The Manchester skincare brands treating ‘maskne’ during the pandemic
‘Maskne’ is the latest skin struggle that everyone is facing, but getting rid of these uncomfortable blemishes is easier than ever thanks to these Manchester skincare brands.
Everyone gets bad skin from time to time. Whether it’s due to hormones, stress or an unhealthy lifestyle, a sudden burst of blemishes can function as a reminder that we should be kinder to our skin.
But the newest influx of breakouts is completely out of our control: ‘Maskne’. A hybrid of the words ‘mask’ and ‘acne’, this skin invasion is caused by the heat and friction produced by regularly wearing a face mask.
Whether it’s from the trapped air, the oils of your skin or the moist environment created by talking, this is a breeding ground for blemishes to develop and can’t easily be avoided.
If you’re struggling with spots during the pandemic, these Manchester skincare brands have got you covered to minimise your maskne.
Calendula and Mandarin Hot Cloth Cleanser – Stripped Skincare
The first step to blitzing any blemishes is to ensure that your skin is clean and free from any bacteria.
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Calendula and Mandarin Hot Cloth Cleanser is suitable for spot-prone, oily and combination skin, as it balances the production of sebum.
Not only is it relaxing and gentle to massage this product into the skin, but it’ll leave your face feeling revitalised and ready to fight off any acne.
This revolutionary product from Buddha Beauty is your skincare saviour in a sponge.
Infused with black konjac and activated charcoal, it will deeply clean your skin and help to eliminate any dirt and excess oils. The natural antioxidant ingredients also offer a natural treatment targeted towards acne.
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All you need to do is add water to this sponge and apply it to your face to start seeing results, which is much less abrasive than using a flannel that may irritate any blemishes.
Manchester Storm announce partnership with USAsports including NHL pop-ups and more
Danny Jones
Manchester Storm have announced a landmark new deal with USAsports, a dedicated home for British fans of North American sporting disciplines and global merchandising suppliers, which will see various exciting events this upcoming season.
Confirming the collaboration ahead of the pending 2026/27 campaign, this crossover will involve everything from special pop-up events to player sponsorships and much more.
USAsports specialise in officially licensed NHL, NFL, NBA and MLB clothing, and while you may have seen the odd jersey here and there at various Greater Manchester locations, they are now gearing up to work with Manchester Storm to deliver better exposure.
Whether you’re just a die-hard member of the Storm Shelter or an ex-pat who still follows an NHL franchise overseas, kit collecting and the fascination surrounding limited edition team jumpers is a big part of ice hockey fandom and culture not just here in the UK but around the world.
Sharing their own announcement, they wrote: “Manchester Storm are thrilled to announce a new partnership with USAsports for the 2026/27 Motorpoint Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) season as the club embarks on an exciting new chapter at the AO Arena.
“As part of the partnership, USAsports will sponsor a Manchester Storm player throughout the season and deliver multiple NHL Pop-Up Shop events at Storm home games during the forthcoming campaign.”
On the subject of sponsorship, commercial entities are the only people who will be given the opportunity to back big players this term, as Storm are once again bringing back their ‘own-and-loan’ scheme.
Speaking on working closely with their new partners, the club’s General Manager, Ryan Finnerty, added: “We’re delighted to have USAsports on board for the 2026/27 season.
“Their passion for the fan experience really stood out to us, and their NHL Pop-Up Shops throughout the season will be a fantastic addition to game days at the AO Arena.
“We’re looking forward to working together throughout what promises to be a very exciting season.”
As casual fans here at The Manc, we’ll admit that watching the growing buzz around the resurgent ice hockey team, especially ahead of their Manchester city centre ‘homecoming’, has got us amped to dive deeper into the sport when it gets back underway next month. We’re not the only ones, either…
Drama Call opening first-ever flagship shop in Manchester
Danny Jones
Streetwear superstars Drama Call are opening their new flagship store and first-ever permanent site in Manchester city centre this weekend.
Expect massive queues and lots turning up wearing the increasingly recognisable starry logo.
Already a much-loved brand not just here in 0161 but across the nation at large, the native independent business turned street-style favourites and UK fashion phenomenon are no strangers to HUGE pop-ups in their hometown.
However, they’ve never had a mainstay location anywhere in the country, let alone Greater Manchester – well, until now, that is…
Credit: Press shots (supplied)
Debuting in the Northern Quarter this Sunday, the venue located on Tib Street will effectively serve as Drama Call‘s new HQ.
The local label has done everything from popping up vans with Manc rapper Aitch to collaborating with Man United for multiple limited edition collections, so it only felt like a matter of time before they’d make a big brick-and-mortar splash in our fair city.
Most notably, they’re also taking over the same unit as the Sheep Shop, a former skate shop and legendary urban clothing tastemaker of the 90s; they were one of the first places in Britain to stock famous names like Stüssy, Supreme, Carhartt, The North Face and many more.
With that in mind, it feels only fitting that they carry on the trendsetting tradition from the same premises, and just spitting distance from the likes of Note, as well.
And that’s not all, either: before the full launch, they’ll also be holding an exclusive cash-only shirt swap event, where a limited number of certain collector’s items will be sold for as little as £10.
Other things to note are the additions of signed vinyls by homegrown artists such as the aforementioned Aitch and even The Smiths.
In fact, the store will also feature strictly Mancunian exclusives, too.
Everything from polo shirts and tees to branded mugs, matchboxes and other accessories will be available in-store only.
NQ is bound to be buzzing across launch weekend, with doors officially opening to the public on Sunday, and we wouldn’t be surprised if you see people camping outside the front well ahead of time.
What a moment the Manc shopping scene is having right now.
Daisy Bradbury -
30th October 2020 
