Looking for an indulging product that quickly enhances your skin while allowing a relaxing “me time”? Face masks are the way to go! There are face masks for hydrating, revitalizing, and firming the skin… you name it. More than offering different results, they come in different presentations and textures. Let’s look at them closely! Each type of face mask come with its unique features, application and texture. Let’s find about the different types of face mask and hopefully which one is the perfect fit for your preferences and needs.
Find the right type of face mask for you
When choosing the result of your mask, you should look for what your skin needs. Yet, when choosing the type of face mask you’re going to indulge yourself in… all it matters is what you like! Imagine your skin is in need of deeply hydrating care. You may find incredible solutions in creamy formulas, but also in sheet masks. The same goes for peeling or oil control mask—you may find the best mask formulas with clay or with exfoliant particles. The key is to understand what your skin needs as well as what you like when it comes to texture. Then, all you have to do is to sit back and enjoy your selfcare.
Cream face masks
Maybe the most famous of the group, cream face masks are those that look like face cream in texture. They may look the same on the outside, but they work their way to improved skin with a higher concentration of active ingredients when compared to moisturizers. Some formulas apply as a leave-in: you’ll only need to apply them in a generous layer, and you’re done! Differently, the rinse-off formulas are meant to be removed after a short period of time (usually around 15 to 30 minutes). You should always follow the brand directions to get the most out of your treatment!
Among this type of face mask, you’ll find mostly hydrating and nourishing formulas as well as brightening, firming and wrinkle-plumping. Also, you may find some cream exfoliating masks with exfoliating acids, like the Caudalie Vinoperfect Glycolic Peel Mask, that manage to eliminate dead skin cells without the need of a mechanical massage.
Sheet mask
The most instagramable mask type is the sheet mask! A veil that fits your face like a tailor-made suit, they’re usually made of microfiber, cotton or hydrogel and are impregnated with a generous amount of a serum-like product. Sheet masks lock the product in with a physical barrier, allowing an intense moment of skin replenishment. Moreover, it feels great on the skin! As the sheet mask touches your skin, with such a fresh and revitalizing feeling, you get immediately energized by such a sensation. When it comes to the directions of use, it’s usually pretty straightforward: you’ll only need to place it on the skin, using the holes for the eyes and nose as a reference, and then allow it to do its magic from 15 to 30 minutes.
Within this type of face mask, there’s formulas for all possible skin issues and needs! From soothing and deeply hydrating masks to firming and wrinkle-plumping formulas, there’s something for everyone. You’ll even find some funny takes on sheet masks, like the cat design of the Mad Beauty Warner Brothers Looney Tunes Sylvester Sheet Face Mask or be a villain for a moment with the YOUTH LAB Blemish Dots Invisible Blemish Treatment Patches to reduce inflammation and to make sure you keep your hands off the pimples.
The eye area also deserves special treatment, and there’s a world of eye patches. We let you know more in detail about eye patches on a post entirely dedicated to it. If we’d try to sum it up, we’d say that you’ll find formulas with the goal of minimizing signs of fatigue like dark circles and under-eye bags, as well as anti-aging and hydrating formulas.
We wouldn’t be covering it all if we didn’t breeze through the lip masks. To care for this fragile skin, that seems to be always in need of extra care, these formulas are the gold standard! You should give a try to the G9 Skin Self Aesthetic Rose Hydrogel Lip Patch to make sure your lips get all the attention they need.
Clay face mask
Even though not all clay masks feel the same, they’re known to dry on the skin and leave that crackling desert sand look. This type of face mask is usually targeted for those with combination to oily skin types, considering that most clays help in regulating sebum production and refining skin texture. Clay face masks may not be as popular as they used to be, but they are surely even better than before when it comes to application experience and results. This type of face mask work wonders in leaving that purified skin feeling!
Clay masks deserve a special chapter of their own considering that they behave differently when applied. Even though they behave similarly, they don’t always look the same before application. Take the Dr. Hauschka Clarifying Clay Mask as an example: this mask comes in a powder texture, and you should combine it with water before using it. As it should happen to every other skincare product you use, it’s important to read the application directions suggested by the brand.
Scrub masks
This type of face mask is commonly multitasking, with a base of creamy product containing exfoliating particles for mechanical action. These small beads, when massaged on the skin, make sure to remove all the dead skin cells that are just laying there even though it’s their time to leave! It feels incredibly satisfying to massage these formulas on the skin, as you can feel—with your hands—that you’re really cleansing the skin. But don’t get too excited! You should always work the product extremely gently to make sure you don’t damage your skin. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to skip this step entirely. Instead, go for gentler exfoliating methods, like using a chemical toner (Pestle & Mortar NMF Lactic Acid Toner is always a good idea!).
The best part is that most of these formulas offer a scrubbing action combined with a hydrating or replenishing action. Some of them you should keep on the skin for a period of time, after massaging the grains, to make sure your skin has the time to benefit from the replenishing ingredients. That’s exactly the case of Gallinée Prebiotic Face Mask & Scrub. Who doesn’t like a multitasker?
If you’re looking especially for a hydrating mask to plump your skin with hydration, then take a look to our suggestions. We promise your skin will love it!
