Face Masks 101

There’s nothing quite like a face mask to step up your skin care routine. The right mask is not just an indulgent treat. It can also tackle key skin concerns and conditions, from dryness and dehydration, to large pores and acne. Read on to learn how often to use a face mask and how to choose the right type for your unique complexion.

Just like a serum or moisturizer, a face mask is a skin care vehicle. It delivers highly concentrated active ingredients, vitamins and nutrients to the skin to improve its overall health. The difference? Face masks are occlusive; they create a physical barrier that locks in beneficial ingredients, allowing the skin to absorb more efficiently.

Face masks are designed to be used intermittently to give your skin an instant boost. Depending on what your skin needs, there is a mask that can do one (or a combination) of the following:

• Hydrates and moisturizes dry skin

• Refines large pores

• Improves skin texture

• Absorbs excess oil and dirt

• Decongests clogged pores

• Decongests clogged pores

• Minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

• Enhances elasticity

• Improves the look of breakouts

• Brightens dark spots

With so many options out there, how do you choose the right face mask for you? Here’s what you need to know about each type.

Exfoliating masks are formulated to remove dead skin cells and enhance your skin’s natural turnover process. This type of face mask may take the form of a chemical peel which employs alpha or beta hydroxy acids to dissolve dead skin cells and clear them from the skin’s surface. Or, it may use finely ground particles, to gently buff and polish your complexion.

A powerful formula that removes dull, dead surface skin cells and minimizes the look of pores. It’s formulated with alpha and beta hydroxy acids along with pineapple and papaya enzymes for a gentle exfoliation. Alpha and beta hydroxy acids work to reveal fresh looking skin. Pineapple and papaya enzymes exfoliate dead surface skin cells to enhance the look of soft smooth skin. Sustainable orange stem cells improve the appearance of skin radiance, elasticity, firmness and texture while minimizing the appearance of wrinkles by conditioning the skin. Brown algae extract moisturizes the skin’s outer layer helping to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Bamboo powder helps remove dead skin cells and deliver glowing skin, Kaolin and bentonite clay draw out dirt and impurities supporting a gentle cleanse will plant derived Mondo grass root extract helps the formula ensure your skin is replenished with moisture.

Think of the texture of a rich moisturizer — that’s the best way to describe the feel of a cream-based mask. These face masks do wonders for adding moisture and nutrients back into the skin, helping maintain a plump and young-looking appearance. An insider tip is that most cream-based masks can be used as a leave-on treatment.”

Works best with dry, dehydrated or aging skin. Is ideal for dry or dehydrated skin types. It is formulated with methyl lactate a less irritating alternative to menthol it provides a cooling effect to the skin much like an ice bath. Sustainably sourced shea butter that’s rich in vitamins delivers moisture to the skin while Phytinol - A complex of alfalfa and sugary extracts helps improve skin tone and smoothness resulting in skin that feels soft and smooth to the touch.

Replenishes the skins natural moisture barrier to restore and recharge dehydrated skin while you sleep. Super food cocktail of ingredients containing vitamin C and E, antioxidants, Omegas and Phytonutrients provide immediate and overnight hydration to soften the look of baby lines sealing in moisture to reveal radiance that looks like you’ve gotten a full nights rest.

A lightweight overnight facemask offers soothing hydration as it helps cool skin along with ingredients that work to calm, comfort and minimize skin redness while you sleep. Featuring prebiotics, marine algae and a blended botanical extracts, this facemask helps unclog impurities in pores so you can wake up smooth soft radiant looking skin.

The sheet mask traps the moisture or ingredient in the skin and creates a film that helps to either hydrate, moisturize, dry or exfoliate the skin depending on the ingredients used and its purpose. Therefore, face masks allow ingredients to absorb better into your skin in a short amount of time.

You should apply to a clean, freshly-cleansed face, and once the mask has been left on for 15-20 minutes and removed, you simply massage the rest of the serum into the skin. If you have the Genius Ultra you can use that to better absorb the remaining serum. There's no need to rinse, but for even more hydration you may want to finish with a night cream.

Remember: do not leave a sheet mask on overnight! Sheet masking should be kept between 15-25 minutes and should not exceed 30 minutes. Leaving sheet masks on until they dry will actually cause a reversal effect because the sheet will begin to reabsorb the moisture from the skin.

Designed to hydrate, smooth, replenish and enhance radiance. AlgaeFirming Complex- A blend of algae extract, vitamin C, and ginseng root dramatically improves the appearance of dull, tired looking or aging skin through hydration. Vitamin B three, also known as niacinamide and pro vitamin B five helps to support the skins moisture barrier with hydration. Cucumber fruit and Birchleaf extracts moisturize to condition and comfort skin.

With its absorbent, exfoliating and astringent properties, clay treats ongoing skin conditions related to acne such as excess oil and inflammation. Pro skin care tip: Did you know a clay mask can double as a spot treatment?

Red clay mask is both mattifying and moisturizing. The clay acts like a magnet oil pulling power to draw out pore clogging sebum dirt and debris. Rosemary oil dandelion and turmeric extract maintain skins moisture. Five self-neutralizing acids work to refine, clarify and brighten the appearance of skin tone.

Bamboo powder helps remove dead skin cells and deliver glowing skin, Kaolin and bentonite clay draw out dirt and impurities supporting a gentle cleanse will plant derived Mondo grass root extract helps the formula ensure your skin is replenished with moisture. PRO TIP: Rehydrate your skin after using a clay mask; example HydrateMe Crushed Jelly Serum.

Now that you’ve learned the basics, how often should you use a face mask? Add a face mask to your skin care routine once or twice a week. Masking should follow cleansing and toning. These steps clear impurities and excess oil, provide a base layer of hydration and prep your skin to better absorb the benefits of your face mask.

Most masks can be kept on for 5 to 20 minutes, but the duration can vary from mask to mask. Some face masks act quickly and can be removed after a short period of time; others can be left on as an overnight treatment to deeply hydrate your skin while you sleep. We always advise reviewing the label directions to apply your particular product so you know just the right time to remove it.

Sheet masks should only be kept between 15-25 minutes and should NEVER exceed 30 minutes. Leaving on for more than 25-30 minutes will reverse the benefits of the mask.

Remove gently with a damp cloth. Don’t undo the benefits of your face mask by aggressively scrubbing it off. Instead, be delicate with your complexion. Use lukewarm water to gently remove the mask from your face. If you choose to use a washcloth, ensure it’s clean and has soft fibers that won’t irritate your skin, example microfiber washcloths.

After removing the mask you are ready to tone and apply moisturizer.