How Facial Masks Can Help Your Skin
Facial masks are generally applied to address certain skincare concerns. It is very important to get the right face mask for your skin. A face mask is applied after cleansing, exfoliating, massage, extraction, and skin analysis. Inform yourself and understand your skin concerns before going for a facial mask. It is important to first determine whether your skin is red, dry, oily, dehydrated, or sensitive.
There are many kinds of facial masks available – take some time to look at all that is being offered. Masks are generally kept on for 10-15 minutes and will have ingredients like vitamins, aloe vera, seaweed, essential oils, black moor mud, clay, herbs, and massage oils.
You may wonder why you should even get a facial mask … so, let’s first look at some of the benefits of facial masks.
Benefits of facial masks
Women – as well as men – can benefit greatly from applying face masks. They are mostly applied to address various skin care concerns – and if you are going to try a homemade skin mask, know what ingredients can help address your specific concerns.
Benefits of face masks include:
- Getting rid of excess oils
- Unclogging pores
- Hydrating skin and keeping it moisturized
- Removing impurities
- Brightening the skin
- Soothing and softening of the skin
- Addresses skin aging by reducing wrinkles
How do facial masks work?
The facial mask helps in trapping the ingredients used to create a film that hydrates, exfoliates, moisturizes, or dries the skin – depending on the ingredients used and the mask’s purpose. It does not matter whether it is retinoid to brighten those dark spots, salicylic acid to deal with that stubborn acne, or Vitamin C to deal with the fine lines – facial masks are very effective in treating skin problems, when used correctly and regularly.
Which facial masks are the best?
Face masks should not be part of your daily skincare routine, but should be applied only as often as recommended on the package. Here are some different facial masks to choose from:
- Drunk Elephant T.L.C Sukari Baby Face Mask
For uneven skin texture, flaccid skin, dull complexion, clogged pores, or discoloration. Twenty minutes of this mask will leave you feeling like a new person.
Advantages:
- Airtight container
- Clear results
- Good for multiple skin problems
- Not harsh on the skin
Disadvantages:
Too expensive (80$)
Ingredients: glycolic acid, chickpea flow, salicylic acid, and lactic acid
2. Cetaphil Pro derma control purifying clay mask
If you are on a budget and don’t have dry skin, this is mask is just perfect for you.
Advantages
- It is affordable
- Helps with clogged pores
- It is fragrance-free
- Helps brighten your skin
- It is exfoliating
Disadvantages
- It may not be the go-to for dry skin
Ingredients: petrolatum, kaolin, and cucumber seeds
3. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating 100% Hydrogel Mask
It is great for plumping, hydrating and smoothening skin.
Advantages
- Fuller skin appearance
- Affordable
- Non-greasy
- Helps in plumping
- Helps with hydrating skin
Disadvantages
- It has a fragrance
- It contains dye
Active ingredients: hyaluronic acid
4. Laneige Cicu Sleeping Mask
It is the best overnight mask for your face. It soothes the skin and is great for dealing with redness. It contains Centella Asiatica, which is well known for its effects in dealing with acne, as well as nourishing shea butter for skin barrier replenishment.
Advantages
- Reduces redness
- Addresses blemishes
- Soothes skin
- Strengthening
- Hydrating
Disadvantages
- It can be a bit sticky
Active ingredients: shea butter, Centella Asiatica, fermented yeast, and squalene
Which mask is best for which skin type?
- Summer Friday Jet Lay Mask- dry skin
This facial mask is great for dry skin. Its fragrance-free formula combines shea butter, hyaluronic, and ceramides to moisturize your skin. Vitamin C together with niacinamide enhances your complexion.
Advantages
- It can act as a moisturizer
- Hydrates skin
- Fragrance-free
- Nourishes skin
Disadvantages
- Expensive
2. Versed Find Clarity Purify Mask- oily skin
This mask is great for oily skin. It offers an exfoliating effect. Ingredients like kaolin and bentonite clay make it a perfect fit for your skin’s oil reduction.
Advantages
- It regulates oil
- Prevention of breakout
- Treatment of spots
- It is not harsh on the skin
Disadvantages
- Expensive
Ingredients: bentonite clay, charcoal, and kaolin
3. Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay- acne
It is great for people who have oily skin – and who are also dealing with acne.
Advantages
- Prevention of breakouts
- Just one ingredient
- Great value
Disadvantage
- It can be a bit messy
Benefits
- It helps unclog pores
- Helps manage pimples (acne)
- It helps in reducing oils
Ingredient: bentonite clay
4. Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Masks – sensitive skin
This skincare face mask is great for sensitive skin. Its cooling and soothing effect helps with irritable complexion. Chamomile calms the skin, while the aloe juice helps in reducing redness. With this mask you have got all your bases covered when it comes to best face mask skincare for sensitive skin.
Advantages
- Helps in soothing your skin
- Helps in cooling
- Reduces redness
- Softening
- Healing
Disadvantages
- Contains dye
- Expensive
How to make face masks?
Why make a trip to your local spa if you can enjoy a home spa of your own making? The recipes below will teach you how to make your homemade face mask.
Banana mask
Pick a medium-sized banana (ripe) and mash it until you have a smooth paste. Keep it on for 10-20 minutes and then rinse it off with cold water. If you are dealing with acne you can add plain yogurt and 2 tbsps. of honey for better results.
Oatmeal mask
If you are looking for a hydrating face mask, then an oatmeal face mask is your remedy. Take ½ cup of hot water and 1/3 cup of oatmeal and mix them. Let them settle for 2-3 min., then add 2 tbsps. of plain yogurt and honey, plus a small egg white. Spread a thin layer of the mixture over your face and let it stay on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.
Mayonnaise mask
Here is a cheap and effective way for treating your skin. It is one of the easiest homemade face mask recipes. Use a whole egg mayonnaise right from the refrigerator, spread it over your face and keep it on for 20 minutes, then rinse with cool water.
Yogurt mask
Take 1 tsp of plain yogurt, ¼ slice of orange juice, orange pulp, 1tsp of aloe – spread a layer over your face, and keep it on for 5 minutes before rinsing off.
Mustard mask
The bacteria-fighting Sulphur makes it a good choice for inflammation-sensitive skin and acne. Put on a thin layer of mustard to help soothe your skin, keep it on for 15 minutes and rinse off with warm water. Start with trying it on a small area. This is to test if it irritates your skin.
Lemon mask
AHA’s, BHA’s, and hydroxyl acid types are necessary for removing dead skin. This in turn helps in clearing acne, discoloration, and blackheads. Mix 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup of sweet almond oil, 1/2 lemon juice, 1 tsp of honey, then spread on your face and leave it on for 15 minutes. Rinse using warm water.
Yeast mask
This is especially good for oily skin, recommended for young people. Ingredients are 0.25 ounces of dry yeast, 2 tsp of water to form a paste. Add more water for a better consistency. Apply it on your face and leave it on for 15 minutes, then rinse off.
Honey mask
Ingredients: 2/3 cup of instant oats, 1/2cup hot water. Heat the oats in hot water and let them sit for 5 minutes to thicken. As it sits, toss. 1/2 cored apple with 2 tsp of yogurt and honey, plus an egg white into the blender. Blend for 4 seconds at a pulse, add the oatmeal mixture and blend for 20 more seconds at a pulse. Spread the mixture on your face and keep it on for 15 minutes, then rinse off.
Egg mask
For dry skin use the yolk. Separate the yolk and beat it, then apply. For oily skin use the egg white to which you can add lemon or honey. For normal skin use the whole egg and leave it on for 30 minutes, then rinse off.
Milk mask
Mix ¼ cup powdered milk with water, until it forms a paste. Coat your face with a generous chunk of the mixture and leave ion until dry. Rinse off with warm water to leave your skin feeling rejuvenated.
How long is a bought facial mask good for?
They may last about 1-2 years, from the time that you open them. However, clay masks may dry faster than the estimated expiration date. It depends on the type of mask.
Some masks also contain some unstable ingredients, for example, vitamin E, which may degrade over time. A mask which uses activated charcoal cannot expire, if you use an airtight container and it doesn’t make contact with air.
Tips to keep facial masks fresher
- Use a spoon or spatula to scoop out the mix: this prevents the possibility of transferring bacteria that may be on your hands
- Keeping a sheet mask in a refrigerator adds some shelf life to your masks.
How to use face masks?
There are different types of face masks.
- Creams
- Sheets
- Gels – sensitive skin
- Mud
- Enzyme-acne prone skin
The most important step is understanding your skin type and finding the right mask. Some of the masks can be extended to the neck, and others require you to massage into the skin (it maximizes their efficacy)
Cream mask
Comes in 2 types: peel off and rinse off
Apply the mask using your fingertips, spread a thin layer over your face – be careful not to get it on your eyes, eyebrows, and lips.
Overnight mask
Smoothen the mask over the face in a thin layer and mind the eyes and lips.
Clay/mud mask
Scoop with fingertips ¼ sized amount and spread on your face – start from the upper neck up to your face.
Sheet mask
Carefully remove the sheet mask from the packaging and unfold it. Ensure that you do not tear it. Line it up with the shape of your face, mouth, nose, and eyes. Press it gently, following the form of your face and make it stick evenly.
Bubble mask
Spread ¼ sized amount on your face while keeping it off the eyes and lips.
How to remove and rinse off?
- Use lukewarm water to rub the mask off your face
- Do not rub vigorously
- Pat your face dry
Sheet/peel-off masks
- Peel the mask off gently
- Do not be in a hurry or pull too hard
- Once you have peeled it off proceed with your skincare routine, you do not have to rinse it off
Which mask is best for your face?
1. Acne radically rejuvenating sheet mask
Boosts your face in 15 minutes. Helps to rejuvenate your skin, thanks to vitamin C and hyaluronic acid.
2. Beauty by earth hydrating clay facial mask
This is great for unclogging pores – it is also good for soothing skin irritation, due to ingredients like shea butter and jojoba oil. It will calm and clear your face like no other.
3. Ursa major bright and easy flash mask
This is an enzyme mask. Massage it into your skin and leave it to dry for about 3 minutes and rinse off. It helps skin elasticity and is also great for brightening dull skin.
4. Lavido 2-in-1 purifying facial mask and exfoliator
This is a great and simple skincare routine to add to your schedule. It helps you get a radiant complexion due to its anti-aging properties. The exfoliator also helps get rid of dead skin. Being duo purpose is a benefit that works to minimize blemishes while stimulating circulation.
5. Tomatoes clear skin acne-fighting paper mask-single use
It contains tomato extracts, salicylic acid, and helps to reduce oils from your skin while clearing blackheads. It is not harsh on the skin and leaves you glowing.
6. Watermelon super fresh jelly mask
With ingredients like vitamin C and fresh watermelon, it aids as an exfoliator … softening, hydrating, and brightening the skin in the shortest time (10 minutes).
7. Buffs Dees refreshing cucumber sheet mask
It contains celery, which helps to instantly moisturize your skin and also helps in maintaining a PH balance. It also improves your skin texture. Includes natural extracts from plants or flowers.
8. OSEA white algae mask
It helps to brighten your complexion and also reduces redness to give off a luminous look. Hyaluronic acid locks in the moisture, leaving your skin hydrated and soft. This diminishes the appearance of wrinkles leaving the skin looking smooth.
Conclusion
Understanding your skin type is the first step in choosing the right face mask. Choose one that will address your own personal skincare concerns. It is important to look at the ingredients in a face mask to help you select a mask that is not harsh on your skin and offers the right combination of ingredients.
If you prefer homemade masks, make sure you first understand the different recipes and then get all the needed ingredients.
