All About Face Masks

All About Face Masks

Face Masks

Face masks deliver highly concentrated actives, vitamins and nutrients to the skin to enhance its appearance, consistency and overall health. They work by driving ingredients closer and deeper into the skin, infusing the pores and allowing the skin to soak up more product by creating a barrier between the skin and the air around. They are great additions to any skincare routine to target specific skin care concerns and give the skin an instant boost.

The Benefits

— Hydrates, moisturizes and plumps the skin

— Absorbs excess oil, dirt and dead skin cells

— Improves the appearance of spots

— Decongests clogged pores

— Balances and tones the skin

— Pulls out impurities

— Improves skin texture and appearance

— Minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

— Enhances elasticity

— Brightens dark spots

Face Mask Forms

— Sheet Masks. Sheet masks are single-use sheets enriched with active ingredients to address specific skincare problems. The sheet is usually made of soft, flexible materials, and filled with nourishing serums with one or more active ingredients.

— Peel-Off Masks. Peel-off masks are spread as a continuous coating over the whole face and peeled off after the prescribed duration of time. These masks don’t usually have many actives as they’re not designed to penetrate the skin, instead, they strip the exterior skin layer of dead skin cells, causing a brighter, new layer of skin to show underneath.

— Wash-off Masks. Wash-off masks are masks that are designed to be removed from the skin after about 10 minutes with lukewarm water. They come in various forms (cream, gel, clay, scrub) and have various benefits depending on the active ingredients.

— Sleeping Masks. Sleeping masks are meant to be applied before bed and left on throughout the night (when the skin’s permeability and regeneration are at their highest). They are jam-packed with active ingredients and penetrate the skin throughout the night to help support cell regeneration and boost elasticity for smoother, firmer skin.

Use

Masks can be applied anywhere from 1 — 3 times a week.

Patch Test

Always patch test a product on a small area of the face before spreading it all over the face (especially if the face mask is homemade) to make sure you can tolerate the ingredients.

Application

Apply the mask in a thin, even layer onto cleansed skin. Cover the entire face, neck and décolletage and avoid the eyes and lips. Leave the mask on for the specified amount of time (this will vary from mask to mask). Rinse off and apply moisturizer while the skin is still damp.

Key Ingredients

It is important to pick a face mask with the ingredients that best suit your skin type and skin concern the best.

Hydrating masks for dry skin

Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, aloe vera, honey, squalane, vitamin E, linoleic acid, honey, lactic acid, plant oils, and butters.

Masks for oily skin

Clay, charcoal, beta hydroxy acids (salicylic acid), sulfur, honey, witch hazel and niacinamide.

Masks for acne & blemishes

Beta hydroxy acids (salicylic acid), alpha hydroxy acids (mandelic acid), bakuchiol, retinol, bidens pilosa, tea tree oil, witch hazel, azelaic acid, zinc, niacinamide and sulfur.

Exfoliating masks

Alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic, lactic, citric and malic acid), beta hydroxy acids (salicylic acid), kojic acid, phytic acid, bakuchiol, retinol, bidens pilosa, fruit enzymes, jojoba beads and micro-exfoliating minerals.

Soothing masks for sensitive & irritated skin

Aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, centella asiatica, calendula, green tea extract, oatmeal, shea butter, chamomile, licorice root, hemp, reishi mushroom and niacinimide.

Skin brightening masks for dull skin, dark spots & hyperpigmentation

Fruit enzymes, vitamin C, kojic acid, azelaic acid, bakuchiol, retinol, bidens pilosa, niacinamide, fruit enzymes, caffeine and alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic, mandelic and lactic acid).

Anti-aging masks for fine lines & wrinkles

Vitamin C, vitamin E, CoQ10, bakuchiol, retinol, bidens pilosa, resveratrol, niacinamide, polyhydroxy acids, ceramides, peptides, ferulic acid, azelaic acid, alpha hydroxy acid (lactic and glycolic acid), beta hydroxy acid (salicylic acid) and other antioxidants.

Ingredients in Homemade Face Masks

— Dairy (milk and yogurt). Dairy contains lactic acid, which exfoliates the skin, tightens pores, brightens the skin and improves overall skin texture.

— Aloe vera. Aloe vera soothes, brightens and calms chronic skin problems.

— Oatmeal. Oatmeal is a gentle exfoliator that helps calm and soothe irritations.

— Papaya. Papaya contains enzymes, which can brighten the skin.

— Berries. Berries are superfoods high in antioxidants that help repair skin cells, firm the skin barrier and promote anti-aging.

— Coffee. Coffee exfoliates dead skin cells and removes dirt from pores.

— Avocado. Avocado is rich in fats, which helps smooth and plump the skin’s texture.

— Honey. Honey softens and moisturizes the skin and helps to unclog pores.

— Turmeric. Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory ingredient that helps calm acne and reduces scarring.

— Lemon. Lemon is a natural skin brightener and anti-bacterial that can help eliminate dark spots and create a clearer complexion.

Tips for Applying Face Masks

— Use consistently. Using a face mask once, and once only, won’t do you much good. But regular use can help you achieve your goals. Use the same mask for at least 2 months before making your mind up.

— Don’t leave it on for too long. It’s easy to think that the longer a face mask is left on, the more effective it becomes. But resist the temptation to leave any mask on for longer than instructed, as it could end up irritating the skin. Face masks often contain active ingredients, that if left on for a longer time than intended, can give negative results.

—Don't Overdo It. Don’t apply a face mask as often as possible. Start slow and find a rhythm that works for you — once or twice a week is pretty typical.

— Consider Multi-Masking. If you have combination skin, you could very likely benefit from multi-masking, or applying different types of masks on different parts of the face. The process can be a bit labor-intensive, but it very much supports the skin.

— Price doesn’t indicate quality. The most expensive face mask isn’t necessarily the best. Some masks won’t work for your skin, and that likely has little to do with their price and a lot to do with their formulation. Find formulas that are suited for your skin type and skin concerns.