Address maskne with simple, sensitive-skin-friendly ingredients

Daily use of face masks can weaken the skin barrier and create the perfect conditions for acne breakouts. Also known as ‘maskne’, this condition has become a key concern for everyone. Vantage Specialty Chemicals (Vantage) has designed a series of solutions for acne-prone and sensitive skin.

Maskne breakouts do not have to be an unpreventable trade-off for being able to step outside the home. These easy steps can considerably reduce the risk of skin break outs:

• use the right mask
• thoroughly cleanse skin
• make sure to repair and restore the skin hydrating barrier.

Recommended ingredients for cleansing and hydrating products

Step 1 Detox the pores

Curoxyl 42 (patented USP Benzoyl Peroxide Gel) has become the benchmark for Benzoyl Peroxide (BPO) in anti-acne formulas. BPO is a tried-and-true acne monographed technology. Curoxyl 42 is an aqueous based, micronised BPO 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 is supplied as a liquid, risk-free solution for manufacturers that aren’t equipped to handle solid peroxide powders.

Lipobead Detox with Coconut Charcoal MB is a small black bead that incorporates activated charcoal into the matrix of the dry Lipobead. The matrix is composed of naturally derived cellulose. When formulated into a product with a minimum of 15% free water, the Lipobead will soften. On application, the Lipobead will rub out completely, depositing the activated charcoal onto the skin to help draw out dirt, oil and toxins while minimising the appearance of pores.

Step 2 Gentle cleansing

Patented Curcylic 40 is a keratolytic agent that works by gently and safely exfoliating dead skin cells, speeding up the natural process of skin turnover. When the rate of exfoliation increases, the skin is clearer, smoother, brighter and dead cells are less likely to build up in the follicle to form blackheads and pimples. Scientific studies have shown that Salicylic Acid improves skin thickness, barrier function and even collagen production. In addition, it is well documented that Salicylic Acid has anti-inflammatory properties, making it an ideal solution to relieving inflammation caused by face masks.

PFJ-S Beads are a next generation biodegradable alternative to polyethylene beads, offering a different performance and skin feel compared to traditional exfoliants while being cost-effective. Ideal for use in products with ‘oil-free’ or ‘non-hydrogenated’ label claims, PFJ-S Beads are perfectly spherical, decreasing the risk of skin irritation. They provide a gentle physical exfoliation and stimulation of the skin, which can perfectly complement the chemical exfoliating promoted by Curcylic 40.

Vantage Metaupon surfactants are high performance foam enhancers that create a rich and dense foam for mild rinse-off formulations. Because of its extreme mildness, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate has been favoured for medicated applications targeted at sensitive skin or irritated scalp. Metaupon surfactants alsoprovide a great skin feel, contributing to an overall improved sensorial experience.

Step 3 Erasing the damage of face masks

To address the growing need for sensitive-skin-friendly ingredients, Vantage has developed BioSignal Lipid 10 MB. This bio-mimetic phosphatidylglycerol modulates the signalling pathways involved in skin inflammation and ultimately reduces the visible signs of irritation, while promoting long-term hydration. During clinical trials, BioSignal Lipid 10 MB not only performed extremely well in restoring skin barrier by stimulating the production of key epidermal proteins, but also led to a measurable increase of skin hydration measured over the span of the four-week study. This unique combination of benefits makes it an ideal ingredient to restore the skin barrier damaged by the prolonged used of face masks.

Hylasome EG10 is a chemically crosslinked hyaluronic acid derived from a non-animal source, designed to harness the strong hydrating potential of traditional hyaluronic acid into a unique non-equilibrium gel form. When applied onto skin, the tightly bound water domains slowly release water and contribute to intense hydration. This ultra-high molecular weight cross polymer demonstrates five times the water binding capacity of traditional hyaluronic acid.

DW Jojoba Golden is a skin mimetic liquid wax extracted from the jojoba seeds. When used at 20% in an emulsion, DW Jojoba Golden immediately increases skin hydration by 70% while a four-week regimen ultimately leads to an 80% increase in skin moisturisation.

Seabuckthorn oil is from the fruits of Hippophae rhamnoides L. which have a long history of traditional use in Tibetan and Mongolian medicine. Seabuckthorn oil is non-comedogenic and perfectly suited as part of a regimen intended for acne-prone skin. Its unsaturated fatty acid profile, rich in palmitooleic acid (omega-7) and gamma-linolenic acid (omega-6), contribute to the excellent benefits of the oil on skin conditioning and complexion improvement.

Clear skin toner formulation

Vantage 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 BioSignal Lipid 10 MB. This two-phase toner is formulated without emulsifiers to respect sensitive skin. Click here to download the formulation guide.