Obviousbeauty

Cloth Mask Acne Is a Real Thing—Here’s How I Cured Mine
I mean, sure, it’s possible these clogged pores and little red bumps could be related to stress or my newfound baking habit (hi, sugar) or, IDK, a million other things, but ever since I’ve started wearing a cloth mask while going to the grocery store, running around the block, and just existing anywhere outside my home, breakouts have suddenly and annoyingly taken over my skin.So I chatted with dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC, to see what was going on, and it turns out my hunch was right: Cloth masks can cause acne, and the breakouts are becoming so common that they now have a clever little name—maskne.

Get a cloth mask made with breathable fabric—and wash it regularly
If you’re acne-prone, avoid cloth masks made of rough fabrics and opt for ones made with cotton fibers instead. “Not only is cotton softer and less irritating on your skin, but it’s also breathable, which means it’ll create less of a humid environment for breakouts to thrive,” says. Dr. Zeichner.

Also very important: If you’re wearing a reusable mask, make sure you wash that s**t. A germy mask is doing your skin (and your health, obviously) zero favors. “Wash your mask after every use with a gentle detergent that’s dye-free and fragrance-free,” says Dr. Zeichner. Dyes and fragrance can get lodged into the mask’s fabric and cause irritation and acne when pressed against your skin for extended periods of time.