Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Sep 01, 2025

Could silk face masks be the answer to maskne?

Could silk face masks be the answer to maskne?

It's time to upgrade

They've become the accessory of the year, but we've rapidly learned that where face masks go, tormented skin is sure to follow.

Because while we've adjusted to life sans handbag but avec face mask, there's been a considerable shift in the moodiness of our skin. Even those with the clearest and most glass-like skin among us have fallen foul of the irritation caused by mask wearing.

Why? The answer is simple: maskne, which is the term given to the army of aggressive and *very* 2020 pimples that have gathered around parts of the face which are occluded by face masks. "We refer to it as acne mechanica, which is caused by masks creating friction on the skin's surface and breaking down the skin's barrier which results in clogged pores and spots," consultant dermatologist and acne specialist Dr Faheem​ Latheef explains.


While the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends wearing medical face coverings for those who will be in close proximity to those with underlying health conditions or people over the age of 60, the organisation also states that non-medical coverings should be worn by the rest of us.

While there's no shortage of fashionable face masks on the market now, one particular material is being professed as the answer to help curb any bouts of 'maskne' people may be experiencing.

“Silk is a more natural and breathable fabric allowing better circulation in the prevention of build-up of heat and moisture on the skin - two things that sensitive or acne-prone skin loves, which can cause irritation and bacteria to increase," explains Aileen Rafferty, skincare trainer at The Skin Experts, "Silk is more gentle and creates less friction on those delicate skins."

Indeed, silk has recently been endorsed by a slew of brands and dermatologists alike. From hair experts recommending silk turbans for protecting damage-prone and course hair to skin experts professing the virtues of silk pillowcases to minimise friction for sensitive skin, silk is big news. And now it seems as though a silky face mask is the next move to make.


Rafferty recommends silk masks, given the material's ability to "allow the skin to breathe." Indeed, the naturally-occurring material - which was confirmed by a recent study to be the best alternative to PPE - is cooling, hypoallergenic (therefore unlikely to cause an allergic reaction) and absorbs less moisture than cotton, so it won't dry out your skin.

But changing the material of your mask isn't all. Dermatologists also advise on adjusting your skincare to help your face battle the elements. "If your skin is irritated from wearing a mask, use products with non-comedogenic ingredients that would keep your skin hydrated and moisturised and help repair and improve your skin’s moisture barrier," recommends Dr. Kevin Mun, Chief Scientific Officer at Venn Skincare, "B vitamins (which includes niacinamide) are powerful antioxidants with strong anti-inflammatory properties that are stable and recommended for even sensitive skin types.”

SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser Cream is a gentle, yet effective, option which promises to reduce redness, while Pfeffer Sal's Essential Serum boasts a bevy of hydrating and skin-soothing ingredients. If you veer more towards thick and heavy moisturisers, try swapping them out for a gel-based option. G-Beauty brand QMS' Epigen Pollution Defence Day & Night Gel-Cream helps the skin to retain moisture while also defending it from pollutants and external aggressors.

Once you've nailed your pivot to mask-proof skincare, these are the best silk face masks to shop now.

Valle & Vik Ivory & Blue Silk Face Mask


Sustainable silk brand Valle & Vik’s luxe silk face coverings are crafted from a slew of silky materials. Not only do all of the masks come with a matching pouch but the brand is also donating a percentage of sales to the NHS.



Slip Reusable Silk Face Coverings


Perhaps most well-known for its silky pillowcases is the brand Slip, whose reusable silk face coverings have taken the world of masks by storm. Available in both black and leopard print, the masks are made using 100 per cent mulberry silk.



RIXO Hope Floral-Print Recycled Silk-Blend Face Coverings


Crafted in its signature ditsy floral prints, RIXO’s silk-blend masks do as good as they look. The masks are made using recycled material which comprises 70 per cent silk and 30 per cent cotton and come with a co-ordinating pouch also made from leftover fabric.



Adelina Rusu Two-Sided Silk Face Mask


For those who are reluctant to buy only one mask, this reversible Adelina Rusu offering kills two bird with one stone. Wanting to blend into the masked masses? Keep it on the black side. Feeling like you need to rev up your mask game? Flip it over for a lilac love-in.



Mink Honey Creations Silk Masks Pack of 3


A purse-friendly trio that offers three masks for under £10. Given that we need to be changing our masks after each outing in them, it makes economical sense to bulk buy them. *adds to basket*



Mulberry Silk Face Mask


Cult Beauty’s soft and silky face masks are available in a quartet of hues, meaning there’s something for every outfit and mood. We’ve got our eyes firmly on the blush.


Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Chinese and Indian Leaders Pursue Amity Amid Global Shifts
European Union Plans for Ukraine Deployment
ECB Warns Against Inflation Complacency
Concerns Over North Cyprus Casino Development
Shipping Companies Look Beyond Chinese Finance
Rural Exodus Fueling European Wildfires
China Hosts Major Security Meeting
Chinese Police Successfully Recover Family's Savings from Livestream Purchases
Germany Marks a Decade Since Migrant Wave with Divisions, Success Stories, and Political Shifts
Liverpool Defeat Arsenal 1–0 with Szoboszlai Free-Kick to Stay Top of Premier League
Prince Harry and King Charles to Meet in First Reunion After 20 Months
Chinese Stock Market Rally Fueled by Domestic Investors
Israeli Airstrike in Yemen Kills Houthi Prime Minister
Ukrainian Nationalist Politician Andriy Parubiy Assassinated in Lviv
Corporate America Cuts Middle Management as Bosses Take On Triple the Workload
Parents Sue OpenAI After Teen’s Death, Alleging ChatGPT Encouraged Suicide
Amazon Faces Lawsuit Over 'Buy' Label on Digital Streaming Content
Federal Reserve Independence Questioned Amid Trump’s Push to Reshape Central Bank
British Politics Faces Tumultuous Autumn After Summer of Rebellions and Rising Farage Momentum
US Appeals Court Rules Against Most Trump-Era Tariffs
UK Sought Broad Access to Apple Users’ Data, Court Filing Reveals
UK Bank Shares Dive Over Potential Tax on Sector
Germany’s Auto Industry Sheds 51,500 Jobs in First Half of 2025 Amid Deepening Crisis
Bruce Willis Relocated Due to Advanced Dementia
French and Korean Nuclear Majors Clash As EU Launches Foreign Subsidy Probe
EU Stands Firm on Digital Rules as Trump Warns of Retaliation
Getting Ready for the 3rd Time in Its History, Germany Approves Voluntary Military Service for Teenagers
Argentine President Javier Milei Evacuated After Stones Thrown During Campaign Event
Denmark Confronts U.S. Diplomat Over Covert Trump-Linked Influence in Greenland
Starmer Should Back Away from ECHR, Says Jack Straw
Trump Demands RICO Charges Against George Soros and Son for Funding Violent Protests
Taylor Swift Announces Engagement to NFL Star Travis Kelce
France May Need IMF Bailout, Warns Finance Minister
Chinese AI Chipmaker Cambricon Posts Record Profit as Beijing Pushes Pivot from Nvidia
After the Shock of Defeat, Iranians Yearn for Change
Ukraine Finally Allows Young Men Aged Eighteen to Twenty-Two to Leave the Country
The Porn Remains, Privacy Disappears: How Britain Broke the Internet in Ten Days
YouTube Altered Content by Artificial Intelligence – Without Permission
Welcome to The Definition of Insanity: Germany Edition
Just a reminder, this is Michael Jackson's daughter, Paris.
Spotify’s Strange Move: The Feature Nobody Asked For – Returns
Manhunt in Australia: Armed Anti-Government Suspect Kills Police Officers Sent to Arrest Him
China Launches World’s Most Powerful Neutrino Detector
How Beijing-Linked Networks Shape Elections in New York City
Ukrainian Refugee Iryna Zarutska Fled War To US, Stabbed To Death
Elon Musk Sues Apple and OpenAI Over Alleged App Store Monopoly
2 Australian Police Shot Dead In Encounter In Rural Victoria State
Vietnam Evacuates Hundreds of Thousands as Typhoon Kajiki Strikes; China’s Sanya Shuts Down
UK Government Delays Decision on China’s Proposed London Embassy Amid Concerns Over Redacted Plans
A 150-Year Tradition to Be Abolished? Uproar Over the Popular Central Park Attraction
×