Facial masks can play a significant role when dealing with dehydrated skin, oily skin, or dry skin, and want to do everything possible to help. People have been using facial masks as part of their skin care routine for millennia.
Cleopatra was said to have used dead sea mud, clay, and egg whites as facial masks in ancient Egypt, and other cultures followed by natural facial and skin care regimens. Regardless of the ingredients used, all acknowledged the importance of caring for the skin.
The question is: Should you use one? And if so, how will you benefit from it, and how often should you use the facial mask? This article has the answers!
What Are Facial Masks?
Dr. Shilpi Khetarpal, a dermatologist at Cleveland Clinic, says that when it comes to skincare, cleansing, daily moisturizing, and daily sunscreen should be a priority. However, she added that a facial mask can also be complementary to a good skin care regimen.
Facial masks work by steering ingredients closer and deeper into the skin, infusing the pores, and allowing the skin to soak up more of the ingredients found on the product. They can have the immediate effect that users are looking for, but they may be temporary. Then again, facial masks can give you a glow or boost for an event.
Prior to using a facial mask, be sure to wash your face with warm water and clean it with a gentle cleanser to remove any dirt, makeup, or residue. Using warm water enables the pores to stay open and for the ingredients to seep in the face better.
Ensuring that you get top-quality masks from reputable companies is vital. Thus, choosing pharmacies like pharmacy Malaysia online guarantees that you will receive the kind of facial mask product you need for your skin care routine without worrying about the potential health consequences caused by fake products.
What Are The Benefits Of Using A Facial Mask?
Some of the benefits of using facial masks, according to Discover Good Nutrition, include:
- Relaxation: Facial masks don’t just offer results that boost the overall appearance of the skin, but they can also be quite therapeutic. When they are infused with aromatic essential oils like rosemary and mint, a facial mask can lift your spirit by stimulating your senses.
- Deep cleansing: A proper facial mask can help draw out impurities that hide beneath the top layers of the epidermis.
- Unclog pores: Masking with a product that contains Bentonite clay helps absorb excess oils and eliminate dirt as well as the build-up of dead skin cells that accumulate in the skin. Once all of this debris is taken out of the surface of the skin, it will also help unclog pores. This will prevent the production of bacteria from the pores which can lead to breakouts or even pimples.
- Glowing skin: Facial masks, specifically those with tingly mint in the formulation, can help stimulate blood circulation. The process of the mask drying on the skin and starting to harden, followed by the removal of the mask, causes an expansion in the blood vessels in your skin. This ensures an overall enhancement in skin tone.
- Helps your overall regimen: Facial masking helps all of your other skin care products to work more effectively. If you want your serums, day creams, and nighttime products to be absorbed by the skin faster and deeper, then a facial mask is a must.
What Type Of Facial Mask Is Best For You?
Dr. Nikhil Dhingra, a board-certified dermatologist of Spring Street Dermatology in New York, cautioned users when she told Healthline that using a mask for the sake of doing something for your skin can be risky and lead to a surprising number of skin issues, including irritation, dryness, redness, and breakouts.
Thus, she advises users to get to know their skin first and head straight to the ingredients list. She also added that the ingredients should fit your skin type and ideally address a specific concern.
Nancy Reagan, a licensed aesthetician and founder of Bella Reina Spa in Delray Beach, Florida, enumerated and expounded the various types of facial masks. These include:
- Cream Masks: Normal to dry skin types will benefit from cream masks, which are rich in moisturizers and oils that penetrate deeply and replenish dry cells.
- Clay Masks: Restorative, moisturizing clay masks that naturally detoxifies skin as it hydrates without oil are a good option for oily and normal skin types. Clay masks are occlusive, meaning they close off the skin to the air, thus causing the brain to send down natural skin plumpers while detoxing, firming, and tightening the skin at the same time.
- Gel Masks: The cooling and soothing effect of gel masks are ideal for dry and sensitive skin types that require hydration ahead of detoxifying and firming. A gel mask is infused with antioxidants and collagen that help these skin types to recover.
- Sheet Masks: Popularized in Korea, although this type of mask works well with all skin types based on the formulas it contains, sheet masks are particularly excellent for resistant skin types when paired with serums.
- Exfoliating Masks: This is ideal for most skin types. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is advised to try enzyme masks. An exfoliating mask purges deep-seated dirt in the pores and sloughs off dulling dead skin cells using fruit enzymes (typically from pineapple and papaya) and hydroxy acids (like lactic and glycolic acids). They also have natural skin-brightening properties or that instant healthy, lit-from-within glow.
According to Chérie Ditre, MD, Director of the Skin Enhancement Center and Associate Professor of Dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania, of Penn Medicine, says that once you find the facial mask that works for you, work it into your skin care regimen. She also advised users to use the mask after serum but before moisturizer, or for nighttime masks rather than your nighttime moisturizer.
A good rule of thumb for any facial mask you select, as mentioned by Paula’s Choice Skin Care, is to avoid ones that contain irritating ingredients like alcohol, eucalyptus, and camphor (natural and synthetic).
How Often Should You Use A Facial Mask?
According to Florida Academy, the question as to how often a facial mask should be used depends on several factors, such as:
- Your skin type
- Your age
- The weather
- The time of year
For oily skin
A clay mask works well to pull out the oil, but it should only be worn for 15 minutes and no more than three times a week. Clay masks are also more effective if they are not dried completely. Look for ones that feature alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) or hyaluronic acid.
For dry and sensitive skin
For this type of skin, hydrating masks are best and should include ceramides and hyaluronic acid, olive oil, aloe (for extra moisture) as well as oatmeal (to de-stress sensitive skin). Do not use face masks more than once a week as they can dry out the skin even more.
For mature skin
Face masks with antioxidants helps fight free radicals and collagen to enhance elasticity. Argan oil and shea butter, on the other hand, can add moisture and help reduce fine lines. Niacinamide is an essential anti-aging ingredient as well. However, if you use an anti-aging mask, be sure to apply it no more than twice a week. More advanced masks, such as the Omnilux mask, provide more noticeable benefits. This type of mask reduces fine lines and wrinkles, as well as promotes skin renewal, with no down time.
Consider the weather and season
Skin tends to be dryer in the cold season than in the summer. When it’s cold outside, your cheeks can become chapped and red, and they require more attention. You can safely use a moisturizing mask several times a week during cold climates. In summer, if you’re producing more oil due to the heat, you can apply masks with seaweed but only once a week.
Though it may be tempting, do not overuse your face mask. Follow the instructions placed on the product or seek advice from a professional for proper use of a face mask or if you are allowed to use a face mask at all.
Conclusion
Looking at the benefits of using face masks, it will not be wrong to say that it’s well with the effort and time to add it to your weekly, beauty skin care regimen–as long as you follow some tips and advice mentioned above.