The year 2020 has brought us many problems, and one of them is maskne. I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that it’s been such a drag! No matter how perfect my skincare routine is, just wearing masks so often for long periods of time causes pimples to form up where the masks rubs on it. Of course, there’s the extra humidity because of our breath and sweat, so my skin gets irritated easily. Dermatologist Nikki Paderna wrote about maskne in her PV column and her tips have helped me deal with it!

More than just serving as overnight relief, it’s now common to wear acne patches even during the day. We now have patch options that are thin and almost invisible, with some claiming to even be wearable under makeup! If you feel self-conscious about an angry red bump, covering it with an acne patch before applying a face base allows it to heal better compared to direct contact with makeup. But will it actually work? 

Have you ever had a pimple suddenly show up right before an important event? Now, I’m the kind of person who doesn’t usually have acne (because of my dry skin) but I’ve gotten Super Bad Timing Pimples more than a few times! It’s the kind of situation that makes you feel extra desperate to try every single spot treatment available, or maybe even consider popping the pustule with the fervent hope that it doesn’t leave a lasting scar. We all want a quick fix, even just for normal days, because who wants to be seen with pimples?

One of the first things I really got into when I started my own skincare journey were clay masks. Since figuring out I had oily skin, I thought clay masks would suit my skin type best. Regular use of clay mask has definitely helped manage my oiliness and my breakouts. More than that, I always feel like I’m enjoying a mini spa session whenever I have one on!

Origins has been on my radar ever since I got to sample their Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask from this year’s PV Anniversary kit. I really liked it, so I was pretty excited two more clay masks from Origins!

When I was in high school and makeup was forbidden, my classmates and I got our beauty kick by being extra enthusiastic about skincare. During lunch breaks, face washes, moisturizers, and lip balms were whipped out of school bags and shared or traded. We only had our student allowances then so purchases were carefully budgeted. If only it were available then, we would’ve appreciated the compact and inexpensive skincare products of Fresh Skinlab!