Face masks have flooded the market, ranging from clay masks, sheet masks, gel masks, exfoliating masks, peel-off and overnight masks.
The question is are face masks good for the skin? Should you invest time and money in these masks and can they harm your skin.
Face masks can improve the texture of the skin minimize pores, fight acne, heal blemishes, protect and nourish the skin. Hydrating masks especially those having
Though I mention that face masks are good for the skin, you should be careful of what you apply on the face. The skin is so fine, using the wrong products can actually harm it.
If you have dry, pigmented skin do not use any face mask which has clay, essential oils and fragrance. They just harm the skin and can damage
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How often to use Face Mask
Typically face masks are used twice a week. If your face mask is hydrating and has aloe vera, antioxidants, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and vitamins you can use it daily.
Exfoliating face masks, face masks for
Products containing AHA and BHA can cause itching, irritation and damage the skin so do not use the often.
Clay based face masks suck out moisture, natural oils, toxins and dirt. These can severely dry the skin and should be used less often. If you really want to use a clay mask leave it one for just 5 minutes. Do not let it dry, when it dries it will dehydrate the skin.
Is Using a Face Mask Everyday Bad?
Face masks can be used daily if you are using hydrating masks. I used to use the red wine sleeping mask every day and it really helped my skin.
Avoid face masks with fragrance, they can definitely irritate the skin. If your skin tends to pigment, then be careful of what mask you use everyday. Inflammation and irritation will cause the skin to pigment more.
Should I cleanse before Face Mask?
Cleansing is an important step which shouldn’t be skipped.Cleanse your face thoroughly before applying the face mask. Face masks are applied to clean dry skin. Remove all traces of makeup, dirt, bacteria and pollution using a cleanse which is suited for your skin type.
Ensure that your hands are clean else the bacteria from your fingers can enter through your skin.
Do you wash your Face After a Face Mask?
This totally depends on the type of mask you are using. Some masks need to be rinsed off.
Clay masks and mud masks have a thick consistency. They dry after 15 to 20 minutes. You should wash them off as the clay contains all the impurities and grime it has drawn from your skin.
Sheet Masks are hydrating masks loaded with serum. Once you remove the sheet mask you need to pat the serum into your skin. Do not wash after applying a sheet mask.
Overnight masks need to be left on the skin till the next morning.
Magnetic masks need not be washed off. They are removed using a magnet.
What should I put on my face after a mask?
All masks need to be followed by a moisturizer. Some people argue that a hydrating mask need not be followed by a moisturizer but I disagree.
If you are using a drying mask like a clay or mud mask, you must apply moisturizer. This mask can dry the skin es
Even if you are using sheet masks or hydrating masks, lock in the moisture using a moisturiser.
Is Sleeping Mask Good for your Skin?
Sleeping mask help your skin rejuvenate through the night. They lock in moisture in the skin and also some masks can assist with cellular renewal and skin lightening.
Dry Skin benefits the most with the intense hydration provided by sleeping masks. Most masks can be used everyday and overtime skin looks fresher and younger.
Cleanse and moisturize your skin before applying the mask. You can also apply serums before applying the mask. The mask locks in everything, so your serum will also have time to penetrate the skin.
Oily Skin people and people with acne need to be cautious with sleeping masks. Oil is sealed into the skin, hence chances of breakouts are higher for people with oily skin.
Use masks with retinol to address wrinkles and fine lines.
Sleeping masks are really good for the face and can provide many benefits through the night. The skin has many hours to rest and repair.
Benefits of Face Masks
They deliver active concentrated ingredients over extended periods of time, hence are quite beneficial to the skin. Face masks can help address issues with skin texture and oiliness. Face masks do not really penetrate into the inner layers of the skin, hence all benefits seen are temporary.
Oily Skin
If you have sensitive and pigmented skin look for masks having exfoliating and depigmenting properties. Since your skin is sensitive you should look for ingredients which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Oily skin benefits from sulfur which pulls out the excess oils from skin and has acne fighting properties.
Dry Skin
Try to use masks which are rich in Sulfur which helps reduce inflammation. Hydrating masks are good for dry skin.
Natural Homemade Face Masks
Homemade face masks have similar benefits like the store bought ones. I prefer these as they have natural ingredients and can not harm the skin ( just be careful of lemon).
Oatmeal Mask
Mix raw oatmeal with water, milk and honey. Apply on face, leave for 10 minutes and wash off. This mask reduces inflammation, breakouts, moisturizes skin. Honey can moisturize and breaks down sebum or oil. Milk moisturises the skin and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Gelatin Mask
Mix Gelatin with milk and honey and warm it till gelatin dissolves. Apply on face and peel off. Gelatin dries and cleans the pores.
Gelatin can dry and clean the pores
Clay Mask
If you have oily skin use a clay mask. Mix Bentonite clay with apple cider vinegar. Clay controls the oil, exfoliates and has antibacterial properties which prevents acne.
Related Questions
Disadvantages of Face Masks
Face masks only work superficially. They do not really address any core issues of the skin. Fine Lines, wrinkles and other signs of ageing need to be addressed in the inner layers of the skin.Skin masks do not penetrate into those layer.
They can at the most provide hydration,tighten pores and remove impurities and toxins from the skin.
How do Clay Masks Draw out Impurities
Clay masks usually contain Kaolin and Bentonite. Kaolin exfoliates deadcells, removes debris and detoxifies.
Bentonite clay is good for acne prone skin. It reduces acne inflammation,shrinks the pores and detoxifies the skin.
Clay masks, in general, detoxify skin, absorb excess oils, tighten the skin, cleanse the pores and literally suck up the debris.
Clay masks draw out moisture from the skin when they dry out, this is what causes a temporary shrinking of pores. So if you have large pores applying a clay mask just before your special event.
Do Korean Face Masks Work
Korean face masks have temporary benefits. They only work on the outer layer of the skin the epidermis. The two inner layers of the skin the dermis and hypodermis are responsible for producing collagen and elastin. Korean face masks cannot penetrate through to these layers. So if you are looking for long term benefits they dont work.