10 Tips for Using a Face Mask
There’s nothing better than relaxing with a face mask, especially on a cloudy night, and no amount of persuasion can stop you!
Here we share our top tips for using a face mask so you can get the best out of the product and see the benefits to your skin!
1. Cleanse your skin
Let me ask you a question: would you shower with your clothes on? It’s a bit silly to suggest something like that, right? Well, applying a face mask is basically the same as putting on makeup. To really see a difference in your skin, remove all your makeup, including eye makeup like mascara. This allows your skin to absorb the serum in the mask that’s rich in antioxidants and nourishes the skin. This won’t be the case if you’re still wearing makeup, as the mask will trap products like foundation in the skin, which can clog pores and cause breakouts and blemishes.
2. Use before makeup
If you have time, apply a face mask in the morning before makeup. It’s a great way to hydrate your skin and give it a healthy glow, and it looks amazing when paired with foundation! In cold weather, our skin can get a bit stressed and irritated, leading to all sorts of problems, from dry patches to acne! Sheet masks help hydrate your skin, eliminate dry patches, soothe and reduce redness on blemishes, and make your foundation apply perfectly and last all day long!
3. Massage
This little trick will add a little bit of luxury to your mask. Once you’ve applied the mask all over your face and made sure your skin is smooth, you can give yourself a mini facial. Apply gentle pressure to your skin and massage in circular motions all over your face. You can also do upward strokes as this is very anti-aging and counteracts the force of gravity that causes your skin to sag. The pressure and movement also stimulates blood circulation, making your face appear plumper, fuller, and glowing with an amazing glow!
4. Jump in the Shower
After applying your mask, you can also jump in the shower. The heat and steam from the water acts like a sauna, opening up your pores and ensuring that the vitamins, hyaluronic acid, and all the other beneficial ingredients penetrate quickly and deeply into your skin. In a way, this will enhance your mask and make the most of it. Just be careful not to get it too wet!
5. Cut your mask to size
Facial masks can sometimes be a little too big. So, cut off the excess material so that the mask fits your face perfectly. Don’t waste the extra mask, use it on other areas like your neck and shoulders. Even dry areas like your knees and elbows can benefit from the extra moisture!
6. Use a scrub
It’s a good idea to use an exfoliator before using a mask. Not only do they cleanse your skin thoroughly, but they also remove all the dead skin cells that build up on your skin, which can make it look dull and dry. Sheet masks are different from other masks because they don’t exfoliate, so you don’t have to worry about your skin being irritated as much. Since your skin is fresh and clean, it will also absorb the essence in the mask faster!
7. Use them on the plane
Whether it’s a long or short haul, flying can be hard on your skin! Remember to drink water during your flight, but water can’t moisturize all organs and skin! Put your favorite mask in your carry-on luggage. Yes, wearing a mask during a flight will make you look a little weird, but your skin will thank you for the help, and I’m pretty sure the crew has seen worse!
8. Turn your mask over
This trick ensures that your vitamin-rich serum doesn’t go to waste. First think about how long you need to leave the mask on, then halfway through, take it off and flip it over. How to apply a new amount of serum to your skin without wasting any product! Don’t forget to smooth out any wrinkles and overlaps of the mask.
9. Don’t wash your face
Don’t wash your face after taking the mask off, even if you want to. This means that all the potent antioxidants, vitamins, and beneficial acids are wasted and do nothing for your skin! If your face still feels a little damp after applying the mask, simply pat the remaining serum on until it’s fully absorbed into your skin.
10. Collect a collection
The variety of sheet masks on the market is incredible! There are masks that will give your skin a glow, soothe your skin, lighten pigmentation, and solve all of your problems. The great thing about sheet masks is that they are very affordable, giving you the opportunity to try as many as you want without breaking your budget. Once you find a few that you like and work for you, you can stockpile them and use them when you need them!
There are many different benefits of sheet masks, and we hope these tips can help you make the most of them. It’s all about experimenting and finding what works for you and gives you the best skin possible. Once you’ve done that, you’ll be able to easily incorporate sheet masks into your skincare routine!
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
