Pandemic Pimple Problems?

It’s nothing new. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, people around the world are told to stay at home and wear masks in public areas. Yet, in addition to the virus, teens and adults alike are facing a range of skin dilemmas. Pandemic stress and prolonged exposure to personal protective equipment, such as masks, have caused several skin problems such as rashes, itchiness, and, most commonly, acne. A survey conducted by the research firm Dynata found that 55 percent of people under 25 reported experiencing more acne since the pandemic began.

In fact, the term "maskne," a combination of mask and acne, refers to skin irritation around the chin and cheeks as a result of frequent mask-wearing. Moisture between the mask and skin creates the ideal living conditions for harmful bacteria to collect. Additionally, oil and dead skin cells clog pores, preventing the skin from breathing normally, which causes the skin to become inflamed and break out. Maskne was especially intense during the summer since sweat was also trapped underneath masks. Skin irritation caused by friction or pressure to the skin, as created by masks, is known as acne mechanica and can worsen pre-existing acne or cause acne for those who never had it.

However, in addition to masks, pandemic-related stress, such as worrying about a loved one, feeling cooped up, or dealing with finances, also affects the skin. In fact, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Census Bureau released a study revealing that one in three Americans have experienced increased stress, anxiety, or depression since April of 2020. Skin problems occur because stress hormones cause an increase in the production of sebum, a thick oily substance that can clog pores. When feeling stressed, some also tend to pick at their skin blemishes, which exacerbates the issue.

A lack of exercise can also be attributed to deteriorating skin conditions. Though many now have time to exercise, some struggle to find the motivation. Especially with the recent lockdowns and stay-at-home orders, others also lack the resources for daily fitness. Thus, several studies have found that the average amount of daily exercise has sharply decreased for adults. Our normal routines before the pandemic helped keep us in shape. Though it did not seem like much, walking to the subway station, standing in a subway car, and climbing the broken Stuyvesant escalators benefited our skin.

Undoubtedly, our daily habits have drastically changed and negatively impacted our skin. One habit many picked up is binge-eating. Sugary and fatty foods increase acne flare-ups since they can increase blood sugar levels. Additionally, since school and work shifted online, people are more likely to lean closer to their devices and touch their faces with dirty hands, further aggravating the skin.

As acne affects up to 85 percent of teens, many have struggled with acne prior to the pandemic. An anonymous sophomore experienced severe acne in middle school. Upon coming to Stuyvesant, she was relieved to see that her skin cleared up. Unfortunately, after enjoying less than a year of clear skin, the pandemic caused her acne to relapse due to pandemic-related stress and mask-wearing. “It’s very frustrating to look at my skin in the mirror. I try to go on daily walks, exercise regularly, eat healthy […] but nothing seems to ever work. Now that I notice it, my mask gets fairly moist. The [most affected skin is the] area around my cheeks. Pimples, acne scars, random bumps, you name it,” she said in an e-mail interview. “All those acne products (at least the ones I’ve tried) aren’t very helpful either. They just burn off my skin and leave it looking redder than ever.”

Though not wearing a mask is not a viable solution, there are methods to help prevent maskne. As my mother says, if you're going out for a long period of time, bring a couple of spare masks just in case one gets sweaty. Furthermore, take off your mask when it is safe to give your skin some breathing time. Still, make sure to wash your mask with antibacterial soap daily. Additionally, wash your face at least twice a day, especially after wearing a mask. Avoid touching your face even if you think your hands are clean because they probably are not. Also, avoid makeup as no one can see your face underneath the mask anyway.

A simple solution to relieve pandemic-related stress is to turn to calming exercises, such as yoga and meditation. Another is performing aerobic and cardio exercises, which can increase blood flow, allowing more oxygen and nutrients to be delivered throughout the body, including the skin. This also helps rid waste products such as cellular debris from the body.

To those struggling, the anonymous student said, “Don’t stress about your acne. It’s a rollercoaster of going from clear skin one day and to looking like those bumpy pumpkins another. You are not alone. Don’t let it get you down. Instead, be that person who accepts their acne and looks cool doing it. Eventually, it goes away. It really does.”

So as we continue to live in such a world state, we must not let small issues like acne stop us from achieving greater things.