Most of us have been forced to adopt a new language this year: the language of the pandemic. From “social distancing”, “new normal” and “furlough” to “flatten the curve”, “WFH” and “household bubble”, we’ve collectively spurted a whole dictionary’s worth of new phrases specific to the coronavirus. But the latest word in the covid lexicon? That would be “maskne”.

What is maskne? Maskne is the zeitgeist term for a particular form of acne that people have been experiencing in response to having to don a mask every time they leave the house to shop for food, visit a friend, run errands, or simply walk the dog. Whilst it is of course vital to wear a mask when encountering people outside your household, dermatologists blame the warm and humid environment behind the protective mask, and the increased sweat and oily sebum production that this encourages, for the increase in the number of people experiencing inflammation, irritation and angry breakouts. Unfortunately, the area of the face that a mask covers - the nose, mouth, and chin - are the very same areas that are naturally most prone to breakouts. If you’re already an acne-prone person, you’ll need to take extra care to keep your skin clean and clear. So how can you go about preventing maskne in the first place, and what can you do to treat maskne if you already have it?

There are a variety of factors that could be contributing to acne and breakouts right now, including a lack of Vitamin D, the stress and uncertainty of the current situation or a change in diet now that we’re working from home. When it comes to maskne specifically, it can indeed be caused by the hot and humid oil-encouraging conditions, but just as likely it could develop as a result of the friction between skin and mask or the transference of bacteria from the fabric of the mask onto your face. Whilst there are a few reasons that maskne is so prevalent right now, one thing is for certain, and that is that the pandemic is doing our skin zero favours.

Facialist to the stars, Nichola Joss, possesses a little black book that includes the likes of Scarlett Johansson and Gwyneth Paltrow and she regularly recommends the LYMA three-part system to her A-list clientele. Nichola is one of the world’s leading facialists and worked with LYMA to develop the cutting-edge laser system. Nichola explains that 15 minutes of use per day will do more than merely improve your skin’s appearance; it will transform your skin so completely as to result in it being totally renewed.

Cosmetic surgeon and LYMA Aesthetic Director, Dr Graeme Glass, PhD, says: “The LYMA Laser is one of the most exciting and innovative products to have been developed for the purpose of skin rejuvenation: The LYMA Laser captures the efficacy of a laser-based light therapy previously only available in the clinic setting and safely delivers it into the hands of the consumer for use at home”.

In addition to washing your face thoroughly before and after wearing a mask, and double cleansing morning and night, you should also consider skipping heavy pore-clogging products and make-up.

To really augment the use of The LYMA Laser and to further enhance visible results, the at home laser system can be used in conjunction with the world renowned LYMA nutraceutical formula. LYMA’s formula is recognised industry-wide as having set a new benchmark for beauty-boosting supplements.

LYMA contains Cynatine® HNS - the world’s first solubilised keratin and described as “The holy grail of beauty” - and Lycored Lycopene™ - a potent carotenoid with powerful acne-fighting potential. The LYMA formula primes the skin from within to help you look and feel like your best and most confident self. When the LYMA Formula is combined with daily use of The LYMA Laser, the at home beauty-boosting results are guaranteed to herald a new dawn for your skin.