Fighting Acne Through Silk Masks

Having bad skin is a confidence killer for many people, especially when trying your best to get rid of those facial bumps and acne. Unfortunately, this struggle of dealing with acne has worsened in the pandemic, brought about by wearing masks that aggravate the formation of acne. So, dealing with such skin concerns today is not easy, so if you are one of those who are trying to clear their skin, you know how difficult it can be.


(Source: Elements.envato.com)

As you may have known by now, there are a lot of different acne treatments and acne prevention methods available, whether in the clinics or at home. However, as a general rule, acne management involves taking prescribed medications and following healthy hygiene practices at all times. 

Recently, especially in the pandemic, there has been a rising appreciation for the role of silk masks in fighting against acne. Hence, this article is made for you if you are dealing with acne and are interested in learning how silk masks can help your skin problems.  

How do usual masks cause acne? 

Most nonmedical grade masks are made of a nonwoven mixture of fabrics such as cotton, flannel, and chiffon. These materials can exacerbate existing acne or stimulate the formation of new breakouts by clogging pores. In addition, these types of masks can trap a lot of hot air when you speak or breathe. This setting results in a warm and humid environment suitable for the growth of yeast, bacteria, and other microorganisms. In addition to this, sebum formation can also be stimulated, adding to the mix of acne-prone settings. 

Masks made out of cotton also cause friction due to repeated rubbing against the skin. This friction is not only bothersome to you but can also promote acne and rosacea flare-ups. Friction also causes the skin to be dry and itchy, resulting in the skin being red and flaky. It can also lead to the skin having some sores. With that, wearing masks made out of a mixture of fabrics such as cotton is not ideal if you are already struggling with acne. 

What are Silk face masks?

Now that you are familiar with why masks made out of cotton are not ideal because they can cause breakouts, it is time for you to be introduced to an alternative mask that can help you deal with your skin problems – the Silk face masks!

From its name itself, silk face masks are facial coverings made of silk. Most, if not all, silk is made out of the moth caterpillar known as Bombyx mori. The caterpillars spin cocoons required for their metamorphosis. The cocoons of these caterpillars are so strong that they can survive extremely harsh environmental conditions. In the last 12,000 years, people have utilized the abilities and characteristics of these cocoons to produce fabrics that are widely beneficial for humans, including for skin health. 

So how can Silk face masks help you deal with your acne? 

Silk face masks, and silk in general, have several advantages. It is antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial that can benefit you, especially if you are dealing with acne. To be more specific, here are some characteristics of Silk face masks that can help fight off acne.  

  1. Silk has antibacterial properties

    Acne causation is multifactorial; however, in most cases, this skin condition occurs when the entry points of hair follicles become congested and obstructed with dead skin cells and sebum. This setting becomes an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive. With that, the proliferation of these acne-causing bacteria is one of the major factors in the development of acne.

    Silk is famous for its antifungal and antibacterial properties. In fact, according to the study of Saviane et al. in 2018, cocoons of silkworms, and their resulting silk fibers, were able to elicit antibacterial properties. Several studies indicate that these antibacterial properties may be linked to the protein Sericin, which permits the linkage of silk filaments to preserve the organizational integrity of the cocoon during its configuration. In addition, other studies link the antimicrobial activity of silk due to its industrial post-processing.

    However, no matter how science links its antimicrobial abilities, the fact remains that silk face masks are ideal to be worn, especially to those dealing with acne, to help prevent and reduce the incidence of skin conditions.

    (Source: Elements.envato.com)

  2. Unlike cotton and other types of masks, silk is not dehydrating

    In most cases, a silk face mask is made out of 100% natural materials. With that, it is effortlessly lax and breathable. These characteristics of silk face masks make them suitable for any skin type but particularly beneficial for acne-prone, oily, and sensitive skin. In addition, unlike other face masks made out of cotton, Silk face masks are less absorbent, so it aids your skin to be more hydrated. This hydration is important because dehydrated skin can stimulate the production of unwarranted sebum, resulting in an ideal environment for acne to occur. Also, it is crucial to note that silk face masks do not strip off the natural oils in your face, so it leaves your skin supple and youthful, even after hours of wearing.

  3. Silk is hypoallergenic

    People struggling with skin conditions, not only acne, know that applying and wearing hypoallergenic products is necessary. Acne flare-ups can easily be triggered if products that are not hypoallergenic are used because it stimulates the inflammatory reactions of the skin. For example, although face masks made of cotton do not directly stimulate allergy symptoms, they can exacerbate inflamed, sensitive skin.

    Silk face masks can be utilized to help manage your skin’s inflammatory state because it is one of the most well-known hypoallergenic fabrics. The natural characteristics of silkworm cocoons that protect them from dust mites make Silk hypoallergenic. In addition, the protein components in Silk protect microscopic matters that can trigger inflammatory flare-ups. Hence, making silk face masks ideal for wear, especially if you are already suffering from skin inflammation brought about by your acne.

  4. Silk is extremely smooth.

    Utilizing cotton face masks can cause friction between your face and the face mask fabric. This friction can cause irritations and micro-abrasions that can trigger acne to develop and worsen. Therefore, it is crucial to use a face mask with an extremely smooth texture.

    Silk face masks are popular for their luxurious, relaxed, and smooth texture. Generally, silk face masks are gentler and softer on the skin compared to other types of face masks. In addition, because Silk is made up of very long silk fibers that are single and unbroken, Silk is considered a more refined fabric. These features reduce friction, which then decreases the incidence of acne. Unlike cotton, silk face masks ensure that your skin stays smooth even after hours of using them while maintaining ample moisture to lessen the chance of you breaking out.

Bottom line: 

Acne is a struggle that you would like to solve. Ways to manage such skin conditions involve therapeutic and lifestyle changes. One of the lifestyle adjustments you can make is wearing silk face masks that are proven and tested to reduce acne. 

Other than silk face masks being moisturizing, hypoallergenic, extremely smooth texture, and having antibacterial properties, this type of mask is also proven by a study conducted by Parlin et al. in 2020 to be effective in blocking respiratory droplets that may contain infectious pathogens. So with that, wearing silk face masks is surely a win-win! 

References:

  1. A little Silk. 2021. 5 Reasons Why Silk Is Good For Acne Sufferers. Retrieved from: https://alittlesilk.com/blogs/news/5-reasons-why-silk-is-good-for-acne-sufferers. Retrieved on 9 March 2022. 
  2. Cleveland Clinic. 2021. The Struggle With Maskne Is Very Real. Retrieved from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-struggle-with-maskne-is-very-real/. Retrieved on 9 March 2022. 
  3. Everyday Health. 2013. 7 Surprising Benefits of Silk. Retrieved from: https://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-and-beauty-pictures/surprising-benefits-of-silk.aspx. Retrieved on 9 March 2022. 
  4. Medical News Today. 2021. What to Know About Maskne. Retrieved from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/maskne#causes. Retrieved on 9 March 2022. 
  5. Parlin AF, Stratton SM, Culley TM, Guerra PA. A laboratory-based study examining the properties of silk fabric to evaluate its potential as a protective barrier for personal protective equipment and as a functional material for face coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic. PLoS One. 2020;15(9):e0239531. Published 2020 Sep 18. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0239531
  6. Radice Sleep. 2020. 5 Health Benefits Of Wearing Silk. Retrieved from: https://radicesleep.com/blogs/magazine/5-health-benefits-of-wearing-silk. Retrieved on 9 March 2022. 
  7. Saviane, A., Romoli, O., Bozzato, A. et al. Intrinsic antimicrobial properties of silk spun by genetically modified silkworm strains. Transgenic Res 27, 87–101 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11248-018-0059-0

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