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Do you need to exfoliate before using a mask?
Skin Care

Do you need to exfoliate before using a mask?

27 August 2024


Do you need to exfoliate before using a mask?

If you’ve ever had a facial, you know how much time and effort goes into achieving that spa-like glow and baby-soft skin. With a professional facial, you can expect 3 to 4 or even more steps to skin perfection, each designed to treat a different layer of the skin. With this in mind, one wonders why when it comes to using a mask at home, we sometimes just apply it without taking the time to perform these extra steps.


In this case, exfoliating before applying a mask really can up the luxury factor and give your skin the extra care that comes with a professional treatment. So today we’re going to give you some examples of why you should exfoliate when using a mask.

Should you exfoliate before or after applying a mask?


To ensure that your skin is best taken care of by using a mask and the rest of your daily routine, there are some basic skin care rules you should follow. What we mean by this is that you should always make sure your skin is completely free of makeup, any bacteria, or residue before applying a mask. This prevents impurities from being blocked by the clay, mud, or cream mask on your skin. This often leads to clogged pores and skin breaking out with pimples and blackheads.

When it comes to the extra step of exfoliation, it is considered best to do it after cleansing the skin and before applying a mask. This helps keep the face clean and removes any residual traces and debris of the product, while removing dead skin cells with exfoliating particles. You will then find that the active ingredients in your chosen mask have a faster and more impressive effect on your complexion, leaving it radiant, detoxified and healthy. If you want to learn more about masks and how different formulas can benefit your skin, you can read a previous blog on how often you should use a mask in your skincare routine.


After removing the mask, you should use a toner. However, make sure that the formula does not contain AHA or BHA as this can be too much for the skin and cause dryness and rashes.

Can I apply a mask after a peel?


This should be absolutely fine as long as you make sure that the mask formula does not contain any chemical peels or other strong ingredients that may be too harsh on the skin. It is best to avoid peeling masks as they can make the skin feel tight and strip away important moisture and sebum. When this imbalance occurs, the skin typically overcompensates and starts producing too much sebum to restore the skin’s natural protective barrier, leading to a range of inflammation, rashes, redness, and flaky, dry patches of skin.

Can you mask and peel on the same day?


You actually can! As mentioned above, you should only exfoliate your skin before a mask if none of the following steps in your skincare routine contain AHAs, BHAs, or other chemical exfoliants.

Daily Exfoliation Skin Care


Remove Makeup

Cleanse skin with a non-foaming cleanser


Exfoliate with a physical exfoliant or cotton pad soaked with a chemical exfoliant

Use a mask made with clay, mud, or cream


Rinse with a floral toner and remove any residue without exfoliating

Apply a hydrating serum


Eye cream

Moisturizer


Daily SPF (mornings only)

Non-stripping skincare routine


Remove Makeup

Cleanse skin with a non-foaming cleanser


Apply a mask of your choice, including an exfoliating formula

Gently rub skin with a cotton pad soaked with an AHA toner


Apply a generous serum containing hyaluronic acid or niacinamide

Eye cream

Moisturizer

Daily SPF (mornings only)

To get a better idea of ​​which routine works best for you and your skin type, you can try both and notice how your skin feels and looks afterward. Once you find the right routine, you’ll find your skin looks better than before, clogged pores are cleared, the texture feels and looks smoother, and any breakouts or rashes are significantly reduced.

What Should You Do After Wearing a Mask?

After using a mask, you should continue with the rest of your skincare routine. Of course, remember to add active ingredients that nourish, protect, and rejuvenate your skin to keep it at its healthiest.

You’ll find the ingredients below should be right for your skin type. If you find that your skin type is fairly dry or sensitive, it’s best to consult your doctor or dermatologist for comfort. As always, we strongly recommend that you do a 24-hour patch test on any new product or ingredient you add to your routine for the first time. How to Avoid Rash or Irritation Due to Ingredients That Are Too Strong and Irritating to the Skin.

Hyaluronic Acid

Niacinamide

Vitamin C (also known as Ascorbic Acid and L-Ascorbic Acid)

These active ingredients provide maximum moisture and care for the face. They provide balance and soothe the outer layer of the skin, which is often damaged by free radicals from pollution, UV rays, and other environmental stressors. We have linked to the dedicated blog post so that you can read more about all the skin benefits of the mentioned ingredients.

Hopefully, today we have answered some of your questions about using a facial mask for exfoliation. It would be a shame not to take the extra time to do a spa-like facial at home! If you try one of the many Procoal masks yourself, don’t forget to tag us in your mask selfie on Instagram!

Don’t miss out on skincare tips and expert advice on our YouTube channel! Click the Subscribe button to visit our green couch. 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.
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