In case you need the refresher: wearing a cloth face mask is one of the best ways (alongside frequent hand washing and social distancing) to control the spread of COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

And yes, wearing a mask for long periods of time can lead to frustrating acne flare-ups — but board-certified dermatologist Dr. Juliya Fisher, MD FAAD, stresses the importance of continuing to wear a mask anyway. Your health and safety should always be your top priority.

"Acne, caused by mask wearing, is commonly caused by a combination of factors — the moist environment inside the mask (sweating, humidity), oils from the skin, friction from wearing the mask, and makeup or other products on the skin," explains Dr. Fisher. "These contribute to the clogging of pores, which in turn, causes acne flares."

To help your skin bounce back, Dr. Fisher says a good face wash is a great starting point, since they clear away acne-causing bacteria. So, in order to find the best maskne-busting face washes, we tapped Dr. Fisher (and other skin care pros) to recommend some of their favorites.

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While it may be tempting to apply spot treatment to your breakouts, Dr. Fisher says that a beta-hydroxy acid (aka BHA) face cleanser is actually one of the most effective products to combat face mask-infused acne, since they help unclog pores and prevent new breakouts.

Salicylic acid — one of the most commonly used BHAs for treating acne — is the star ingredient in this particular cleanser. And in addition to the salicylic acid, it also incorporates moisturizing hyaluronic acid and ceramides into the formula as well, making it a great choice for those with dry skin. "Both of these ingredients help heal the skin's barrier, preventing your wash from irritating or drying out your skin," says Dr. Fisher.

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If you are looking for another salicylic acid cleanser to use, SKINNEY Medspa esthetician Josie Holmes suggests giving this option a try. It deep cleans pores, without leaving your skin feeling dehydrated afterwards.

"This cleanser will help to treat breakouts by utilizing a combination of salicylic, lactic, glycolic, citric, and malic acids," she explains.

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Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Craig A. Kraffert, MD, recommends this cleansing foam if you are looking for a deep-cleansing face wash that won't cause any residual dryness or tightness. It's jam packed with skin-boosting ingredients that keep pores free of acne-causing bacteria.

"This cleanser is made with key skin care ingredients: purified nano-sulfur, hyaluronic acid and allantoin, which refresh and pamper all skin types, including oily and acne-prone," he says.

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This cleanser can be an absolute lifesaver if you're living with super sensitive skin: Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King, MD, says it's gentle yet powerful enough to lift stubborn makeup and dirt from the face.

"This is a gentle foaming cleanser that emulsifies dirt and oil, pollution, and makeup," says King. "It's also very hydrating, as it contains both hyaluronic acid and aloe."

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