Wearing face masks is vital, but it’s causing havoc with our skin. It’s not just teens who are struggling with acne around the chin area; as director at Emma Hardie, Jane Foulston notes, “A lack of air circulation under the mask as well as increased friction on the skin can cause a type of acne known as Acne Mechanica, leaving us with anything from rash-like blemishes to large cystic spots.” I was speaking to a make-up artist yesterday who is delighted to be back working, but is finding the face mask plus shield she needs to wear feels incredibly hot and causing her skin to break out.

As guest beauty expert Leonard Daly notes, “maskne” is easy to avoid and to treat. “The reason wearing a mask is causing acne is because exhaling creates warm and damp skin, perfect breeding ground for bacteria, and also as your skin can’t shed dead skin cells so they are causing blockages in the pores. First thing to do is make sure you’re washing your masks; officially you should wash your reusable mask after each use. This is especially true if you have make-up on under it: when you’re wearing make-up on there is more chance that bacteria can multiply when covered up. Also make sure that your mask material is breathable; a light cotton fabric mask is ideal. I ordered some cotton online and made masks for the family – super-easy and each cost around 20c to make; I’ve ordered some silk to make some more. Make sure that the mask fits you properly: if it is either too loose or too tight, it will rub against your skin causing irritation.”

Daly recommends using oil-free products to help reduce the risk of breakouts. “I would try and avoid using any make-up if possible, especially if you have to wear a mask for the full day. If the air can’t get to your skin, pores become blocked and make-up will only block it more. Be sure to wear a good SPF all over your face – the last thing we need is a mask-shaped tan line on your face right now!”

As for skincare, a protective balm or skincare can help on areas of redness and irritation. Jane Foulston advises thorough cleansing both morning and night to get rid of any impurities on the skin’s surface (ideally, wash your face after wearing the mask, too). A balm cleanser can help to thoroughly cleanse, remove bacteria and leave skin feeling rebalanced and hydrated, rather than stripped of all moisture. It could be time to adjust your cleanser accordingly. If you’re using anything harsh, or even too rich, it’s going to make any irritation worse.

Here are a few we’ve tried out and rate, whether you prefer a jelly, balm or cream texture:

1 Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm (€53.95 at www.emmahardie.com and selected pharmacies) is dermatologically tested as suitable for sensitive skin. The experts at ESPA, meanwhile, recommend their antibacterial Purifying Tea Tree Gel (€33 at www.espaskincare.com) to zap bacteria if you’re noticing redness and breakouts around the jaw and mouth.

2 “If you have an active breakout, there are easy over-the-counter treatments available,” advises Leonard Daly. “Firstly, use a great cleanser to wash your face: unblocking pores is paramount. A salicylic acid-based cleanser is best. These don’t have to cost a fortune – CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser (€12.50) is perfect to treat active spots and prevent more breakouts, and is very affordable. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo range is also an affordable acne treatment range; I particularly love the Effaclar Duo Acne Blemish Treatment. If your acne has become infected or is more severe a dermatologist or doctor can prescribe more active skincare. Be aware that using active ingredients, both over the counter and doctor-prescribed, can create skin sensitivity, so you really have to stick to your new routine to try and avoid having to use stronger acne treatments that mask-wearing will irritate.”

3 I’ve been using the Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm by Elemis (the skincare line now owned by L’Occitane) which is incredibly buttery and gorgeous to use, with the silkiest texture and rose-petal scent. It’s expensive but divine. I even use a bit as a lip balm. €56 at www.elemis.com.

4 Skingredients is the trusty range by Jennifer Rock, The Skin Nerd. Her PreProbiotic cleanse is all you need for sorting troubled skin, with nothing unnecessary added. A cream cleanser, it’s light and designed for flaky, irritated or congested skin. You can even use it as a mask: leave it on for 20 minutes to calm and hydrate skin, €25 at Arnotts. Try also Kate Somerville Gentle Cleanser (€36) for a thorough cleanse without stripping the skin’s natural oils.

5 Eve Lom Gel Balm Cleanser is new from the cult brand (everyone describes their brand as cult now, or iconic, but Eve Lom has been around long enough to warrant the title – the balm cleanser, launched back in the 1980s, was the first posh beauty product many of us tried). This new gel balm version has that signature scent (from a blend of plant oils, cloves, eucalyptus and chamomile) that really takes you back to the first time you used it – you’ll wonder why you ever stopped. But this is lighter, which will suit a lot of people, especially those prone to breakouts. A little goes a long way. There’s also a new Moisture Lotion and Rescue Toner in the range. At Brown Thomas and Arnotts, €55.

6 There’s a trend for “jelly” cleansers at the moment, popularised by Glossier’s Milky Jelly Cleanser and Drunk Elephant’s, and inspired by Korean skincare routines. Jelly cleansers lie somewhere between a cleaning oil and a balm, and tend not to foam. They are really just lightweight moisturising cleansers that lift dirt from the skin; often you apply to dry skin and then emulsify with water to turn them into a milky texture. I’ve been using REN Clean Skincare’s Perfect Canvas Clean Jelly Oil Cleanser which contains lots of fruit seed oils but light enough to not leave any residue on the skin yet able to get rid of make-up and even sunscreen from the skin. I like its very light natural fragrance, clean ethos and conscious packaging. €34 at www.marksandspencer.com and pharmacies nationwide. I also spotted REN’s beautiful Rosa Centifolia 3-in-1 Cleansing Water on www.BeautyBuys.com for €12.50; keep an eye on the website for other skincare steals.

7 A winner for name and looks alone, Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater + Tremella Jelly Cleanser is formulated for sensitive and dehydrated skin, with coconut water base to hydrate and a natural surfactant to gently lift dirt and oil, plus wonder ingredient squalane to retain moisture. €22 at www.cultbeauty.com.

8 Don’t forget dry lips. Both Leonard Daly and I recommend Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream (fragrance-free always) to instantly rehydrate lips. “If lips are starting to crack, I adore Clinique’s Moisture Surge lip treatment, probably the best I have ever used,” says Daly. “Apply this at least 30 minutes before putting on your mask to let it sink in, and after you take the mask off, another layer to really pack the moisture back into your lips.”