Here’s How I’ve Cured My Mask-Acne “Maskne"

Mask-acne? 'Maskne’? I got you cover! There’s one skincare product I added into my daily routine and within 2 weeks my mask-acne discoloration/dark spots have fully faded away (and best of all, no more mask-acne!!!). It’s an easy step that I started to use daily but now only use about 3x a week for preventative measures. Continue reading to learn how I cured my 'Maskne'

2020 has done major skincare damage to all ages, races, and social classes. People who rarely break out are now seeing stress related (and mask related) acne and people who already suffer from acne are developing even more at a rapid pace. It's depressing, stressful, and an insecurity trait that many are starting to develop as well. 

My backstory on my acne - a few in my teen years (nothing major) and a few in college/adult life when I forget to wash my makeup off. Overall, I’m lucky. But when 2020 hit things changed. I found out 6 months into 2020 I was allergic to certain facial masks - these allergy attacks left my skin raw, swollen, in rashes, itchy, and mask-acne. Once I found masks that didn’t swell up my face I still seen acne spots… but not the usual ones. These were packing a serious punch and leaving discoloration that stuck around for weeks (some over a month) after the acne spot went away. 

It took ALL of 2020 to find out what skincare works best for these situations and below I will tell you the EXACT products I’m using to treat my mask-acne. Don’t feel obligated to buy these exact items - Honestly, this is my normal skincare routine but 1 particular product was added into the mix and that is where I believe my skin had the greatest improvement. I’ll also indicate exactly what to look for in skincare products that I recommend for helping improve your skin. These have worked for me and I’m so happy to finally have a skincare routine to target the mask-acne.

MAJOR TIPS TO DO DAILY:
- Cleanse skin both morning and night.
- At Night do a Double Cleanse.
- Remove all Makeup.
- Don’t pick acne spots.
- Drink more water.

Morning Routine to remove Mask-acne:
For the morning I start with a quick and simple skincare wash. I use the Beauty Bio The Balance Cleanser. I wash my face 1x with this. I pat dry. I apply a light moisturizer. On days I don’t have to wear makeup - I don’t. I feel this helps give my skin the ability to heal too!

Night Routine to remove Mask-acne:
Only if I have makeup on I use the Elemis Cleansing Balm to remove my makeup. If I’m not wearing makeup I use a simple micellar water to get any dirt off my skin. I then DOUBLE cleanse with Beauty Bio The Balance Cleanser. The first cleanse I work into my skin (with my hands or a cleansing brush), the second cleanse I just quickly wash over one last time. Once I pat my skin dry I use Dr Dennis Gross Extra Strength Daily Peel. **** This is the MOST IMPORTANT step & where I believe my mask-acne went away. I did this daily for 2 weeks***. Once I completed the peel I use a light lotion on top. 

My ingredient list of day and night routine is followed:
- Beauty Bio Balance Cleanser *if you dont want to invest in this just find a good PH balancing cleanser!*
- Elemis Cleansing Balm
- La Mer Micellar Water *you can use any brand of micellar water*
- Dr Dennis Gross Daily Peel *there’s 3 options, select the one that works for you!*
- Beauty Bio ZenBubble or The Quench or the Elemis Pro-Collagen lotion *you can use any light lotion that is oil free*

The only product I feel is a must from the list is the Dr Dennis Gross Peel Pads. These are targeted to get rid of acne of all forms and to get rid of discoloration and hyperpigmentation, plus fine lines and wrinkles. There’s been LOTS of clinical studies on this product and the before and after images provided on the official website is incredible too! When I started to use these on a daily; it's when I noticed the biggest and fasted results. Now that I fully have my Mask-acne or “Maskne” under control I’m now able to use these Dr Dennis Gross Daily Pads 3-4x a week just for a preventative measure.
All the other items I am using daily as a basic skincare routine and have been using for well over a year now. I also suggest lotions without oil if you’re suffering with acne. 

I hope this helps! If you’ve used Dr Dennis Gross skincare before what is your favorite product?

I’m also posting links to all the products mentioned if you would like to shop my routine! 

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Beauty Empties: Skincare Edition

So 2020 I went through A LOT of skincare. And as I ran out of a bottle - I simply tossed it into this grey basket (the basket is now COMPLETELY full of empties products). So each month I plan to go through and review the items in small groups of 5-7 items. If you follow me on Instagram I’ll also film very short 30 second Reels video but these blog posts will be more detailed review on if I enjoyed the product, would purchase it again, and the gritty details like cost and such. 

Items that I’m able to link up at the Liketoknowit widget at the bottom of the page I will! Items I can’t link up I’ll mention at the end of the review. 

Tan Again - The Tan Again Tanning lotion I purchased to test out because a fellow Instagramer created the product and I wanted to support her launch. Its a great lotion with natural ingredients and one of the largest bottles I’ve seen for tanning (7.1 fl oz). I bought the kit which included a mitt and exfoliant mitt. The only downfall with Tan Again is the color did transfer and stained my bedding. Also since it is all natural if you don't constantly keep it refrigerated it WILL turn green. I also read reviews that people claim its not sticky but mine was. Would I purchase again? Meh, not sure. I love supporting small businesses so I feel pulled to shop this product but at the same time I don’t like my white bedding is permanently stained and keeping a product in the fridge isn’t ideal for me.

Tan Again Cost: The 3 piece kit is right under $60

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads - These have been a cult classic of mine. If you ever need a skincare recommendation I will tell you this is in my top 3. These are safe to use daily and its a toner, exfoliant, and brightening pad. There’s 2 container size options and you see real results. I love FAB skincare products because it’s safe for sensitive skin and skin with conditions like Eczema. These are perfect to use after cleansing and before applying your lotion at night time - but could definitely be used first thing in the morning if you prefer. 

FAB Racial Pads Cost: $18-36

The Zenbubble by Beauty Bio - I’m a fan. I’m a HUGE fan of Beauty Bio. In fact I wish they would sponsor me (LOL nahh I would promote this for free everyday). Zenbubble is what my skin needed and was a lifesaver throughout 2020 for me. This lotion is a calming skin shield. Its SUPER safe for sensitive skin (in fact its MADE for sensitive skin!) so if you have any skin conditions this will be you're bestie. I remember when this was about to be launched the Beauty Bio team stated this is the perfect shield to protect your skin from the daily elements and pollutants we expose our skin to each day. When 2020 showed its true colors Zenbubble helped keep my skin calm with all the harsh mask wearing and stress I was under. Its a lightweight gel formula in a contactless pump container. I will SO purchase this again!

Zenbubble Cost: $65

Peace Out Wrinkle Patches - the wrinkle patches is a dream product that sadly doesn’t come true. I didn’t see any real results with these BUT I feel it totally is possible to get results if you are able to dish out the money to use these daily for an extended period of time (I would say 3-5x a week for 3 months at least!). The ingredients to see a reduction in fine lines/wrinkles is in this product. But for the 6 patches it’s not enough to make a small dent. Please save your money on this one and put it towards a good Hyaluronic Acid serum or Retinol night cream instead!

Peace Out Wrinkle 6 patch kit Cost: $28

Jouer Lip Serum - This balm is in a glossy light pink color with a soft rose scent. Its a hydrating serum that is supposed to plump lips and help reduce fine lines along your lips as well. The package also suggest to use this like a nighttime lip balm too. Sadly for me I think there is other lip serums that will pack a better punch on the plumping and fine line reducing than this one. For me the texture and taste of this just didnt feel right (I would wipe it off after 5 minutes and put on a different balm/serum). For me I would highly recommend some other lip products before this one (Beauty Bio The Pout is perfect for plumping and Laneige lip sleep mask for a nighttime balm). I will not be purchasing this again.

Jouer Lip Serum Cost: $17

Pacifica Kale Detox - This was a drugstore find that honestly was a low blow when it came to the cost. The cost of this you could find boutique face cleansers for similar prices! I will say the product was easy to use and didn’t do any negative effects on my skin... But it did have a STRONG veggie smell to it. If you want a veggie type cleanser that just has a bit more of a luxury feel and more satisfying experience + results I suggest Elemis SuperFood Cleanser. This one also has that earthy type smell but for me just seemed to cleanse my skin better and left me feeling more refreshed. 

Kale Detox Cost: $14

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