Face masks are not always included in a beauty routine. Most of us wash our face and apply the rest of our skincare products; face masks, however, tend to be something we use every once in a while as thought to be too time consuming.
It’s hard to recommend how often you should be using a face mask, given that so much depends on skin type. The consensus seems to be at least once a week and even then, it depends on the kind of mask you’re using. For Korean skincare adherents, it isn’t uncommon to use a sheet mask, that is a cotton face mask soaked with ingredients intended to hydrate and moisturise, on a daily basis.
There are so many kinds of face masks out on the market, from clay masks formulated to clear pores to sleeping packs which you leave on your skin overnight, to hydrate and give an extra plumping effect for the next morning.
A routine is as follows:
Cleanse
This step is necessary to remove any impurities and leave your skin perfectly clean, ready to get the benefits of the next steps. To target skin imperfections, or for oily or acneic skin, use a clarifying or Glycolic/ AHA based cleanser. If you’re experiencing some irritations, go for a soap-free and fragrance-free formula that won’t disturb your skin’s balance. For a good all purpose, mildly clarifying cleanser, try the Viderm Skin Cleanser. For Acne or oily skin, the Jan Marini Bioglycolic Cleanser or for sensitive skin (if not Viderm) then Mene and Moy's Gentle Cleanser.
Apply the cleanser that suits your needs after removing (most of) any makeup. Gently rub in circular motions before washing your face with water. Try to use cool over warm water to prevent your skin from drying out. Pat your skin with a towel.
Exfoliate
Exfoliating your skin is a key-step prior the at-home face mask. Exfoliating products remove the top layer of dry and dead skin cells, clear up your pores and leave you with smooth, fresh-looking skin, ready to absorb the good ingredients in your mask. Try the GloMinerals Glo Therapeutics Gentle Enzyme Exfoliant, or Algologie Deep Cleansing Exfoliating Cream.
Take a little amount of product in your palms and softly massage onto your face for couple of minutes, before rinsing carefully.
Apply face mask
Face masks help you target and effectively solve any skin issue you might have. It may be that one face mask isn’t enough to address all your concerns. For example, if your skin is oily on your T-zone, dull under your eyes and dry on your cheeks, try multi-masking which consists in using different masks simultaneously on different zones to suit all of your skin’s needs. Masks come in varying types for different skin types. Our selection both in terms of skin type (and cost!) are shown on this page...
The Toner
After rinsing your face mask, you want to make sure that there isn’t any residue left on your skin. Using a toner will not only leave your complexion clean but it will also help tighten your pores. You can find toners designed for any skin type, from dry to oily. Drop a bit of product on a cotton pad and gently massage across your face and neck. Don’t rinse.
Serum
Finally, boost the face mask ritual with a serum after your toner. Lightweight yet packed with skin specific ingredients, serums help to instantly regenerate, even out, firm or lighten up your skin. Drop a little bit of serum in your palms and apply onto your face, starting from the centre to the edges.
Moisturise
Finish up your facial routine with a final layer of moisturiser (day or night, depending!).