London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Sep 08, 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

0:00
0:00
Close
Trump Threatens Retaliatory Tariffs After EU Imposes €2.95 Billion Fine on Google
Tesla Board Proposes Unprecedented One-Trillion-Dollar Performance Package for Elon Musk
US Justice Department Launches Criminal Mortgage-Fraud Probe into Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook
Escalating Drug Trafficking and Violence in Latin America: A Growing Crisis
US and Taiwanese Defence Officials Held Secret Talks in Alaska
Report: Secret SEAL Team 6 Mission in North Korea Ordered by Trump in 2019 Ended in Failure
Gold Could Reach Nearly $5,000 if Fed Independence Is Undermined, Goldman Sachs Warns
Uruguay, Colombia and Paraguay Secure Places at 2026 World Cup
Florida Murder Case: The Adelson Family, the Killing of Dan Markel, and the Trial of Donna Adelson
Trump Administration Advances Plans to Rebrand Pentagon as Department of War Instead of the Fake Term Department of Defense
Big Tech Executives Laud Trump at White House Dinner, Unveil Massive U.S. Investments
Tether Expands into Gold Sector with Profit-Driven Diversification
‘Looks Like a Wig’: Online Users Express Concern Over Kate Middleton
Brand-New $1 Million Yacht Sinks Just Fifteen Minutes After Maiden Launch in Turkey
Here’s What the FBI Seized in John Bolton Raid — and the Legal Risks He Faces
Florida’s Vaccine Revolution: DeSantis Declares War on Mandates
Trump’s New War – and the ‘Drug Tyrant’ Fearing Invasion: ‘1,200 Missiles Aimed at Us’
"The Situation Has Never Been This Bad": The Fall of PepsiCo
At the Parade in China: Laser Weapons, 'Eagle Strike,' and a Missile Capable of 'Striking Anywhere in the World'
The Fashion Designer Who Became an Italian Symbol: Giorgio Armani Has Died at 91
Putin Celebrates ‘Unprecedentedly High’ Ties with China as Gazprom Seals Power of Siberia-2 Deal
China Unveils New Weapons in Grand Military Parade as Xi Hosts Putin and Kim
Queen Camilla’s Teenage Courage: Fended Off Attempted Assault on London Train, New Biography Reveals
Scottish Brothers Set Record in Historic Pacific Row
Rapper Cardi B Cleared of Liability in Los Angeles Civil Assault Trial
Google Avoids Break-Up in U.S. Antitrust Case as Stocks Rise
Couple celebrates 80th wedding anniversary at assisted living facility in Lancaster
Information Warfare in the Age of AI: How Language Models Become Targets and Tools
The White House on LinkedIn Has Changed Their Profile Picture to Donald Trump
"Insulted the Prophet Muhammad": Woman Burned Alive by Angry Mob in Niger State, Nigeria
Trump Responds to Death Rumors – Announces 'Missile City'
Court of Appeal Allows Asylum Seekers to Remain at Essex Hotel Amid Local Tax Boycott Threats
Germany in Turmoil: Ukrainian Teenage Girl Pushed to Death by Illegal Iraqi Migrant
United Krack down on human rights: Graham Linehan Arrested at Heathrow Over Three X Posts, Hospitalised, Released on Bail with Posting Ban
Asian and Middle Eastern Investors Avoid US Markets
Ray Dalio Warns of US Shift to Autocracy
Eurozone Inflation Rises to 2.1% in August
Russia and China Sign New Gas Pipeline Deal
China's Robotics Industry Fuels Export Surge
Suntory Chairman Resigns After Police Probe
Gold Price Hits New All-Time Record
Von der Leyen's Plane Hit by Suspected Russian GPS Interference in an Incident Believed to Be Caused by Russia or by Pro-Peace or by Anti-Corruption European Activists
UK Fintechs Explore Buying US Banks
Greece Suspends 5% of Schools as Birth Rate Drops
Apollo to Launch $5 Billion Sports Investment Vehicle
Bolsonaro Trial Nears Close Amid US-Brazil Tension
European Banks Push for Lower Cross-Border Barriers
Poland's Offshore Wind Sector Attracts Investors
Nvidia Reveals: Two Mystery Customers Account for About 40% of Revenue
Woody Allen: "I Would Be Happy to Direct Trump Again in a Film"
×