Masks and facial breakouts.

[Bella the Ball 360]

I could swear I posted this but now I cannot find it. I am having a horrible time with my face breaking out due to my mask. I have rosacea and normally I use doxycycline. I cannot use this med in the summer if I spend any time in the sun. My face is so broken out just in the spot that my mask covers. I use a clean mask and put on saylicylic acid. Does anyone have any suggestions? I have a tele med with my derm dr on Wednesday but I am hoping for something that does not involve antibiotics that I can run by him. I am also using a toner w/ tea tree oil and aloe.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

What about a little talcum powder to cut down on the friction? Maybe the medicated one like Gold Bond? I don’t think anyone would really notice it if you just put it where the mask makes contact. They do sell the little containers of that powder in the Travel section.

 

[Nox]

Have you ever tried azelaic acid? The Ordinary sells one that works wonders for me (I have a very small area of rosacea on my left cheek) without the drying of salicylic.

 

[Jennasis]

Are you using paper masks? I thought I read that paper mask have thin layer of latex in them somewhere so if you have a latex allergy you may be having a reaction to the mask itself.

 

[ORD2KOA]

How miserable! UGH.

Do you get any adverse reaction when you use a Kleenex or Puffs tissue? If not, try folding a tissue and put it inside your mask. In addition to not allowing the mask to touch your skin, it should also absorb the moisture from your breath and if you wear glasses, it'll keep them from fogging.

Also, what are your masks made of? Are they cotton or a synthetic? Maybe try to change the type of mask?

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Have you ever tried azelaic acid? The Ordinary sells one that works wonders for me (I have a very small area of rosacea on my left cheek) without the drying of salicylic.

I have both the ordinary one and the prescription one (Finacea sp?). It takes away redness but derm said it will not stop the breakouts.

Ty for your help.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Are you using paper masks? I thought I read that paper mask have thin layer of latex in them somewhere so if you have a latex allergy you may be having a reaction to the mask itself.

I have tried both paper and cloth and even silk bc they were advertised as being better for your skin.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Are you using paper masks? I thought I read that paper mask have thin layer of latex in them somewhere so if you have a latex allergy you may be having a reaction to the mask itself.

I have tried both paper and cloth and even silk bc they were advertised as being better for your skin.

How miserable! UGH.

Do you get any adverse reaction when you use a Kleenex or Puffs tissue? If not, try folding a tissue and put it inside your mask. In addition to not allowing the mask to touch your skin, it should also absorb the moisture from your breath and if you wear glasses, it'll keep them from fogging.

Also, what are your masks made of? Are they cotton or a synthetic? Maybe try to change the type of mask?

I will try this. My masks are every type under the sun, cotton, silk, paper and the cotton jersey ones. Ty

 

[SamFaniam]

You might try the Aveeno make up removing wipes, to help calm your skin down. I don’t actually wear make up but do find the wipes are very soothing and cooling in the summertime.

 

[focusondisney]

I’m an RN & have to wear a mask for my 12 hour shifts. My rosacea has been horrible since this started. Heat is a huge aggravating factor for rosacea. So just wearing any kind of mask keeps the heat in & causes issues. I don’t notice much difference with any kind of mask. They all cause some heat retention against your face.

I haven’t used meds for mine in years but may need to go back for prescriptions soon. In the meantime, I have been using milk of magnesia as a lotion. I read about it in a newspaper pharmacy column. I have used it for flares over the last couple of years. I just take a little & massage it in twice a day. Also be careful about facial soaps. I use Aveeno Ultra Calming which has botanicals that help with redness & irritation.

Edit: As PP suggested, I use the Aveeno calming makeup wipes too.

 

[AustinTink]

I would stay away from anything scented at this point. Even Aveeno "calming" products have a mild scent. Try the Aveeno line designed for eczema sufferers. It's unscented and really works. I have rosacea and use the cream on my face. It soothes and doesn't clog pores. I don't have any rosacea redness at all anymore since switching to it.

Since I have sensitive skin, I only use lightweight 100% cotton face masks. The jersey ones were too hot. The weaved, soft cotton masks by Vera Bradley are perfect. I forget I have them on.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I’m an RN & have to wear a mask for my 12 hour shifts. My rosacea has been horrible since this started. Heat is a huge aggravating factor for rosacea. So just wearing any kind of mask keeps the heat in & causes issues. I don’t notice much difference with any kind of mask. They all cause some heat retention against your face.

I haven’t used meds for mine in years but may need to go back for prescriptions soon. In the meantime, I have been using milk of magnesia as a lotion. I read about it in a newspaper pharmacy column. I have used it for flares over the last couple of years. I just take a little & massage it in twice a day. Also be careful about facial soaps. I use Aveeno Ultra Calming which has botanicals that help with redness & irritation.

Edit: As PP suggested, I use the Aveeno calming makeup wipes too.

Thank you so much this is the kind of advice I have been looking for. I did not even realize that they still sold Milk of Magnesia. I will aslo try the Aveeno Ultra. I only wear the mask when absolutely necessary but I have been using neutrogena face wash the orange one. I had stopped using my prescription too because I was doing well except for my nose for some reason. I also used a charcoal mask. NONE of which worked.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I would stay away from anything scented at this point. Even Aveeno "calming" products have a mild scent. Try the Aveeno line designed for eczema sufferers. It's unscented and really works. I have rosacea and use the cream on my face. It soothes and doesn't clog pores. I don't have any rosacea redness at all anymore since switching to it.

Since I have sensitive skin, I only use lightweight 100% cotton face masks. The jersey ones were too hot. The weaved, soft cotton masks by Vera Bradley are perfect. I forget I have them on.

Thanks for this. I do not know why but I never even think about the Aveeno line. The Finacea burns and makes it feel worse.

 

[JenBush]

I second using a makeup wipe to wipe down your face from time to time. Also if you are wearing cloth masks that you wash between wears, use a gentle or baby detergent. My friend was using a scented detergent and after switching to a gentle baby detergent to wash her masks her face no longer broke out when she wore her mask.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I second using a makeup wipe to wipe down your face from time to time. Also if you are wearing cloth masks that you wash between wears, use a gentle or baby detergent. My friend was using a scented detergent and after switching to a gentle baby detergent to wash her masks her face no longer broke out when she wore her mask.

GREAT! Thank you. I wish someone could invent a mask for people who suffer from this. I am sure they will. I just wish it was sooner than later.

 

[NotUrsula]

Another possibile aggravating factor that I'm surprised no one mentioned is the detergent you are using to wash them. Make sure to use one that is free of dyes and scents, and do not use any fabric softener in the laundry. If you are hand-washing them, add white vinegar to the rinse water to remove all traces of soap.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I also have rosacea and am also an RN wearing a surgical mask (Or N95) for 13 hrs at a time. Additionally, I wear cotton masks while out and about in daily life, living in a mask-mandatory state. I feel fortunate reading this thread that I have not had any outbreaks from my masks. The only thing I use on my face is pink or white Dove soap, and sometimes Oil of Olay Complete. No other products I’ve tried have agreed with my skin as much as that combination. Fortunately I was blessed with pretty good skin from the gene pool. I do have flagyl cream but I don’t always use it. DS had acne as a teen and he’s the one here breaking out a little from the masks. Hopefully everyone finds what works for them. Personally I would try the powder to decrease the friction from the mask. I think a different detergent is a good idea, too.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I also have rosacea and am also an RN wearing a surgical mask (Or N95) for 13 hrs at a time. Additionally, I wear cotton masks while out and about in daily life, living in a mask-mandatory state. I feel fortunate reading this thread that I have not had any outbreaks from my masks. The only thing I use on my face is pink or white Dove soap, and sometimes Oil of Olay Complete. No other products I’ve tried have agreed with my skin as much as that combination. Fortunately I was blessed with pretty good skin from the gene pool. I do have flagyl cream but I don’t always use it. DS had acne as a teen and he’s the one here breaking out a little from the masks. Hopefully everyone finds what works for them. Personally I would try the powder to decrease the friction from the mask. I think a different detergent is a good idea, too.

Ask for a PAPR instead of the N95.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Ask for a PAPR instead of the N95.

What for? I don’t have a problem with the masks.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I also have rosacea and am also an RN wearing a surgical mask (Or N95) for 13 hrs at a time. Additionally, I wear cotton masks while out and about in daily life, living in a mask-mandatory state. I feel fortunate reading this thread that I have not had any outbreaks from my masks. The only thing I use on my face is pink or white Dove soap, and sometimes Oil of Olay Complete. No other products I’ve tried have agreed with my skin as much as that combination. Fortunately I was blessed with pretty good skin from the gene pool. I do have flagyl cream but I don’t always use it. DS had acne as a teen and he’s the one here breaking out a little from the masks. Hopefully everyone finds what works for them. Personally I would try the powder to decrease the friction from the mask. I think a different detergent is a good idea, too.

HI Pea-n-Me if I remember correctly and you have not moved we live in same state so I feel like you understand the climate too. Do you use Gold Bond powder or just something like a corn starch based baby powder?