Should you start a basic skin care routine to avoid “maskne?”

Are you considering starting a basic skin care routine? Throughout the ongoing pandemic, countries worldwide have undertaken many safety precautions, and mandatory face masks are one of them. People have been wearing face masks regularly for more than a year now. Surely, this safety measure has been effective in keeping people safer during the pandemic. But constantly wearing face masks can also lead to skin issues or trigger a common problem known now as “maskne.”

“Maskne” refers to facial acne created from all the sweat and oil that builds up underneath the masks. It is not uncommon to see your face break out every other day after a long day of wearing a face mask in public. Additionally, skin problems may not be due only to wearing masks frequently, as there are many other reasons for breaking out and different types of acne. For example, hormonal imbalance, stress or even a wrong acne treatment can cause the disappearance of healthy-looking skin.

Achieving healthy-looking skin can be a long and challenging process, and it can be mentally and physically straining. Blemished skin can also lead to insecurities and low self-esteem. Before taking any skin care steps, embracing your skin is always the first step, no matter its condition.

Changing how you view your skin by learning to accept it can help you with personal growth and mental health. There is no shame in having acne, pigmentation, blemishes and less-than-perfect skin. Having a basic skin care routine is also self-care, and self-care starts from self-love and acceptance.

Having a basic clean skin care routine is always a good starting point to looking after your skin before it’s too late. Here are some crucial daily skin care steps you should be taking to prevent further damage to your skin. Before you follow these steps, remember to determine your skin type, as some steps and skin care products are not universally suitable for all skin types. These steps may not instantly eliminate all your skin issues, but these are basic steps that will help you achieve healthy-looking skin over time.

Cleansing your face

After a long day out and about, it is common to come home with a face full of sweat, oil and dirt. Often, our first instinct is to shower, thinking that it will wash away all the residue from the day. However, using a facial cleanser to cleanse the face (after removing makeup) gently is important for all skin types. Facial cleansers remove impurities and revitalize the skin. Cleansing also makes the application of other skin care products even more effective.

Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen!

Many people remember to apply sunscreen on their bodies during summertime to prevent sunburns, but they may forget that sunscreen is also essential for the face. Many people also believe that wearing sunscreen is unnecessary unless you are out in the scorching heat, or that it is even more pointless if you are working from home.

However, the truth is that applying sunscreen is the foundation of any daily skin care routine. Sunscreen lowers the risk of skin cancer, prevents early signs of aging, helps maintain even skin tone, and protects our skin against the depleting ozone layer. Remember, cloudy days or staying indoors is not an excuse for not wearing your sunscreen.

Don’t forget to exfoliate

Exfoliating away all the oil and dirt stuck under your mask and seeping into your pores helps keep your skin fresh and smooth. In addition, everyone sheds dead skin cells, and these can remain on your face, creating clogged pores or flaky patches of buildup. Exfoliation helps get rid of the dirt and dead skin cells while also helping with blood circulation and plumping up your skin.

Avoid over-exfoliating as it may strip away natural oils from the skin and compromise its natural protective barrier. You can also hydrate your skin after exfoliating to moisturize. What’s more – you can even make a DIY face scrub at home using simple ingredients like brown sugar, honey and oats.

Hydration is the key

We have all heard that drinking water is vital for the body all our lives. Similarly, hydration for the skin is as important as drinking water. You can keep your skin hydrated by applying hydrating face masks, facial oils that help lock the moisture and, of course, drinking enough water. Hydration helps reduce wrinkles and maintains the elasticity of the skin. Well-hydrated skin is more plumped, youthful and smooth skin.

Don’t let your skin limit you

Breaking out and having acne is a natural occurrence for many people, and it can be different for everyone. It is important to take care of our skin, but it is also essential to take care of our mental well-being.

You can do this by practicing skin positivity. Your physical appearance should never limit you, and having blemished skin is not a measure of your worth and beauty. After all, you are so much more than the current condition of your skin.