Now that we’re so many months into the pandemic, with widespread recommendations to wear masks for our own protection as well as for others, we’re beginning to see the impact of those masks on the skin that’s been covered up. There’s even a new term for the acne and eruptions that have surfaced as we’ve gone from indoor quarantine to outdoor cover-ups: It’s called “maskne,” the pesky pimples that seem to sprout wherever our masks come into contact with, or cover-up, our faces. According to a recent piece in Medium by writer Deanna Pai, the combination of stress, upended routines, and occlusive protective masks are all conspiring to give many of us a case of acne not seen since our teenage years. While other skin conditions such as eczema or rosacea may also be arising due to the stress, there’s no doubt that both stress acne and acne mechanica (from the friction of the mask material or the heat, oil, and bacteria trapped under the mask) are both on the rise.

So how to fight back? One obvious weapon is to choose your mask wisely- a breathable material like cotton and a close but not tight-fitting shape unless you’re a heavily-exposed health care worker needing to wear an N95 mask. Other advice? Gentle exfoliation (but not too much, as experts warn that’s a mistake many older women make), a vitamin A derivative potion to lessen oil and clogged pores (such as Differin, for example-which also fights wrinkles), and perhaps a healing ointment for inflamed skin that’s been rubbed too much. Lots of skincare and cosmetic brands are rushing to fill this new skincare market and unlike much of the cosmetics industry that has collapsed during the pandemic (why do we need lipstick if we’re wearing a mask?), the beauty industry is shifting to offer us silk masks and skin cleansing gadgets to fill the void and come to the rescue of the 43% of people who claim they’re experiencing irritation from wearing a mask.

Bottom line: Make sure to wear a mask but don’t forget the skin underneath!