10 Tips for Using a Face Mask
There’s nothing like relaxing with a face mask, especially on a miserable night, and no amount of convincing will get you out of it! Here, we share top tips for using face masks to get the best from your products and learn about
the benefits for your skin!
1. Cleanse the skin: I want to ask you something: do you wear clothes in the shower? Kinda silly to suggest that, right? Well, applying a face mask while putting on makeup is basically the same thing.
To really see the difference in your skin, remove all makeup, including eye makeup like mascara. This allows your skin to absorb the serum in the mask, which is rich in antioxidants and nourishes the skin.
This isn’t the case if you’re still wearing makeup, as masks can lock products like foundation into the skin, which can clog pores and lead to breakouts and breakouts.
2. Use before makeup: If you have time, apply a sheet mask in the morning before makeup. It’s a great way to give your skin hydration and a healthy glow, and it looks amazing with foundation!
Our skin gets a little stressed and bruised from cold weather, which can lead to all sorts of problems, from dry patches to blemishes! The sheet mask will help hydrate the skin, thereby eliminating dry areas, softening and
reducing redness around blemishes, so your foundation application is flawless and lasts all day long!
3. Massage: This little trick will add some luxury to your mask. Once you’ve applied the mask to your face and ensured your skin is smooth, you’re ready for a mini facial. Gently press into the skin and work in circular motions
around the face.
You can also do the upward movement because it has powerful anti-aging effects and counteracts gravity that causes the skin to sag. Stress and exercise also stimulate blood circulation for a plumper, more radiant face!
4. Hop in the shower: After applying the mask, you can also go to the shower. The heat and steam of the water act like a sauna, opening the pores and allowing vitamins, hyaluronic acid and all other beneficial ingredients to be
absorbed deep into the skin quickly.
In a way, it can recharge your mask and get the most out of it. Just be careful not to get the mask too wet!
5. Cut out the mask: Masks can sometimes be too large. So, cut off the excess so that the mask fits perfectly on the face. Don’t waste excess mask, use it on other areas like neck and décolleté. Even dry areas like knees and
elbows benefit from extra moisture!
6. Use an exfoliator: It’s a brilliant idea to use a scrub before applying a mask. Not only does it really deep clean, but it also removes any residual dead skin cells that have built up on the skin, making it look dull and dry.
What makes sheet masks different from other masks is that they don’t exfoliate, so you don’t have to worry about over-invading your skin. Because the skin is fresh and clean, the mask essence absorbs faster too!
7. Use on an airplane: Whether long or short, flying is exhausting! Drinking water is very important when flying in the air. However, water cannot hydrate all your organs and skin! Carry your favorite mask in your purse.
Yes, you’ll look a little weird wearing a mask on a flight, but your skin will totally thank you for the help, and I’m pretty sure the crew has seen worse!
8. Turn the mask over: This trick ensures that the vitamin-rich serum doesn’t go to waste. First, find out how long you need to wear a mask. Then halfway through, take off the mask and turn it over.
That means you’ll get a fresh batch of serum on your skin, and no wasted product! Don’t forget to smooth out wrinkles and overlaps of the mask.
9. Don’t wash your face: After taking off the mask, even if you really want to wash your face, don’t wash your face. This causes all the powerful antioxidant vitamins and beneficial acids to end up down the drain, no good for
the skin!
If you find that your face is still a bit wet after the mask, simply pat the remaining serum in until it’s fully absorbed into the skin.
10. Collect favorites: There are so many types of facial masks on the market, it is dizzying! There are brightening, soothing and pigmented masks to help with all that.
The beauty of sheet masks is that they’re so affordable, you can try as many as you like without breaking the bank. Once you’ve found a few you like and found a job that works for you, you can stock up on your supplies and use
them when you need them!
Face masks have many benefits, and we hope these tips help you get the most out of them. It’s all about experimenting and finding what works for you and gives you the best skin possible. Once you get the hang of it, you can
easily incorporate the mask 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.