Do I Really Need To Use A Face Mask?
Using a face mask should be a staple part of your beauty regime, regardless of your age, gender or focus. It can help improve your facial skin for multiple purposes and is one of the most undervalued parts of a skincare regime, delivering ‘actives’ to the skin, both for quality and appearance. So, quite simply, yes you should be using a face mask, however we have highlighted some benefits below to reaffirm the reasons why.
What Are The Benefits?
Face masks can unclog your pores and clean out any trapped dirt, while it will also remove any excess oils that will naturally occur on the face.
It’s not just oils and dirt, your face will naturally collect dead skin which will also be trapped in pores, however a good face mask will absorb all of these.
Even more important if you suffer from dry skin, a good face mask should moisturise the skin and add hydration, offering a softer feel and enhance elasticity.
The relaxation factor should not be undermined, as you stick on some soft music and chill out for 15 minutes as the face mask hardens. The therapeutic process along with the nice scents of the formula could always be combined with a hot bath and some candles.
If a quick result is your aim then a face mask could be the answer. While we recommend using them on a constant basis rather than just before an event, the simple fact is they are great at quickly clearing your pores and removing any impurities, offering a fast-acting improved complexion.
Nobody wants to look older, while the regular use of face masks has been shown to help significantly with preventing the signs of aging, such as diminishing wrinkles and fine lines, not to mention brown spots.
It’s not just the removal of bacteria on the skin, another effect of applying can be a seemingly glowing skin. The reason for this is many of them can help to stimulate blood circulation, which will create a natural glow.
Whatever your beauty regime, it will be substantially improved by the addition of face masks, as it will clear the pores (and all the other benefits highlighted above), meaning whatever you are applying should have a greater effect. A large reason for this is because it will allow these other products to be more easily absorbed into the skin, as their will be nothing blocking its avenue.
So Why Activated Charcoal?
Many face masks highlight a whole number of bizarre ingredients, from kiwis to papayas, which might sound fun, but aren’t likely to be absorbed into the skin and probably don’t do much other than get put onto your skin and then are washed straight off. Your skin will absorb the mask active ingredients, not the odd fruity smoothie ingredients.
However, with activated charcoal you have an active ingredient which will directly extract toxins from the skin and clean out the pores, which should be a large portion of what you are trying to achieve with a face mask. Whether it’s to clear up acne or absorb excess oils, an activated charcoal face mask is perfect for this.
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.
