Mask acne, or maskne, is the latest beauty buzzword nobody saw coming until a coronavirus caused a worldwide pandemic this year.
As part of a collective effort to stop the spread, we practise social distancing measures imposed by authorities, maintain our personal hygiene, and of course don protective face masks whenever we have to head out in public.
While wearing a mask has proven to be an important behaviour to minimise our chances of contracting the virus, it has also led to an unpleasant side effect: maskne. That’s one of the reasons why we sought out and rounded up some of the best maskne facials in Singapore that will help soothe and repair our blotchy, irritated skin. But first things first, let’s dive into what maskne is all about.
Source: Polina Tankilevitch/Pexels
Maskne: What exactly is it?
Dubbed by creative netizens in the social media realm, maskne is essentially a portmanteau made up of the terms ‘mask’ and ‘acne’, which medically is known as acne mechanica. This skin condition has of course recently affected many of us due to the prolonged wear of protective face mask, invariably causing friction-related irritation around the mouth, near the ears where the edges of the mask sit, and in the areas around the nose.
Just like how a combination of heat, friction, and sweat getting trapped between skin and fabric is a recipe for breakouts on the back, chest or thighs, experts explain that the occlusive, heat-trapping face mask – combined with a humid environment from breathing, talking, and sweating – is bringing about an increased moisture-rich environment for bacteria and organisms to proliferate. This in turn leads to pores getting clogged and the skin on the lower half of your face to flare up, becoming dry, itchy, raw and eventually plagued by acne.
To improve the condition of maskne, nothing beats a monthly visit to your professional facialist for a deep-cleansing facial to get the gunk out of your pores and give skin a clean slate. It really makes sense when you think about it – after all, the goal is to turn around decongested skin, stave off bacteria, and keep maskne at bay, so what better way to achieve all of these than with the best maskne facials?
But we’re not talking about your regular skin-drying facial therapies for acne-prone skin here though. No, the ones that caught our attention are the high-performing, multi-functional facial treatments that not only send maskne packing, but also quench skin’s thirst, even out skin tone, and repair UV-induced damage among others.
Read on for the best maskne facials in Singapore that will save your skin from maskne flare-ups and keep it looking smooth, clear, and even once again.
Scroll to the end of the article for quick links to the featured salons’ websites and deal pages.
Maskne facials you can try for clearer, happier skin
1. Bella Marie France
Bella Marie France’s Cryo Visage Treatment is arguably as high tech as it sounds – the deep-cleansing facial combines premium antibacterial ingredients and a cryo (cold) machine to clear up breakouts and blackheads, remove congestion, and refine skin texture while helping to regulate sebum secretion and minimise surface shine. In other words, everything that you want to achieve when dealing with maskne.
On top of minimising pores and refreshing the skin, this treatment also features an exclusive and luxurious bio-organic mask that eliminates dulling dead skin cells and restores skin’s moisture balance with bio-minerals, trace elements, vitamins, and plant actives. Your skin will most certainly look clearer and more balanced, complete with a healthy overall glow.
The Cryo Visage Treatment is priced at S$180 for one session.
Address: Find the full list of locations on the website
Contact: 1800 7777 111, 9048 7088 (WhatsApp only) or book online here
Operating hours: Varies for each location, please call the hotline or the respective outlets (see full list of contact numbers on the website) to enquire
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2. W.O.W Wellness Oneness Wonders
Apart from the frequent wearing of masks, acne formation can further be exacerbated by both internal and external factors such as hormonal imbalance, medication as well as unhealthy lifestyle and eating habits.
If all of that sounds familiar to you, the BlemishAway Facial Treatment by W.O.W Wellness Oneness Wonders may be able to help. By effectively fighting bacteria and managing excessive sebum production, this facial can help soften tough, resistant acne scars caused by skin keratinisation and prevent future breakouts.
Address: 50 East Coast Road, Roxy Square, #01-109/102, Singapore 428769
Contact: 6900 3377, 8838 4882 (WhatsApp/SMS)
Operating hours: 11am – 9pm (Mon to Fri) | 10am – 7pm (Sat & Sun)
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3. Ikeda Spa
File this under strange ingredients we put on our skin in the name of beauty: Ikeda Spa’s Geisha Organic Facial uses traditional organic Japanese ingredients such as rice bran, camellia oil, azuki red beans, peach moon water, and uguisu no fun, which translates to nightingale droppings.
Yes, you read that right – bird droppings on your face. But before you discount the ingredient entirely, hear us out – powdered nightingale droppings were supposedly used by the geishas and kabuki actors to counter the toxins left on their skin by their heavy white makeup, which traditionally contained zinc and lead. The unusual substance has also been found to help soothe and condition the skin too.
Perfectly safe to use on the skin, the ingredient is first sanitised with ultraviolet light exposure before being milled to a fine powder. When combined with Ikeda Spa’s unique 300-stroke Japanese meridian massage technique in the facial, it removes all traces of dirt and bacteria while gently sloughing away dead skin cells and repairing UV damage to leave your skin soft, smooth, and bright. Bonus: It’s great for sensitive skin as well!
For the ultimate pampering, enjoy the Geisha Organic Facial with a side of onsen bath! Made using hinoki, Japan’s most prized cypress wood, you’ll get to reap the soothing therapeutic and antibacterial benefits of the cypress oil released by the hinoki wood as you unwind after a long day.
Hinoki Onsen is priced at S$80 for a 30-minute session while Geisha Organic Facial is priced at S$250 for a 90-minute session – book online here.
Address: 787 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 269762
Contact: 6469 8080
Operating hours: 1.30pm – 10.30pm (Mon to Sun)
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View all services by Ikeda Spa and book an appointment here
4. Phillip Wain Get more than 60% off!
Want maskne-free skin that’s clear and healthy with a dose of serious pampering? Look no further than Phillip Wain!
The hour-long Customised Facial with Deep Cleansing (atop a heated bed to keep you warm and fuzzy) will help you regain a clearer, healthier complexion, with deep cleansing and gentle exfoliation to draw out impurities and bacteria that are lodged deep within your pores from prolonged mask wear.
Once your skin is all cleaned out, the therapist will replenish your skin with essential nutrients using a customised mask and ampoule infusion.
Address: 333 Orchard Road, Mandarin Orchard, #07-00, Singapore 238867
Contact: 6250 0100
Operating hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon to Fri) | 10am – 8pm (Sat) | 10am – 6pm (Sun) | 10am – 7pm (PH)
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5. 8 Medi Aesthetics
At 8 Medi Aesthetics, all facial treatments are meticulously designed by experienced skin doctors so you can rest assured that your maskne troubles will be taken care of with the signature Dep Cleansing Nano Pore Face Therapy
The treatment uses a combination of machine-based and manual extraction to help get rid of all the nasty breakout-inducing stuff, then revitalises the skin with plenty of antioxidant protection and hydrating goodness for a clear, lit-from-within complexion.
Enjoy the 60-minute Deep Cleansing Nano Pore Face Therapy at S$300.
Address: Find the full list of locations on the website
Contact: 3157 5947, 9151 9017 (Whatsapp/SMS)
Operating hours: Varies for each location, please call or WhatsApp to enquire
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6. KGlow Skin Lab
If you just want a professional acne-clearing treatment without all the extra fuss, go back to basics with the Acne Control Treatment by KGlow Skin Lab. Regular monthly maintenance will help purify your skin and regulate sebum production, so that breakout episodes can be controlled.
The 90-minute Acne Control Treatment is priced at S$118.
Address: 9 Raffles Boulevard, Millenia Walk, #02-23, Singapore 039596
Contact: 6338 9676, 9666 6793
Operating hours: 11am – 9pm (Mon to Sat) | 10am – 7pm (Sun & PH)
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7. Crystal De France
For those who prefer a basic option to clear away maskne, you can also consider Crystal de France’s Acne Facial Treatment. It combines extraction, a sea salt treatment, and a healing mask to clear breakouts and calm redness so that you ca enjoy clearer, smoother skin once more.
Enjoy the 60-minute Acne Facial Treatment at S$78.
Address: 1 Coleman Street, The Adelphi, #03-39, Singapore 179803
Contact: 6334 3542
Operating hours: 10am to 7pm (Mon to Fri) | 10am to 6pm (Sat) | Closed on Sundays & public holidays
Website | Facebook
8. Pure Tincture Organic Beauty
Using only organic ingredients, Pure Tincture Organic Beauty’s Lux Organic Facial offers a gentle and natural treatment for your skin.
The Lux Organic Facial is a customised facial that addresses specific skin concerns – maskne included – and it uses premium products from The Organic Pharmacy and VENN to do so.
The treatment doesn’t just include the typical facial steps like extraction and mask application, it also includes a gua sha massage, neck and shoulder massage, as well as hot stone massage. You’re certainly in for a luxurious pampering!
Get the Lux Organic Facial (90 minutes) for S$260.
Address: 1 Coleman Street, The Adelphi, #02-35, Singapore 179803
Contact: 9857 7859
Operating hours: 11am – 8pm (Mon to Fri) | 11am – 6.30pm (Sat) | Closed on Sun & PH
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9. Avante Face Body Yoga
If your skin needs more heavy-lifting in the maskne-clearing department, go for the Carbon Laser Treatment. It’s a deep-cleansing facial that uses non-invasive laser and nano charcoal cream to keep skin’s oil secretion in check and minimise the look of pores while reducing blemish scars and post-acne discolouration.
Additionally, your skin will be rewarded with anti-ageing benefits as well, thanks to the facial’s ability to reduce fine lines, improve skin firmness and radiance as well as stimulate collagen production.
Claim the 45-minute Carbon Laser Treatment now for S$138!
Address: 390 Orchard Road, Palais Renaissance, #B1-04/05, Singapore 238871
Contact: 6227 0780
Operating hours: 11am – 9.30pm (Mon to Fri) | 10am – 6pm (Sat, Sun & PH)
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Summary of websites and deal pages for the best maskne facials in Singapore
- 8 Medi Aesthetics | Website
- Avante Face Body Yoga | Website
- Bella Marie France | Website
- Crystal de France | Website
- Ikeda Spa | Website
- KGlow Skin Lab | Website
- Phillip Wain | Website
- Pure Tincture Organic Beauty | Website
- W.O.W Wellness Oneness Wonders | Instagram
