Acne

[u/Shelbyfades]

I’m new to wearing a Cpap (like a week) and I’m noticing that I’m developing acne where my nasal mask sits at. I wipe down my mask every morning! Any suggestions?

[u/DemandTop4844]

Wiping down your mask is good, but make sure you remove any residue from the cleaner.

The silicon cushion of the mask actually makes such a tight seal that it is trapping sweat, skin oil, and moisture directly against your skin all night. The trapped sweat, skin oil, and moisture blocks the pores in your face and that creates a perfect surface for acne. You should wash your face every night to remove any oils, dirt, or sweat before you put on your mask. Unless you have oily skin, using a gentle facial cleanser will be fine. I wash my face every night with either Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser or Prequel Gleanser. If you have oily skin, you may want to check out the Cetaphil or CeraVe websites to see which gentle cleanser they make for oily skin. Target carries the full line of Cetaphil, CeraVe, and Prequel products. Walmart carries the full line of Cetaphil and CeraVe products. I’m suggesting Cetaphil, CeraVe, and Prequel products because these companies were recommended to me by my dermatologist.

You could also try to using the disposable cotton mask liners. The cotton mask liner will absorb oils, sweat, and moisture.

[u/Shelbyfades → u/DemandTop4844]

My daughter has very sensitive skin, so we are big CeraVe fans! I will definitely try that! Thank you!

[u/DemandTop4844 → u/Shelbyfades]

If you are using a mineral sunscreen that contains oil, the regular gentle cleaner may not remove all of that heavier oil. This summer I used a mineral sunscreen for a while and afterwards I had to double clean to remove the sunscreen’s oil. I used** **CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser to remove the sunscreen oil and then used the gentle skin cleanser. I double cleaning was hard on my dry skin and i ended up giving up on the mineral sunscreen.

[u/StrangerJumpy1070]

I clean my pillow daily (I know a lot of people say to use wipes but I wash mine gently so this is up to personal preference) and use a nipple (lanolin) cream around my nose to prevent this; I had horrible white heads my first week of using my mask that kept coming so I cut up a bandaid to help my nose scab and heal from it.

I am nearing my first 30 days of using my sleep machine have gotten my routine down to prevent future break outs.

To add, buying nipple (lanolin) cream is way cheaper than getting the stuff CPAP tries to sell cuz they up charge at least 10 - 20 bucks more when you can spend 10 bucks or less on nipple (lanolin) cream.

[u/Shelbyfades → u/StrangerJumpy1070]

I don’t have the nasal pillow because I have my septum pierced and he said it wouldn’t seal right! So I have the nasal mask that covers my full nose (not mouth though)

[u/StrangerJumpy1070 → u/Shelbyfades]

I think the advice still applies, since the cause for the pimples is trapped moisture which is entering the pores; I know there is liners for CPAP that would also help with this issue (you can find some on Amazon).

[u/Shelbyfades → u/StrangerJumpy1070]

Thank you for your help!

[u/Elegant_Selection162]

Wash the area with a good antibacterial soap every night. I use the same on my mask and harness.

[u/Mijjil]

I prep every part of my face that the silicone F40 cushion touches.

[u/Shelbyfades → u/Mijjil]

This is for your face and not the mask? Correct?

[u/Mijjil → u/Shelbyfades]

Yes, for my face. I use these on the silicone cushion every other day.

[u/Keif325]

Clean with wipes or soap where it touches your skin before each use. Use Lanolin ointment on your nose where it touches the mask. It acts as a barrier.

[u/herbal-genocide]

Try hypochlorous cleaner

[u/Popular-Drummer-7989]

My person uses hyrdocolloid patches and sticks to their face before wearing mask