil may not reach its intended target leading to a vicious cycle of overproduction (clogged pores -> more oil production -> more clogged pores).
Consider Matte Hydrator, to break the oil production cycle. It keeps your skin matte and supple so that your skin does not need to overproduce as much oil during the day!
4. Keep your makeup light
While we’re all excited to go out again, let’s keep the makeup light (you can’t see it under the mask anyways).
Liquid or long wear foundation should be avoided as they often contain occlusive ingredients which clog pores.
Opt for powder/mineral based foundation instead.
5. Wash your masks frequently
You would be surprised at how many people reuse masks without a thorough wash.
Get into the routine of washing your masks after every use and minimize the use of detergents or soaps which may irritate your skin.
You can skip detergents or soap entirely by soaking your mask in a bowl of boiled water.
If the air under your mask is particularly humid or you need to wear masks for a prolonged period of time, consider changing masks mid-day.
Bonus tip: Wear the right mask
To reduce skin problems, look for masks that offer the following:
- A snug, but comfortable fit
- Soft, natural, and breathable fabric, such as cotton, on the inside layer that rests against your skin
A snug, comfortable fit can reduce skin problems. If the mask feels too tight or slides around on your face, it can irritate your skin.
Avoid synthetic fabrics, such as nylon, polyester, and rayon on the the layer that rests against your skin. These are more likely to irritate your skin and cause breakouts.
For more tips on selecting a face mask, visit CDC.gov.
Clearly Basics is a skincare line exclusively focused on acne-prone skin. We have a 4.9 out of 5-star rating which is rare to see with any acne-related brand.
Please use code IMCARESKINCARE to get 10% off your order.
Real People with REAL, Lasting Results
Clearly Basics has helped many people with acne ranging from mild to severe; people with sensitive skin to people with extremely oily skin. For a personalized assessment, please click "Send Message" on the Clearly Basics Facebook page.
Here are some of our stories below. These are users who have documented their entire acne journey on Instagram, including products they have used before they started Clearly Basics:
Mim (@mimandskin), a teacher from Southampton, battled hormonal acne for over 6 years before she tried the Clear Out…
@mimandskin Individual results may vary
“Out of everything I’ve tried over the 6 years I’ve battle acne on and off it’s by far stood out as being one of the most effective with no side effects (after the initial “purge”). I’ve used nothing but Clearly Basics for 11 months now and it still exceeds my expectations!”
Toni (@xx.tonilumsden), a stylist from Hertfordshire.
She spent over $6500 in acne products and treatments that did nothing for her acne…
Then she discovered the Power Duo and it changed her life…
@xx.tonilumsden Individual results may vary
“Never in my life did I imagine my skin would be this clear! Clearly Basics has completely transformed my skin!”
Alisha (@skinwithak) suffered from persistent acne and went through three rounds of oral medications before discovering Clear Out:
@skinwithak Individual results may vary
All I can say is ‘Clear Out’ by @clearlybasics is a Godsend ❤️ It doesn’t leave me overly dry or flaky which most retinol creams did.” "I wish I came across Clearly Basics before starting oral medication as I would have purchased these and wouldn't have had to put my body through so much!"
Or Ella (@_myskinstory), an aesthetician and a makeup artist who has not found anything like the Clear Out to keep her breakouts under control.
"The Clear Out is my favorite and most recommended product to any of my followers who suffer with mild-acne as well as post-acne suffers. The combination of ingredients are unique and work THE BEST in keeping spots at bay as well as improving acne marks & scars."
FAQ
How is Clear Out Any Different from Other Retinol or AZA Products?
Most products in the market contain only a SINGLE active ingredient so it does not use multiple pathways to address your skin concern.
Using multiple ingredients simultaneously is more EFFECTIVE, but getting the percentages correct in order to maximize synergy is difficult without precision machinery.
Every ingredient in Clear Out took years to balance in order to maximize synergy: ingredients work together to address your skin concerns with better results and less side effects.
I Have Sensitive Skin. Can I Use Clear Out?
Clear Out can work on its own for 95% of the population. The formulation is gentle yet powerful enough to tackle many cases that would otherwise require prescription medication.
For the 5% with very sensitive skin, add the Protective Moisturizer. Using Clear Out with the Protective Moisturizer will ensure that it works for even the most sensitive of skin. The Protective Moisturizer contains a wealth of antioxidants and botanicals that nourish your skin and peptides that simulate your lipid barrier to regrow.
This moisturizer reduces your skin's sensitivity and reduces general redness/blushing. It doesn't clog your pores even on the most sensitive skin!
I Have Oily Skin, What's Best for Me?
Acne and larger pores are often attributed to oily skin.
As pores are clogged, oil may not reach its intended target leading to a vicious cycle of overproduction (clogged pores -> more oil production -> more clogged pores).
Thus we designed Matte Hydrator, to break the oil production cycle. It keeps your skin matte and supple so that your skin does not need to overproduce as much oil during the day!
Most skincare brands have one, perhaps two formulations that are really effective.
However, Clearly carries FIVE formulations that are UNIQUE and the BEST in its class: Clear Out, Lighten Up, Protective Moisturizer, Matte Hydrator and Dark Mark Defense.
What If It Doesn't Work on My Skin?
Clear Out is so EFFECTIVE that you will get a full 90-day money back guarantee if you do not see a noticeable improvement after your first bottle. T&Cs apply.
This moneyback guarantee has been on every bottle of Clear Out and we have seen over +98% success rate.
How Long Will It Take to See Results?
In the first month, this formulation will trigger a purge of dead skin trapped in your pores which can appear as flakes or low level breakouts.
This purge will peak at week 5 and subside after week 8 of use. At week 10, you will turn over a clearer layer of skin that is less clog prone. See below:
Directions for Use?
Clear Out is only used in the evening as part of your night-time routine:
- Wash your face with a cleanser
- Apply toner (if applicable)
- Apply Clear Out (leave-in lotion)
- Apply moisturizer or other skincare that you normally use in the evening
Try Clear Out, Risk FREE!
If you finish an entire bottle and don’t see any results…
You’re entitled to a full refund within 90 days! T&Cs apply.
Try it with CONFIDENCE!
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Disclaimer:
Nothing on this article should be interpreted as personal medical advice. For medical related matters, please consult with your dermatologist.
