Face masks are a great way to treat yourself to a pamper session. A reason to look after your skin and pause for 15 minutes to treat yourself.
Face masks come in lots of different forms, like foam, gel, a saturated sheet or cream. Depending on the type of mask, you may have to take it off in a specific way, some dry and need rubbing off, some a wet warm face cloth and others just need a dry cotton pad to take off the excess. Always check out the individual instructions of the product you’re using.
If you’ve not yet indulged in the 15 minutes of peace a mask can bring you, we encourage you to try them. Each mask has different properties and depending on what you’re after like brightening, hydration, reduction of pores or the like, there are so many on the market nowadays it’s not hard to find a great mask in your price range.
But the question remains: What face mask should I use? If you googled “face masks” in 2019 the results would be a lot different to what would turn up if you googled today. So, we thought we’d give you our verdict on the different type of masks available.
SHEET MASKS
Sheet masks are one of the quickest and easiest masks. Readily available from 99p to over a £100, these are single-use sheets which are saturated with a product which are pressed onto the skin.
With the sheet, the active ingredients are left to work their magic against your skin for deep penetration when the sheet is left for up to 15 minutes. Often, the absorbed product will instantly leave your skin feeling moisturised and nourished.
We’d suggest using this mask if your skin is in need of some extra TLC and because of the sheet element, is a good one to have on during a bath, while shaving or while reading.
CHEMICAL EXFOLIANTS
Remember when your socials were full of people with bright red facials, looking scarily similar to the Kim Kardashian Vampire Facial? Well, they’re not as scary as you think…
Chemical exfoliants use AHA and BHA chemicals to exfoliate your skin, leaving it brighter and smoother in only ten minutes. Using a chemical exfoliant works wonders in comparison to physical exfoliation, which can leave micro-tears in your skin leading to more breakouts and skin issues.
We’d suggest this type of face mask if you’re struggling with dull, scarred skin. However, if you’re prone to reactions due to sensitivity, you might want to give this one a miss due to some of the stronger chemicals in its ingredients list.
CLAY MASKS
Clay masks are great options if you’re looking for the same kind of satisfaction you feel when pulling off a pre-strip. When using one of these masks, you can watch all the nasty bits in your pores soak up with the clay – which is gross or strangely satisfying depending on who you ask. As Dr Pimple Popper fans, we LOVE seeing the gunk sitting in the clay mask after we’ve removed it.
With the clay mask, your skin is getting rid of its impurities in the pores, reducing excess oil in your face and delivering detoxifying ingredients straight to your pores.. If you struggle with any of these, then a clay mask will be your best friend.
LEAVE-ON MASK
Sometimes you just don’t have the time to wait around for your mask to dry – and that’s where leave-on masks come in.
These types of face mask are perfect for delivering nourishing ingredients to problem areas on your skin and making you feel pampered even on the go. Depending on which leave-on mask you go with, these can be the perfect way to improve your skin’s texture over time!
Tried any of these masks out for yourselves? Have we missed any of your favourite types of face mask on this list? Start a conversation in the comments below, or on our social pages.
