As we continue riding the wave of the pandemic, it’s starting to look like we’ll all have to continue wearing masks for a little longer. But if you’re like me, this heavy mask usage has contributed to a pesky problem besetting many fellow Singaporeans – mask acne, or maskne.
For me, the irritation from having a piece of fabric rub against sensitive skin throughout the day, coupled with heavy oil and sebum production has resulted in tiny bumps and pimples along my jawline. Even efforts like switching to more skin-friendly silk masks have done little to help alleviate the confidence-blowing onslaught of maskne.
If trying out different masks didn’t help to solve my maskne, maybe a change in skincare routine would. I was given the Bioderma Sebium Sensitive to try out for three weeks – a moisturiser that is said to soothe redness from skin inflammation and help reduce appearance of new pimples. Its formula would also provide hydration for the skin to control oil production that would cause acne.
Over the course of the next few weeks, I tried out the Bioderma Sebium Sensitive as part of a three-step skincare regimen recommended by Bioderma. The other two steps included the Bioderma Sebium Gel Moussant, a facial foaming cleanser, and the Bioderma Sebium Lotion, a hydrating and mattifying toner.
My sensitive skin had always caused me to look like I was blushing or had a bad sunburn, but I was surprised to learn that this was one of the first skin conditions that the Bioderma Sebium Sensitive moisturiser was able to treat.
Upon first application, my face did turn redder than before, but I chalked it up to my skin adjusting to the soothing active ingredients of Inflastop – enoxolone and ginkgo biloba extract. Within 20 minutes, the redness had faded away, while my overall complexion was noticeably less flushed.
By the end of the week, I no longer looked like I was embarrassed all the time. While my acne still persisted, at least the spots weren’t as obvious as before – progress.
I usually steered clear of cream moisturisers for fear of its heaviness clogging my pores. But the Bioderma Sebium Sensitive is a lightweight gel/cream hybrid that my dehydrated skin quickly soaked up.
With other moisturisers, my skin would feel sticky after application. By the end of the day, my face would be covered in a sheen of oil too. On the surface, it seems that I have oily skin, but past consultations with dermatologists have shown that my skin is on the drier side. Excess oil and sebum production was a way for my skin to overcompensate for the lack of moisture.
However, after two weeks of using Bioderma Sebium Sensitive, my skin was noticeably less shiny. I was also using the moisturiser with the Bioderma Sebium Lotion that contains notable ingredients such as glycerin, zinc gluconate, salicylic acid, capryloyl glycine and the Fluidactiv™ patented complex. This combination of ingredients worked to increase hydration, regulate sebum production and refine my skin’s texture.
I wasn’t expecting a miracle like perfectly clear skin by the end of my three-week trial, but my acne had significantly reduced.
My skin still did suffer from one or two spots because of heavy mask usage the week prior. By this time, dining regulations had been lifted for those who have been fully vaccinated, and I was making full use of my status to dine out as much as possible.
Re-wearing my mask after a greasy meal would have caused breakouts in the past, but I was experiencing fewer pimples than expected.
I tried out the Bioderma Sebium Gel Moussant during this time too, and experienced a deeper cleanse. Many cleansers for combination skin used to leave my face feeling dry and taut after use. With this foaming cleanser, dirt and oil were washed away, but without the stinging, itchy sensation of overly dry skin.
My skin is still adjusting to wearing masks constantly, and I still get the occasional breakout. However, I do feel that the use of all three products has helped to control a lot of the problems that were contributing to maskne, such as skin inflammation, excessive oil and sebum production.
With continued usage, I believe my maskne will continue to subside. This is at least making me feel better about the prolonged mask usage I’m expecting now that we’re all returning to the office, where masks have to be kept on the whole day.
If you suffer from maskne as well, and would like to try out the products, you can redeem a free Sebium sampling kit by signing up here. The Bioderma Sebium Sensitive, Sebium Gel Moussant and Sebium Lotion are available at official retailers: Guardian, LazMall, Shopee Mall, Unity, Watsons and Welcia-BHG.
This post was brought to you by Bioderma.
Photography by Ken and Tasha Sun.
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