Acne

10 of the best acne products to fight face mask-induced breakouts

Murad Clarifying Oil-Free Water Gel

This non-comedogenic gel moisturiser is a must for maskne sufferers, helping to prevent breakouts while soothing and hydrating the skin. The formula consists of salicylic acid, which exfoliates pores; ginger root extract to calm irritations; and sustained-release hyaluronic acid to strengthen the skin’s barrier and enhance its ability to retain water. It also includes Korean red pine extract to prevent the formation of blemishcausing bacteria by blocking the way that “bad” bacteria communicate with one another.

Trade: £20.58 020 7870 4813 murad.co.uk

Image Skincare Clear Cell Restoring Serum

This oil-free, lightweight serum is a great addition to clients’ skincare regimes as it increases hydration and healing within the skin, kills bacteria, and brings down inflammation surrounding spots and irritation without using acid. Vitamin B6 derivative works to restore the skin’s overall healthy balance by minimising pore size, shine and sebum production, helping to prevent breakouts, while botanicals aloe barbadensis leaf juice and liquorice extract reduce the appearance of irritation.

Trade: £28 0345 504 0461 imageskincare.co.uk

Nimue Prebiotic SuperFluid

Nimue’s Prebiotic SuperFluid should be your go-to in the treatment of clients’ acne-prone skin, whose compromised skin barrier has been worsened by wearing a tight face covering. The concentrate contains polysaccharides, which feed the good bacteria on the skin to give them the optimal chance of fighting P.acnes, and has an ultra-thin microcapsule to ensure even distribution, penetration and absorption of the actives into the dermis. The product can be used during a facial, under a mask or mixed into a peel, for problematiic skins.

Trade: £29.95 0333 000 7000 (S2) sweetsquared.com

Dermalogica Active Clay Cleanser

Clients who have maskinduced acne should be reaching for this charcoalbased cleanser to manage the disruption caused to the skin’s protective barrier. It’s formulated with oil-absorbing kaolin clay, impurity-fighting activated binchotan charcoal, botanical lipids and murumuru seed, which promote a healthy microbiome and protect the skin’s natural lipid barrier, so breakouts are kept under control while the skin’s resilience increased. It also contains a bioflavonoid-rich complex of citrus, aloe and broccoli extract to purify pores.

Trade: £17 0800 917 7147 dermalogica.co.uk

Germaine de Capuccini Purexpert Oil-Free Hydro-Mattifying Gel-Cream

This oil-free moisturiser has been formulated with natural ingredients to treat the symptoms of maskne. It regulates excess oil in the skin, helping to prevent breakouts and mattify the complexion, as well as soothing irritation and dryness using the brand’s oil-reduction phytocomplex - a functional prebiotic ingredient which is a fusion between manuka and willow extract, as well as micro-sponges enriched with lactic acid and a hydrating sugar net.

Trade: £18.80 0845 600 0203 germaine-de-capuccini.co.uk

Medik8 Blemish SOS

This treatment gel works quickly to diminish blemishes caused by maskne while remaining completely invisible on the skin with no dry residue. Infused with salicylic acid and soothing niacinamide, the dual-action formula clears pores and calms inflammation to promote a healthy complexion. It is also enriched with azelaic acid to fight blemish-causing bacteria and dioic acid to control oil production, making it ideal for targeting individual blemishes or problem areas.

Trade: £19 medik8.com

Outback Organics Skin Wash

This soap-free, foaming cleanser is perfect for maskne sufferers as it combines the natural antibacterial and antiinflammatory properties of organic tea tree oil with mountain pepper extract and peppermint oil to clean pores, eliminate bacteria, soothe irritation and control oil production without stripping or drying the skin. The product is vegan-friendly and can be used on the face and body.

Trade: £2.95 01823 663322 outbackorganics.co.uk

Eve Taylor Clarifying Skin Wash

This purifying cleanser from Eve Taylor’s newly relaunched acne range is formulated to aid congestion and help breakout-prone skin get back to a happy and healthy state. Glycolic acid exfoliates the surface skin, salicylic acid releases trapped sebum in the follicles that can lead to breakouts, the anti-inflammatory properties of peppermint reduce redness and calm irritations, and essential oil of tea tree assists in reducing congestion caused by maskne.

Trade: £10.28 01733 260161 eve-taylor.com

Environ Focus Care Clarity+ Sebu-Clear Masque

This low-pH acid cream masque contains a combination of exfoliating acids to clear the appearance of existing breakouts by improving the skin’s ability to rejuvenate. The formulation includes lactic acid, which assists in hydrating the skin; salicylic acid, which penetrates pores to deeply clean; and tea tree leaf oil, which helps to accelerate wound healing.

Trade: £21.50 020 8450 2020 (IIAA) Iiaa.eu

Elemis Herbal Lavender Repair Mask

This calming clay mask is a skincare must for clients suffering with sensitive, blemish-prone skin. Soothing rosemary, thyme and lavender essential oils are blended with kaolin to purify dull and congested complexions, while helping to nourish and rebalance the skin. Clients should use it twice a week for maximum benefit, but it can also be left on localised areas as an overnight treatment - great for maskne breakouts.

RRP: £33.50 0117 316 1888 elemis.com