Can 2020 Get Even Worse? “Yes” Say Online Searches

For many people, acne is an issue dealt with during a few blunder years as teenagers, but those with sensitive skin know very well that acne-free skin can be extremely elusive. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries and states have passed laws mandating the use of face masks in most public places. As a result, countless people around the world quickly started experiencing blemishes, inflammation and clogged pores. As they rushed to social media and search engines to find solutions to their conditions, “Maskne” soon became the rising star of the most searched beauty terms.

Wearing a facemask has created the perfect storm for skin break outs. Acne typically occurs when skin cell turnover and desquamation don't occur the way they should, and dead cells end up obstructing pores, creating the right conditions for anaerobic Cutibacterium acnes bacteria to thrive and proliferate, ultimately leading to skin inflammation. The hot and humid environment behind face masks creates an even more ideal climate for these bacteria to grow. Finally, the constant rubbing of masks against the skin further contributes to weakening its natural barrier, making the skin more prone to irritation and inflammation.

Step-by-Step Regimen to Reduce Maskne Breakouts

Maskne breakouts do not have to be an unpreventable trade-off for being able to step outside your home! These easy steps can considerably reduce the risk of skin break outs: use the right mask, thoroughly cleanse your skin and make sure to repair and restore your skin hydrating barrier.

Maskne skin care regimens may need to be specifically tailored to our new COVID-19 daily routines: ingredients should be curated with sensitive skin in mind, in order to account for the toll that face masks are taking on our skin barrier. Each step must hit the right balance between efficacy and multi-functionality in order to create a routine that delivers visible results, can easily be tailored to users’ specific needs and is not overwhelming for mainstream consumers. This routine developed by Vantage™ is made up of three simple steps that rely on highly efficacious ingredients:

1-Deep Detox of Pores

The first step of our anti-maskne routine takes care of the nasty bacteria responsible for most of skin breakouts. Benzoyl Peroxide (BPO) is a tried and true acne monographed approved technology. Acne is caused in part by the C.acnes bacteria, which cannot live in the oxygen-rich environment provided by the use of benzoyl peroxide. While BPO is definitely extremely efficient at reducing acne breakouts, its efficacy will vary depending on how well it is incorporated into formulations and how well it can actually reach the C.acnes bacteria sites.
This is why Curoxyl™ 42 (patented USP Benzoyl Peroxide Gel) has become the benchmark for BPO in anti-acne formulas. Curoxyl™ 42 is an aqueous based, micronized Benzoyl Peroxide dispersion in the form of a gel. It is an effective replacement for traditional forms of BPO and is clinically proven to reduce acne lesions and dark spots. Moreover, Curoxyl™ 42 comes as a liquid, risk-free solution for manufacturers who are not equipped to handle solid peroxide powders.
Learn more about Curoxyl™ 42

2-Gentle Cleansing, with a Twist

Cleansing has become an ubiquitous step in most skin care regimens. Skin suffering from acne breakouts will likely be already sensitized and should be treated carefully. Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate has been favored by formulators in applications targeting sensitive skin or scalp irritation, because they are extremely milld. Its great foaming performance in cleansers conveys a significant sense of efficacy during the cleansing step.
Vantage™ uses a proprietary, RSPO Mass Balance certified fatty acid to produce Metaupon™ KMT 30 MB, its market-leading grade of Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate. The composition of the fatty acids used contributes to the signature sensorial profile of Metaupon™ KMT 30 MB, which creates a substantive and delightful experience for consumers.
Learn more about Metaupon™ KMT 30 MB

3-Erasing the Damage of Face Masks

For the final step, we take a multi-functional approach that aims at restoring the epidermal barrier, reducing irritation, and bringing back a lasting hydration onto the skin.
To address the growing need for sensitive-skin friendly ingredients, Vantage™ has developed BioSignal™ Lipid 10 MB after studying how specific bio-mimetic phosphatidylglycerols can modulate the signaling pathways involved in skin inflammation and ultimately reduce the visible signs of irritation, while promoting long-term hydration.
During the clinical trials, BioSignal™ Lipid 10 MB not only performed extremely well restoring skin barrier by stimulating the production of key proteins such as collagen, aquaporin, involucrin, filagrrin, it also led to a measurable increase of skin hydration measured over the span of the 4-week study. Even more interesting for users with sensitive skin; BioSignal™ Lipid 10 MB visibly reduced the irritation caused by “harsh” active ingredients such as lactic acid. This unique combination of benefits makes BioSignal™ Lipid 10 MB an ideal ingredient to restore the skin barrier damaged by the prolonged used of face masks.
Learn more about BioSignal™ Lipid 10 MB

The "I've Got You Covered" Approach

If this short regimen is still too complex for your taste, our formulators have created a Dual Action Clear Skin Toner that combines the cleansing properties of Curcylic™ 40 Salicylic Acid and the soothing and restoring benefits of DW Jojoba Oil and Bio-Signal™ Lipid 10 MB. This 2-phase toner is formulated without emulsifiers to respect sensitive skin.
Download the formula now