5 Ideas On What To Do With Excess Serum From Sheet Masks
13 July 2024
5 Ideas On What To Do With Excess Serum From Sheet Masks
You’ve just finished a sheet mask, skin is looking glowing and full of health… But what do you do with all that leftover product in the bottom of the packet? You are right in thinking it is a huge waste to chuck that beautifully enriched serum, so here are 5 ideas on what to do with the excess serum from your sheet masks.
1. Neck and décolletage
Whilst you are wearing your sheet mask take the excess at the bottom of the packet and apply it all over your neck and décolletage. The ingredients will work wonders for these areas as they are forgotten about a lot of the time. Once the mask is removed, don’t wash your face instead pat the left-over serum into your face. This will give your skin a lovely dose of hydration and you will really see the difference from popping it onto your neck and décolletage.
2. Dry skin areas
The excess serum will work fantastically for dry areas such as your knees, elbows and ankles. These areas experience a lot of neglect and are usually very dry with a ‘dusty’ appearance at times. Allowing them to soak in the serum will not only add moisture but brighten the skin. It’s a good idea to apply the serum in the evening followed by body moisturiser and long sleeved and bottomed pjs. This lock in the moisture and stop the product rubbing off whilst you sleep.
3. Hands and cuticles
Your cuticles will feel as though it’s Christmas come early if you pop the serum from your sheet mask onto them and your hands. You can even use the sheet mask after you have finished with it. Cut strips of the mask big enough to cover the nail and cuticle, dab the serum on to your nails then wrap the sheet strip around to lock in the product and hydrate the nails making your cuticles soft and moisturised. Hang nails and split cuticles will be a thing of the past come the morning.
4. Homemade mask
You can make your own homemade sheet mask from the remaining serum! Find some cotton pads and pop them into the packet with the remaining serum in. Next up seal up the packet and pop it into the fridge to keep it fresh, it’ll last roughly two days so use it as soon as you can. When you go to the fridge to take your DIY mask out you will find the cotton pads are now soaked in the product and you can now layer it all onto your face, try peeling apart the cotton pads to make them thinner and able to cover the entire face. Avoid the eye are, nose and mouth.
5. Save it
If after all this you still don’t want to the use the excess then you can seal the used packet, pop it into the fridge and you will be able to go back to it in a couple of days. You don’t necessarily need to use a sheet mask, after your usual skincare routine, pat the serum onto the skin until absorbed and you are good to go. This is great to do before applying foundation.
There you have 5 ideas of what to do with all that excess serum from your sheet masks! These are a great way of getting your money’s worth from the mask and won’t result in any waste, after all, the excess serum is powerful stuff and would be criminal to throw away!
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DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
