
Best Korean Products to Treat Maskne in 2023
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One of the known problems caused by facial masks is the so-called “maskne,” also known as a facial breakout. In fact, facial masks impose friction and heat on the skin, and these elements, combined with breathing and talking, can lead to some serious skin breakouts.
If you are one of the millions of people affected by this problem, or if you want to prevent this to happen to you, keep reading: in this guide, I will tell you everything about maskne, and I will recommend you the best Korean products you can use to treat this condition and, overall, to avoid it.
Table of Contents
What is maskne?
Maskne is a term deriving from the combination of two words: mask + acne. Medically speaking, it defines what it is called “acne mechanical,” and it’s a specific type of acne triggered by excess heat, pressure, friction, or rubbing of the skin. The use of facial masks can lead to acne mechanica because the heat, the prolonged occlusion, and the sweat can lead to clogged pores, and inflamed blemishes can develop.
As you can easily notice, this type of acne is different from blemishes caused by hormones or hereditary issues, or even a bad lifestyle, and that’s why it has to be treated as such.
Read Also: Best Korean Products for Acne Prone Skin
How to prevent maskne?
A few simple adjustments can make a big difference in getting rid of maskne and stopping it from forming in the first place.
Here is some advice you should follow to prevent maskne:
- Make sure your face is clean when you apply the mask
- Wash your face as soon as you remove the mask
- Apply a moisturizer as soon as you remove the mask
- Avoid wearing makeup or reduce makeup
It would be best if you never quit on your skincare routine: do not skip your usual steps, and do not forget to keep using sunscreen to keep your face protected.
On top of this, you should also pay attention to your face mask to avoid contamination and maskne:
- Wash your mask frequently
- Touch the mask with your hands as little as possible
- Choose lightweight cotton or silk masks instead of polyester and rayon. If you cannot keep it up, keeping your mask clean and dry, opt for disposable masks.
6 Korean Products to Treat and Prevent Maskne
Taking good care of our skin is fundamental in preventing and treating the issues caused by face masks. Here are some Korean products that can help you out: you can either integrate them into your usual routine or replace your products with these to treat acne mechanica and prevent it from happening.
Banila Co Clean It Zero Purity
Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm is a hypoallergenic cleanser that transforms from a sherbet-like texture into smooth oil when applied to the skin. Developed to remove even waterproof makeup and all of the skin’s impurities in one step.
Neogen Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Lemon
These manual exfoliation pads are combined with chemical peeling to remove dead skin cells, excess sebum, and skin impurities while purifying the skin.
Click and Read the Neogen Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Lemon Review
Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Serum
The Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Serum is a moisturizing serum that fully hydrates deep within the skin. It makes the skin softer and replenished with moisture and keeps the skin radiant and glowing throughout the day. With its cooling features, it lowers the surface temperature as it deeply hydrates within the skin.
Nature Republic Soothing Moisture Aloe Vera Gel
The Nature Republic Soothing Moisture Aloe Vera Gel contains 92% aloe vera leaf extract, which provides a refreshing feel to the skin and moisturizing effects to the sensitive skin. It dissolves quickly and leaves the skin fresh and healthy.
Neogen Dermalogy Real Fresh Foam Cleanser Green Tea
This foam is perfect for cleansing your skin if irritated, and it uses the power of nature to clean the skin and hydrate it. Neogen claims that the product is made with 100% actual real fruit and real fruit extracts; for this reason, it doesn’t contain harmful ingredients or artificial pigments.
COSRX – Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser

A holy grail item for cleaning the face. The Salicylic Acid Daily Cleanser is gentle and refreshing, it doesn’t contain any oil, and it’s perfect for oily skin with acne. It contains salicylic acid and tea tree oil able to combat blemishes, remove excess oil and gently buff away dead skin cells, blackheads, whiteheads, and other impurities.
Is maskne seasonal?
Even though the hot temperatures can cause a bigger breakout, maskne can occur at any time of the year. It occurs when sweat, skin oils, and bacteria are trapped on the skin, which happens all year round while wearing your mask. So, even if you think that the cold weather will mitigate the mask induced acne or will put a stop to it, think twice: you will be breathing in your mask this winter, and this will cause sweating. Your pores will get clogged, and you may end up having maskne all over your face. Do not save on the best treatment for maskne and try to prevent it rather than curing it.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means that we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.