Wearing make-up under your facemask can lead to 2020s biggest skin condition – ‘Mascne.’

On The Pat Kenny Show this morning, dermatology nurse Selene Daly outlined the main causes of mascne and what you can do to prevent it.

“It is the most common skin condition for 2020 certainly,” she said.

“Mascne occurs when we are wearing our masks and we get overhydration and humidity within the area where the mask is.”

Ms Daly said mascne is no reason not to wear your mask, noting that there are a number of ways to prevent outbreaks.

First things first – make sure to wash your mask regularly.

“If you don’t wash your reusable mask regularly, bacteria builds up on the mask and can cause mascne as well,” she said.

“I am also washing with something that is non-oil based and hydrating or moisturising as well,” she said.

“I am using the Elave Skin Balancing one because it is cheap, readily available and everyone can use it. Use something light but non-greasy to wash your face and to moisturise.

“Don’t wear make-up under your mask. I have had to give up the make-up for about six months now – I have given up. No foundation because the more layers you have under your mask, the worse it will be.

“Do not wear any active moisturisers either. I am talking about Vitamin As or very active ingredients in your moisturiser because that will cause irritation too.

“So, keep it very simple, keep the make-up off and change your mask very regularly.”

She said it is especially important to moisturise during the cold weather.

“We are all kind of stuck indoors right now, it is warm outside so it important to rehydrate the skin,” she said.

You can listen back here: