Face mask skin problems: DIY treatment

Skin problems can develop beneath your mask

Common problems include acne breakouts, excessive dryness, and irritated skin.

If you find that wearing a face mask is causing a skin problem like a rash, acne, or dryness, you may be able to treat it yourself. To help, we’ve gathered expert advice from board-certified dermatologists. The following video gives you an overview of their advice. If you want the how-to details, check out their tips below the video.

The right skin care and knowing when to wash or toss a face mask can often help heal face mask skin problems.

1. Follow a gentle skin care routine. Skin care plays a vital role in healing your skin. If you’ve developed a skin problem from wearing a mask, follow this daily routine, Face washing 101.

2. Treat your skin. How you treat your skin varies with the skin problem. Here’s what dermatologists recommend:

   • Acne: Wash your face after wearing a mask. After washing, apply a non-comedogenic (won't clog pores) moisturizer. If your face mask causes new acne or makes your acne worse, contact a board-certified dermatologist about the best way to treat your skin.
   • Raw, irritated skin: Apply petroleum jelly to irritated spots on your face before bed. This product is designed to protect the skin so that it can heal.
   • Sore skin behind your ears: You have a few options. If you can, alternate the types of mask you wear. Find masks with different types of ties and ear loops. Wear a different type of mask each day.

If you need to wear the same type of mask each day, try wearing a ball cap or headband that comes with buttons so that you can wrap the ear loops around the buttons. If you do, make sure the mask still offers a snug bug comfortable fit.

3. Stop applying skin care products and medications that can irritate your skin. Until your skin heals, dermatologists recommend that you stop using:

   • Acne treatments that contain salicylic acid
   • Anti-aging products
   • At-home light devices
   • Peels or scrubs
   When you irritate your skin, you can delay healing.

4. Skip makeup where you have a skin problem. Until your skin heals, makeup can worsen a mask-induced skin problem. If you must apply makeup where you’ve developed a skin problem, use a non-comedogenic (won't clog pores) product, such as mineral-based makeup.

5. Throw away your surgical (disposable) face masks, N95 respirators, and KN95 respirators as recommended. Here are the guidelines:

   • Surgical masks are meant to be worn once and thrown out.
   • N95 and KN95 respirator are a bit different. If you use one, the CDC recommends that you “check the manufacturer’s instructions to learn how long they can be worn before they should be thrown away.”
     
     The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says, “Replace a respirator when the straps are stretched out and it no longer fits snugly against your face or when it becomes wet, dirty, or damaged.” Throwing away your mask/respirator as recommended also helps protect your skin. Makeup, oil, and other particles can build up on the mask. This buildup can irritate your skin and lead to skin problems.

6. Wash your cloth face masks. Oils on your skin and particles that you breathe out collect on the mask. As these build up, they can irritate the skin covered by your mask.
   
   The CDC recommends that you wash your cloth face masks after each use. Aside from removing germs, washing also gets rid of oils, dead skin cells, and other particles that can irritate your skin.
   
   You can wash a cloth mask in a washing machine or by hand. Just be sure to:

   • Follow the washing instructions.
   • Wash the masks in hot water, unless the instructions say otherwise.
   • Use a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic laundry detergent.

7. Protect irritated skin. You can continue to wear a mask while you have a skin problem. Before you put on your mask, gently apply a no sting barrier film. This product adds a layer of protection, so your skin feels more comfortable. You can find this product online.

While you have a skin problem, you can continue to wear a face mask

To help your skin feel more comfortable, dermatologists recommend applying a no-sting barrier film before you put on your mask.

When to consult a board-certified dermatologist

When you follow these skin care tips, you should notice an improvement in a few days. If your skin stays the same or worsens, it’s time to consult a dermatologist. You can locate a board-certified dermatologist in your area at, Find a dermatologist.

Images
Getty Images

References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “How to use your N95 respirator.” Page last updated 5/16/2023. Page last accessed 2/5/2024.

Darlenski R, Tsankov N. "Covid-19 pandemic and the skin - What should dermatologists know?" Clin Dermatol. 2020 Nov-Dec;38(6):785-7.

Lan J, Song Z, et al. "Research letter: Skin damage among health care workers managing coronavirus disease-2019.” J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;82(5):1215-6.

Oranges T, Janowska A, et al. "Reply to: Skin damage among health care workers managing coronavirus disease-2019" J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020 Jun;82(6):e233-4.

Written by:
Paula Ludmann, MS

Reviewed by:
Carrie L. Kovarik, MD, FAAD
Natalie Matthews, MD, FAAD
Sanna Ronkainen, MD, FAAD

Last updated: 8/7/24