Do you need to exfoliate before using a mask?
If you’ve ever had a facial, you know that getting glowing, baby-soft skin at the spa takes time and effort. With a professional facial, you can expect 3 to 4 or even more steps to skin perfection, each of which
is designed to treat a different layer of the skin.
With this in mind, one wonders why we sometimes use masks without taking the time to take these extra steps when we’re wearing them at home. Exfoliate before a mask to give your skin that luxurious glow
Give her the extra care that comes with a professional treatment.
So today we’ll give you an example of why you should exfoliate when using a mask.
Should you exfoliate before or after a mask?
To ensure that your skin is best taken care of by using masks and other steps in your daily life, it’s important to follow some basic skin care rules.
What we mean by this is that before applying a mask, you must always make sure that your skin is completely free of any makeup as well as any bacteria or dirt. This way you can use a mask made of clay, mud, or cream to prevent impurities from sticking to your skin. This often leads to clogged pores and the appearance of pimples and blackheads on the skin.
As for the extra step of exfoliation, it is best to do it after cleansing your skin and before applying a mask. This helps keep your face clean and removes any leftover product residue and debris, while the exfoliating particles remove dead skin cells.
You will then find that the active ingredients in your chosen mask improve your complexion faster and more significantly, leaving it radiant, detoxified and healthy. If you want to learn more about masks and the benefits of different formulas for your skin, you can read my previous blog on how often you should use a mask in your skin care routine.
After removing your mask, you should apply a facial toner. However, make sure the formula does not contain AHAs or BHAs, as this can be too much for the skin and cause dryness and breakouts.
Can you apply a mask after exfoliating?
It is completely fine as long as you make sure 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 stretch the skin and strip away important moisture and sebum.
When this imbalance occurs, the skin typically overcompensates and begins to produce excess sebum to restore the skin’s natural protective barrier. This all leads to a cascade of inflammation that causes rashes, redness, and dry, flaky areas of skin.
Can you exfoliate and mask on the same day?
You really can! As mentioned above, you should only exfoliate your skin before masking if your subsequent skincare steps do not include AHAs, BHAs, or other chemical exfoliants.
Daily exfoliation skin care. Makeup remover. Cleanse skin with a non-foaming cleanser. Exfoliate with a physical exfoliant or cotton pads soaked with a chemical exfoliant. Apply a clay, mud, or cream mask. Rinse skin and remove residue with a non-exfoliating floral tonic.
Cleanse skin with a non-foaming cleanser. Apply a mask of your choice, including a peel-off mask. Gently buff skin with a cotton pad soaked with an AHA toner. Apply a generous amount of a serum containing hyaluronic acid or niacinamide. Eye cream. Moisturizer. Daily SPF (mornings only)
To get a better idea of which procedure is best for you and your skin type, you can try both and see how your skin looks and feels. Once you find the right routine, you’ll notice that your skin looks better than ever: clogged pores are cleared, the texture feels and looks smoother, and blemishes or breakouts are visibly reduced.
What should you do after wearing a mask? After using a mask, you should continue with the rest of your skin care routine. Of course, remember to add active ingredients that nourish, protect, and rejuvenate your skin to keep it as healthy as possible.
You’ll find that the following ingredients should work for your skin type. If you find that you have a drier or more sensitive skin type, it’s best to consult your doctor or dermatologist just to be safe.
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 Rashes or Irritations Caused by Ingredients
Too strong and can irritate your skin.
Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid and L-ascorbic acid) is a great choice for those who are looking to get the right amount of skin care. These active ingredients are most effective at hydrating and nourishing the face, bringing balance and calm to the outer layer of the skin that is often damaged by free radicals such as pollution, UV rays, and other environmental factors. We have linked a dedicated blog post so that you can learn more about all the benefits of using the above ingredients for your skin. We hope to answer some of your questions about exfoliating masks today. It would be a shame not to take the time to give yourself a spa-like facial at home! If you try one of the many Procoal masks you buy for yourself, don’t forget to tag us in your mask selfies on Instagram!
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.
