Do I Need To Wash My Face After A Sheet Mask?
The main point of a sheet mask is to help hydrate the skin. While we recommend taking the sheet mask off after 20 minutes of usage, this doesn’t mean you have to wash your skin, as the ingredients can carry on taking effect afterwards, as the serum sinks into the skin.
Just like if you were to add moisturiser to the skin, you wouldn’t wash it off straight afterwards. The ingredients have a long lasting effect and take time to completely sink into the skin and to take full effect. On the other hand, if it’s the evening, you could still apply a night cream.
This is a regularly spoken about topic and the main reason for this is because a traditional mask, using ingredients like mud, must be washed off completely after use. However, sheet masks are very much a different kettle of fish, meaning it is absolutely fine to leave on the skin, in order to reap all the benefits.
Just like sheet masks, you also don’t need to wash off eye masks, as these contain a large amount of serum, which will work like a moisturiser on the skin.
Regardless, we still recommend reading the individual pack to ensure you gain optimal results, as all products are different and have different ingredients included.
What About Before I Apply The Sheet Mask?
Before you apply the mask, you need to use an exfoliator, to clean any pollutants and excess oil from the top layer of the skin, as well as opening the pores. To understand the importance, you need to look at the three layers of the skin…
The Epidermis – This is the outer layer of skin that you need to clean through exfoliation. This is what creates our skin tone.
The Dermis – This is what the sheet mask will clear, as it contains hair follicles and sweat glands, as well as connective tissue.
The Hypodermis – Made up largely of fat and connective tissue, this is the deeper layer of subcutaneous tissue.
With this in mind, we need to ensure the sheet mask will work by clearing any oil and dirt from the epidermis and opening up the pores. The sheet mask simply can’t get through to take effect if you haven’t cleared off all the dead skin cells trapped on the surface level, therefore if you really want to see the benefits of applying a sheet mask, you need to take the preparation seriously.
So which exfoliation technique do I use?
There are an incredible amount of exfoliation techniques available to you, such as chemical exfoliation, which is largely utilising AHA’s or BHA’s. alpha hydroxy acids (AHA), sourced from fruits, nuts and sugars (e.g. citric acid, mandelic acid or glycolic acid). Beta Hydroxy Acid are great at penetrating the oils that collect on the skin, as well as clearing follicles of dead skin cells. An example of one is salicylic acid.
You can also try mechanical exfoliation, using some form of tool. If you do decide to use this, be cautious of which one you opt for, as you do not want one that is too abrasive and can cause skin irritation, such as crushed fruit pits.
You will now find that microbeads, which used to be commonly used, are now banned in the UK and most of Europe. This is because the incredible damage they do to the environment, as they filled the ocean. This is a huge positive and something people campaigned for over a significant period of time.
At the end of the day, whether you use a sharp grain or a deep pore machine, you should most definitely utilise this in your beauty regime.
What Next?
There is one final step before you apply the sheet mask. You need to heat your face to open up the pores. You can either do this by splashing on some warm water, or you could consider steaming.
To do a steam facial, the most common method involves boiling some water and then pour the boiled water into a bowl, drop your head over the bowl and wrap a towel over your head. This will create a sort of tent, so that the steam stays in and helps to perfectly open the pores. I would recommend keeping your eyes closed, as otherwise it can be quite uncomfortable. I’d also recommend breathing deeply.
Make sure to keep a gap between your face and the water and be careful of splashing.
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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.
