Maskne is the term used to describe skin irritation caused by wearing a face mask. Since the start of the pandemic, maskne cases have increased, causing people to wonder how to treat and prevent it. Ahead are the best tips to prevent maskne at home.

As we enter year three of living with the COVID-19 pandemic, one thing has become very clear: our sense of "normalcy" has definitely shifted. While certain aspects of our lives have gone back to normal — see: some travel and being able to meet with people in person again — others have not. Particularly, the use of face masks in our everyday lives.

Aside from being essential in the reducing the spread of COVID, masks have had some other unintended perks. For example, some people realized they also helped to keep the common flu away as well. However, there have also been some adverse reactions to wearing a piece of fabric on the face for hours on end. Enter the dreaded "mask-ne."

"Many people who never thought twice about the health of their skin or never had 'problem skin' are noting increased breakouts and skin irritation with daily mask-wearing," plastic surgeon Smita R. Ramanadham, MD, FACS, previously told POPSUGAR. But what exactly is maskne? According to Healthline, "maskne" is an umbrella term for several skin conditions that can stem from wearing a face mask. These conditions can include acne, rosacea, contact dermatitis, atopic eczema, and periofacial dermatitis, amongst others. Masks can exacerbated these conditions in people who've already experience them, but they can also come about for the first time in people with otherwise "normal" skin.

Because face masks aren't going anywhere any time soon, we rounded up the best tips to treat maskne from home, ahead.

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