LB736 Wearing N95 masks does not disrupt the facial skin microbiome

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has elevated concern about mask-related skin problems like so-called ‘maskne’ which is likely rooted in the skin microbiome. We therefore determined if wearing an N95 mask affects the skin microbiome in a 3-day controlled study. On Day 1, subjects (n=10) followed their normal office routine without a mask. On Days 2 and 3, subjects wore an N95 mask (3M Model 8210) from morning to late afternoon (6 hours). The same mask was used both days. Microbiome diversity and composition (16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, V1-V3), stratum corneum (SC) barrier function (TEWL), SC hydration, skin redness and follicular porphyrins were measured on the cheek (masked site) and forehead (control site) each morning and afternoon.