Should I Exfoliate Before I Use My Face Mask?
If you have ever had a facial, you will know the amount of time and effort there is involved to give you those spa-like results of glowing, baby soft skin. With a professional facial you can expect to have 3 to 4, maybe more steps taken into perfecting the skin, each designed to treat the various layers of the skin. With this in mind it makes you wonder why, when using a at home face mask we sometimes apply it without taking the time to include these extra steps.
This is when exfoliation before applying a face mask can really up the luxe factor and give your skin the extra TLC you experience during a professional treatment. So today we are going to example why you should exfoliate when using a face mask.
Should I exfoliate before or after a face mask?
To ensure your skin gets the best form of care from using face masks and other steps in your routine, you should follow some basic rules in skin maintenance. By this we mean to always ensure your skin is completely clear of makeup and cleansed of any bacteria or debris before applying a face mask. By doing this you are preventing any impurities from becoming blocked on the skin by a layer of clay, mud or cream mask. This can usually result in the pores becoming clogged and cause the skin to breakout with spots and blackheads.
When it comes to the added step of exfoliating the skin, it is thought best to do this after cleansing the skin and before applying your face mask. This helps to keep the face clean and removes any remaining traces and build-up of product whilst dead skin cells are sloughed away with the exfoliating particles. You will then find the active ingredients in your chosen face mask can deliver faster and more impressive results to the complexion, leaving it glowing, detoxified and healthy. If you are wanting to find out more about face masks and how the different formulas can benefit the skin, you can check out the previous blog about how often you should use a face mask in your skincare routine.
You should then follow the removal of your face mask with a toner, however, ensure it does not have any AHAs or BHAs in the formula as this can be too much for the skin and cause dryness and breakouts.
Is it ok to use face mask after exfoliating?
This should be absolutely fine as long as you ensure the formula of the face mask does not contain any chemical exfoliates, or other potent ingredients that could cause too much stress for the skin. It is also best to avoid any peel off masks as this could lead to the skin feeling tight and stripped of vital water and sebum levels in the skin. When an imbalance such as this is created the skin usually overcompensates and begins to over-produce sebum to help restore the skin’s natural protective barrier, all of which results in a number of inflammations, from breakouts, redness and flaky dry areas of the skin.
Can you exfoliate and do a mask on the same day?
You can indeed! As previously mentioned, you should only exfoliate the skin before a face mask, if there are no AHAs, BHAs or other chemical exfoliating ingredients included in any of the following steps in your skincare routine.
Skincare routine when exfoliating
Remove makeup
Cleanse the skin with non-foaming cleanser
Exfoliate with physical scrub or cotton pad soaked in chemical exfoliant
Apply clay, mud or cream face mask
Rinse and remove any residue with floral toner containing no exfoliants
Applying hydrating serum
Eye cream
Moisturiser
Daily SPF (AM routine only)
Skincare routine without exfoliating
Remove makeup
Cleanse the skin with non-foaming cleanser
Apply face mask of choice, including peel away formulas
Lightly wipe the skin with AHA toner-soaked cotton pad
Apply liberal amounts of serum containing hyaluronic acid or niacinamide
Eye cream
Moisturiser
Daily SPF (AM routine only)
To get a better understanding of which routine would best suit you and your skin type, you can give both a try, making note of how your skin feels and looks afterwards. Once you have found the right routine you will find your skin will look better than ever with congested pores cleared, texture feeling and looking smoother and any flare-ups or breakouts notably reduced.
What should I do after wearing a mask?
After using a face mask you should continue with the other steps in your skincare routine. Remembering, of course to include active ingredients that will nourish, protect and rejuvenate the skin by keeping it at its healthiest state.
You will find that the following ingredients should work for your skin type, if you find you have a more dry or sensitive skin type, then it is best to consult your doctor or dermatologist for peace of mind. As always, we strongly suggest you perform a patch test for 24 hours with any new products or ingredients you are adding to your routine for the first time. This will avoid you suffering any skin flare-ups or irritation caused by ingredients that are too potent and harsh for your skin.
Hyaluronic acid
Niacinamide
Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic and L-ascorbic acid)
These active ingredients are the most hydrating and nourishing to the face, creating balance and restoring calm back to the outer layer of the skin that can frequently become damaged from exposure to free radicals, such as pollution, UV rays and other environmental stresses. We have linked our dedicated blog posts for you to find out more about all the skin benefits when using the mentioned ingredients.
We hope that today we have answered some of your questions about exfoliating the skin when using a face mask, it feels a shame to not take the extra time to perform an at home spa-like facial after all! If you find yourself giving this a try for yourselves using one of the many Procoal face masks available, then don’t forget to tag us in your face mask selfies on Instagram!
Don’t miss out on more skincare tips and expert advice over on our YouTube channel! Come and find us on The Green Sofa by hitting the subscribe button, you won’t regret it!
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.
