Exfoliation and Face Masks: The Key to Clear, Smooth Skin

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 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.

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