Right before social distancing began, my skin was thriving. Breakouts were something that I experienced maybe once a month, I had just nailed my no-makeup makeup look for work, and I cut out foundation from my daily routine. Even during the first three months of work from home my skin was fine. But then month four happened, and the maskne and skin irritation flare-ups [1] began.
No matter what I tried, I woke up with red, uncomfortable breakouts on my chin [2]. There was — and still is — a laundry list of things irritating my skin: cloth face masks, the hot summer temperature, my persistent attempt to wear my normal makeup routine, sweat. I applied makeup to try to hide the breakouts on the lower half of my face but it always came off on the inside of my mask and made my skin feel even more congested.
Now, as we head into month five, I'm almost afraid to admit in fear of jinxing it that I may have figured out a skin-care routine to manage and treat the acne from my mask and a new daily makeup routine that works for me.
Almost all of the products in my morning skin-care routine have changed [3] to account for my new acne-prone skin type and my makeup routine looks a lot different too, so I'm sharing the products that have made it into my month-five-of-social-distancing beauty routine, ahead.
Morning Skin-Care Routine For Maskne: Cleanse
The Tatcha The Rice Wash Skin-Softening Cleanser [4] ($35) is a new launch, and it's made a welcome addition to my morning skin-care routine. With all of the acne-fighting ingredients I started incorporating into my routine, I needed something that was gentle.
Morning Skin-Care Routine For Maskne: Serum Booster
After I apply my eye cream (which hasn't changed because of COVID-19), I reach for the Elizabeth Arden Superstart Skin Renewal Booster [5] ($67) to restore my skin's barrier. It's a pre-serum treatment that gives your skin an extra boost of moisture and for me, it works to counteract the drying acne-fighting ingredients I use at night.
Morning Skin-Care Routine For Maskne: Serum
No matter what's happening with my skin, I always use a vitamin C serum in the morning. The Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum [6] ($80) is especially great right now because it gently exfoliates my skin with L-ascorbic acid.
Morning Skin-Care Routine For Maskne: Spot Treatment
I use an all-over acne treatment at night, but in the morning I use a spot treatment to target pimples [7] under my face mask. The Perricone MD Acne Relief Maximum Strength Spot Gel [8] ($19) contains salicylic acid and tea tree oil to fight breakouts and address redness.
Morning Skin-Care Routine For Maskne: Moisturiser
In the summer I always switch my moisturiser from a rich cream to a gel formula, but this year it was especially important. The Murad Clarifying Oil-Free Water Gel [9] ($44) is an oil-free moisturiser that's great for blemishes and oiliness, while also giving your skin a boost of lightweight hydrating.
Morning Skin-Care Routine For Maskne: Sunscreen
Even with a face mask, sunscreen is important so I apply the Hydra Lipid UV Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40+ [10] ($36) all over my face. It's a lightweight mineral sunscreen that's infused with hyaluronic acid. It goes on smooth and doesn't feel greasy, which is a must for wearing a face masks.
Daily Makeup Routine For Maskne: Primer
In the early stages of working from home, I skipped primer all together. I thought, did I really need to extend the wear of my makeup if I wasn't going to be wearing it that long? (No.) But after the maskne started I found using mattifying helpful in controlling oil, especially from building up around my chin and mouth, so I started using the Smith & Cult Blackdrop Charcoal Brightening Primer [11] ($32).
Daily Makeup Routine For Maskne: Tinted Moisturiser
While I still wasn't keen on using foundation in my makeup routine everyday, I needed something with a bit more coverage than just the tinted sunscreen I was using pre-COVID-19. That's where the Erborian BB Cream Tinted Moisturiser Broad Spectrum SPF20 [12] ($39) came in. It's lightweight but it adds a bit of coverage to my "problem" areas.
Daily Makeup Routine For Maskne: Concealer
I've sworn by the Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer [13] ($34) for months, but the way I apply it has changed. When I'm going to be putting on a face mask immediately after, I don't apply the concealer to the lower half of my face in an effort to allow my skin to breathe as much as possible.
Daily Makeup Routine For Maskne: Powder
Face powder is something I ditch in the winter but always add back into my routine in the summer to keep shine away. I use the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder [14] ($39) to set the makeup around my nose, under my eyes, and on my chin [15], paying extra attention to the area under my mask.
Daily Makeup Routine For Maskne: Bronzer
Bronzer is always a must for warming up my complexion, and wearing a face mask is no exception. While most people probably can't see my sculpted cheekbones, I apply this one for me. The Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Matte Bronzer [16] ($55) is my favourite for a natural glow.
Using a fluffy eyeshadow brush, I use the same bronzer shade as eyeshadow to warm up my eyes. This time-saving and multi-use hack is a staple in my makeup routine.
Daily Makeup Routine For Maskne: Blush
I've always been told that blush is key to a healthy-looking complexion and that feels even more important in a world with the coronavirus. Just a quick swipe of the Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush in Summertime Wine [17] ($20) helps me look more awake and refreshed.
Daily Makeup Routine For Maskne: Mascara
You've heard it a million times this year, but right now it's all about the eyes. Where I used to run out of the house without mascara if it was just for a quick errand, now I wouldn't even think of skipping it. I'm not a big eyeliner person so my mascara really carries the weight of my entire eye makeup look and the Urban Decay Lash Freak Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara [18] ($25) makes my eyes pop with just two quick coats.
Daily Makeup Routine For Maskne: Brow Gel
Eyebrows have always been important to me but I've been letting them grow out while social distancing [19] which has eliminated the need to fill in the ends with a pencil. (If there's one good thing to come out of this time at home, this is it.) The Thrive Causemetics Instant Brow Fix Semi-Permanent Eyebrow Gel [20] ($24) helps me brush them up and keep them in place with minimal effort. And there you have it, I'm done and ready to take on my day, mask in tow.
