Masks and resulting skin problems

[IJustHadToNameChange]

I have combination skin - dry on the cheeks and jawline, greasy around the hairline and the traditional T zone.

I'm prone to blackheads and spots around the forehead, nose and chin and 'dry' pimples around the cheeks right up to the ears.

I'm over 50 and the spots are getting worse with menopause, with a large portion of my skincare being exfoliating salicylic acid, charcoal and a lot of the teen brands - Clearasil, Pure Active - that sort of thing

Add to this a tendency to contact dermatitis. My skin flares up on contact with new things (some very expensive failures in the past) and I've stuck with the same things for a few years.

Now along comes coronavirus.

My skin seems to be clogging up with more and more blackheads around where the mask has had contact, prolonged contact with antibacterial coatings is bring me out in rashes and my skin is simultaneously peeling off around my nose, with dry pimples across my cheeks and spots blackheads and generally lumpy skin everywhere else.

I'm even developing the odd cystic spot around my hairline.

I can't just keep exfoliating, the skin around my nose is raw and I can't carry on like this.

I have to wear masks for work and for public transport/shopping and I'm switching to cloth masks for 'out and about' - work requires a disposable 'medical' mask.

Is anyone in the same or a similar boat?

Does anyone have any ideas on how to improve the condition of my skin?

Gosh, poor you. I've been there.
Here's what helped me

No sugar no dairy low carb. - this is crucial
DIM supplement to balance hormones to stop spots
Gentle balm/cream based cleanser - Superdrug hot cloth cleanser is great - don't get one with any essential oils in
No actives for now - let your skin heal - throw out Clearasil etc.
Consider if you have rosacea across nose and cheeks - if so, ask GP for Soolantra cream
Use a gentle moisturiser - when my skin was like yours I found Clinique Moisture Surge effective
Carry masks with you and change to a new one every 2 hours - don't wear foundation/face makeup whilst wearing mask.
Do you have a good spf? I can recommend Etude House Airy Finish spf 50
When your skin calms down, get Aztek Clay powder from Amazon to use as a mask on blackhead areas 2 x week - only mix with water to start with - it's amazing.

I’d recommend you see a dermatologist. Your skin care routine sounds overly harsh to me for mature skin and may be causing most of your problems.
For example, too much exfoliation causes micro-abrasions which then can get infected causing rashes and acne.

For the masks, you need to ensure they are kept clean. Not sure why you are applying anti-bacterial coatings at all as they have zero effect on corona VIRUS. I agree with PP to not wear heavy/foundation makeup under where the mask is.

I’d see the dr, there’s so many treatments now & if you don’t knock it on the head now you’ll run the risk of scars.

I took roaccutane pre covid & still have red scars. I’m on dermatica now.

Try Dermashield. It’s an amazing light aerosol mousse that saved my face when I had to start wearing a full-on plastic mask around my nose at night due to sleep apnoea. It was recommended by the nurses at the sleep clinic. I just put a tiny bit on my skin where the mask would touch me. Totally stopped any redness and irritation.

It also acts as a barrier on your hands if you are doing tough jobs, like gardening etc. Can’t recommend it enough.

Nothing helps. Mind you, I’m coming up to month 4 of FPP3. The minute I think I start to clear up, I have another outbreak.

Sorry I sound gloomy, but, like you, I am so so fed up!

@PlanDeRaccordement we use antibacterial cream because under the mask becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, think moisture building up. Your mouth has more bacteria than your bum.

@AcornsTrustee thanks for the tip, I’ve ordered some

Thank you OP, I hadn’t thought of that for antibacterial cream. It makes perfect sense now you mention it. Perhaps you are allergic to an ingredient in the cream?

@BuddhaAtSea really hope it helps you. It’s very a light barrier mousse and just disappears into your skin. I have sensitive skin and it didn’t cause any reaction with me. Just so soothing.

Also recommended it to my friend who runs a cattery. Her hands were red raw and it did the trick for her too.

Ask your GP for Treclin. It's a mixture of an antibiotic for acne and 0.025 of tretinoin. Fantastic stuff! Other alternatives Skinoren 20% or Finacea 15% azelaic acid. Work well with acne. You can actually ask for both. Just make sure to wear sunblock in the morning.

Some of the masks are actually treated with an antibac coating - clearly, they have no antiviral action, but they're still being made.

I have a broad stripe across my face where the mask's metal band is closest to my face.

I'm looking into gentler cleansers, but every time I try, the blackheads and spots get worse.

I'll look into the suggestions so far. Thank you all.

No make-up.

We're not allowed to wear make-up where we work.