No matter what kind of skin you have, or what ailments have fallen upon it, you can ask yourself “is there a face mask for that?” and the answer will surely be yes. Considering how broad of a category they are, there’s a lot to unpack when it comes to discovering what the best mask for you is. That’s why today’s post is all about masks.
Broadly speaking, face masks are products that are meant to be applied, sit, and taken off. Many of them are harsh on the skin, and should only be used 1-3 times a week. There are two things that separate different masks from each other—how it’s applied, and what its benefits are. First, let’s break down the different application types.
Masks come in different shapes and sizes.
1) Cream masks: this is the face mask in its most basic form and probably closely resembles products you use regularly, like a moisturizer. You apply them just like a moisturizer, too, on fresh, clean skin with your fingers. The only difference is that you wash the excess product off after the recommended waiting period. Because they’re so general, they can be good for all skin types, but especially for normal to combination skin.
2) Sheet masks: these have to be a consumer favorite because they’re just so much fun and silly. A sheet mask is paper or cotton saturated in some form of skin care solution, much like how those handy makeup sheets are. Like cream masks, there are sheet masks for every skin type and problem, which is why they’re so ubiquitous in skin care sections.
And because when you’re done you simply remove the sheet and rub the excess product into your skin, they’re very convenient. Bring a couple nourishing sheet masks with you the next time you travel and your skin will be singing.
3) Peel masks: we know we said sheet masks were fun, but peeling masks really are the most fun. That’s because as the mask sits on your face, these form a thin, sticky layer of product that you then peel off, as the name implies. These remove the outer layer of skin from your face for a freshening, but don’t deep-clean pores. If your skin is already dry, these are ones to avoid, because peel masks are known to be very drying.
4) Gel masks: these are the best masks for dry skin, or sensitive skin, mainly because of the cooling and soothing nature of gel masks. Gel masks can be formulated for a couple different benefits, but because of the nature of gel, they always help with irritated skin. The most popular ingredients are aloe vera, chamomile & cucumber among others - this also makes them a great option if you're looking for face masks for sensitive skin.
5) Clay masks: we’ll be talking about the effects of clay masks in just a second, but they’re so unique their consistency deserves a mention here, too. The name here is very descriptive. Applying a clay mask is essentially like spreading mud on your face. But in a fun, adult kind of way.
However, this means they can be a little messy and cumbersome to remove. Clay masks are good for people with normal and especially oily skin. What do they do? We’re glad you asked!
Face Masks do just about everything.
1) Clay mask: most clay masks have a similar function—as a deep cleanser. We’d consider the very popular charcoal face masks as part of this category. Because of the chemical makeup of kaolin clay and charcoal they act as natural magnets that pull dirt, pollution, and more from your pores. Another clay and charcoal masks benefit: they absorb excess oil - this makes them the best face masks for oily skin.
2) Brightening masks: just like our Radiance Boosting Facial Serum, brightening masks are designed to make your face smoother and improve your natural glow. Brightening masks often come in the form of sheet or cream masks and clean ones contain natural ingredients like vegetable-derived vitamin C and bearberry. If you have an uneven complexion or pigmentation problems, these masks are for you.
3) Sleep masks: these are typically hydrating masks, and are a great option if your skin is in some serious moisture trouble. Sleep masks stay on overnight (but have a light texture to prevent it from getting on your pillow). Because they rest for such a long period of time, it really gives the ingredients in the mask time to work their magic, making them your ideal face masks for dry skin.
4) Exfoliating masks: these come in many different kinds of textures, from cream to peels. Generally, exfoliating masks will give you a much deeper clean than a normal cleanser. Like clay masks though, they can be very drying. A good natural exfoliating mask will contain fruit-derived enzymes, like those from pineapple that make your mouth tingly.
