Facial masks: what you should and shouldn’t do
Facial masks have become a go-to product for home care. They are easy to use and produce amazing results. But are you sure you’re using your favorite facial mask correctly? Here you can learn more about what to look out for when using facial masks.
Find the right facial mask
Focus on what you want to achieve with your facial mask. It’s designed to help your skin look its best. Does your skin feel dry right now? Opt for a nourishing and hydrating facial mask. Do you have skin imperfections? Opt for a facial mask with soothing, anti-inflammatory ingredients. Always listen to how your skin feels and looks to get amazing results.
Don’t ignore your skin type and how it’s feeling right now. Typically, you have oilier skin, but it can still be dehydrated. Finding the right facial mask for you at this point will work to your advantage in the long run.
Before you apply a facial mask
Don’t use a facial mask if you’re wearing makeup. Using a facial mask while you’re wearing sunscreen, makeup, and moisturizer can clog your pores, leading to possible breakouts and inflammation.
Cleanse your face thoroughly before applying a facial mask. You can use your usual cleansing and toning routine. As an extra step, you can also apply serum before applying the mask so that the skin absorbs all the ingredients faster.
Applying the mask
Smooth the mask to any face shape to ensure that the mask fits securely. You can even pull up the outside of the mask to create a long-term lifting effect on the face. If you are a man with a beard, you can always trim the mask so that it covers your beard neatly. Just place the remaining cloth around your neck.
Don’t forget to remove the usual plastic wrap on the mask so that you can easily remove it. Leaving the plastic wrap on the mask can irritate the skin and prevent the skin from properly absorbing the serum and ingredients.
Residue
Don’t discard the mask packaging before checking for any residue.
Apply the residue from the packaging to your neck, shoulders and back of your hands.
Time
Keep the mask on for the right amount of time. It is not recommended to sleep with a sheet mask on because when the sheet mask dries, it absorbs moisture from the skin back into the sheet mask. A good way to make the most of the product is to turn the mask to the other side midway.
Don’t forget to check how long you’ve left the mask on, as it varies from mask to mask. Most of the time it’ll take 15 to 30 minutes. You can remove the mask while it’s still wet. Don’t be tempted to reuse the mask as it could transfer bacteria to your skin.
Removing the Mask Sheet
Don’t wash your face after using the mask as this will wash off all the wonderful ingredients you just applied!
Apply any remaining serum to your face, neck and décolleté, and apply the mask to dry areas of your body like your knees or elbows before discarding.
What to do afterwards?
After removing the mask, continue with your skincare routine, such as eye cream and night cream.
Don’t end your skincare routine with a mask. You may feel like your skin is already getting enough pampering, but a moisturizer will help preserve all the benefits of the mask’s ingredients.
How often do I use a mask?
Use a sheet mask 1-3 times a week. You don’t always have to use the same type. Listen to your skin and use the mask that best addresses your problem.
You don’t have to feel like you have to use a mask religiously every week. Keep your favorite mask for evening pampering or an extra boost to your skincare routine.
Use a mask in the morning.
You shouldn’t think of masks as an evening product. You can use a mask in the morning, too. Why not choose a mask enriched with vitamin C to really rejuvenate your face? Don’t forget to apply sunscreen after you’ve finished your daily routine.
Leave enough time in the morning to give your mask enough time to work. Trying to use a mask when you’re running late or busy is a waste of time.
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.
