Is there anything better than coming home from a long week, and putting on a face mask, and watching your favorite TV show? Well, face masks aren’t just fun, they’re actually a very important part of your weekly skincare routine.
Why Should I Apply a Facial Mask? What are the Benefits of Face Masks?
From a physiological standpoint, when the face is covered up, it tries to push off whatever is on the skin’s surface. Masks activate your inner resources so that your skin can heal, hydrate, or whatever the purpose is of the mask being used. Masks also contain a high concentration of active ingredients that can speed up the process of reaching your skincare goals.
When it comes to benefits, it really depends on the type of mask being used, and the skin concerns you want to target. Masks can help fill in wrinkles and fine lines, remove dead skin cells, lighten dark spots, shrink the appearance of pores among other benefits.
When should I apply the face mask? Before or after applying my skincare?
There isn’t a set time for masking. They can be applied in the morning, as a refreshing way to start your day, as a part of your nightly routine, or some masks can even be applied overnight, which can be very convenient if you just don’t have the time to sit for 15-20 minutes. I mean, sometimes our days get so busy, we just don’t feel like rinsing the mask off. When it comes to your skincare routine, you can apply the mask after cleansing or toning.
How often should I apply face masks?
About 3 times per week should be your absolute minimum, according to Nancy. For those with sensitive skin or dehydrated skin, you can mask every single day. Now, this doesn’t include a clay mask, since that would just dry out your skin completely, but a moisturizing mask to give your skin that extra boost of moisture or hydration. Hyaluron masks are perfect to hydrate the skin! It all comes down to the type of mask used and your skin type.
What type of face mask is best for different skin types?
There are so many brands, and so many types of masks, it’s hard sometimes to even know which one to use. Nancy broke it down for us:
Clay Masks:
These are great for those with acne-prone skin. Especially on that contains kaolin clay or bentonite clay. These types of clay help remove impurities from the skin and clear out your pores. Charcoal masks or clay masks help unclog pores and prevent breakouts. Ideally using a clay mask that also contains hydrating ingredients is wonderful for the skin because it doesn’t only remove impurities, but also moisturizes the skin at the same time.
Gel Masks:
Gel masks are fabulous for those with irritation in the skin. They soothe and calm any irritation in the skin. They can also help the skin post-acne extractions to soothe the skin, especially one containing chamomile. Gel masks can also help people with rosacea to soothe irritation.
Cream Masks:
These types of masks are super moisturizing. They can also help plump the skin, depending on the ingredients found in the mask.
Sheet Masks:
Sheet masks are effective, as well as convenient. Sheet masks can target several different skin concerns, depending on the ingredients and serums that the mask contains.
Exfoliating Masks:
Nancy’s favorite: an exfoliating mask. Exfoliating masks are wonderful because they exfoliate your skin, while also hydrating the skin.
Are sheet masks effective? Why do they work so well?
Sheets masks definitely work! The reason why they work so well is that they are occlusive, and they cover the skin so well, that the skin is absorbing all the active ingredients and serums. The more occlusive the mask is, the more the skin will absorb the serums being put on it.
Can I double mask?
Double masking is great for people with an oily T-Zone or combination skin. If you have combination skin, apply a mask for oily skin, such as a clay mask on your oily T-Zone, and a moisturizing mask on the dryer parts of your face.
Are homemade masks safe to use?
Yes, and they can be active and quite effective. For example cherries, blueberries, and they’re fermented, or honey, and they’re used as a mask, they can make a huge difference in your skin. However, they are more short-term than a mask that contains ingredients such as peptides.
What type of ingredients should I look for in a face mask?
It really depends on your skin type and skin concerns. However, when you purchase a mask, check the ingredient labels. The active ingredients will be on the top line. That’s how you know that you’re purchasing a mask with ingredients that actually work. You want to get a mask that’s going to be active.