Face masks offer a convenient, fast way to deliver targeted skincare ingredients quickly to the skin’s surface, but overindulgence could have the opposite effect and leave your complexion looking and feeling irritated.
Effective use of topical products requires understanding their operation. Whether using DIY blends or purchasing one at the drugstore, it’s vital that you do your research prior to use.
Exfoliating
As their names imply, these masks gently resurface the skin by exfoliating away dry and dead cells that clog it up. Frequent exfoliation leaves your complexion looking and feeling more polished while helping minimize hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tones.
An exfoliating face mask is a gentle solution for unclogging pores and eliminating blackheads without irritating skin. Look for formulas containing exfoliating ingredients such as hydroxy acids to gently eliminate impurities while smoothing over skin surfaces.
Make sure that your skin doesn’t end up feeling dehydrated after exfoliation by applying a rich face cream that locks in moisture – try the Camu Glow Transforming Mask which contains both bentonite and kaolin clay systems along with plant extracts for maximum hydration and antioxidative protection. Using a facial roller or massage tool such as gua sha after applying this face mask may also help ease out any muscle tensions while aiding absorption of its product.
Hydrating
An effective face mask is an invaluable skin care ritual, taking cleansing one step further. While daily cleanser remove oil, dirt and makeup impurities from skin’s surface, masks help lock in moisture with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and shea butter that work to seal moisture into cells and restore their surface layers.
Those prone to oiliness should look for products containing ingredients like licorice root, aloe vera and cucumber; salicylic acid and niacinamide may help unclog pores; while pigment targeting ingredients like kojic acid, licorice root and vitamin C can prevent hyperpigmentation and dark marks.
People with extra-dry skin should look for a cream mask with moisturizing and nourishing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, shea butter, cocoa powder and coconut oil that help bind water molecules to skin more securely and make it water resistant. Chanel’s Hydra Beauty face mask offers rich nourishment while providing both humectant hydration as well as occlusive components to make skin soft and comfortable.
Brightening
Brightening face masks are designed to address dark spots, clogged pores and uneven skin tones for glowing and rejuvenated complexions. Editor and Beauty Director Hadley King suggests looking for masks with hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid as well as exfoliating acids like glycolic and salicylic acids for maximum efficacy – she suggests using them twice weekly.
Shauna Beni-Hayne loves this mask for its ability to revitalize her skin by reducing post-acne discoloration and clearing congestion without irritating sensitive skin. Plus, its light and airy texture means no drying or tightness upon application!
This cult-favorite mask is ideal for overnight use and can serve both as an intensive treatment and weekly refresher. The rich formula hydrates skin deeply while increasing collagen production for firmer results; additionally, actives like charcoal extract help eliminate impurities and blackheads for instantaneous results – an editor Alyssa Kaplan swears by this product for instant smoother and even-toned complexion!
Purifying
Purifying masks are an excellent way to address breakouts or simply improve your complexion, using ingredients which minimize pore size and absorb excess sebum to leave skin mattified. Most purifying masks also contain antibacterial components such as charcoal powder, licorice root extract or niacinamide that work to cleanse debris away from the pores.
Mario Badescu’s mask combines kaolin clay, oat flour and collagen for an intensively hydrating experience. A tester reported it sat comfortably on her face like a thick refrigerated moisturizer; plus she enjoyed that it wasn’t drying or burning her face!
This past Best of Beauty award winner contains an innovative combination of responsibly-sourced white and bentonite clays, combined with charcoal powder to target blackheads and excess oil. When tested by one tester, her pores appeared smaller after using this mask, as did her complexion which looked brighter and more even afterwards.
