How To Cut A Sheet Mask If You Have A Beard
You see all the videos of people putting on these incredibly hydrating, anti-ageing sheet masks which pack a powerful punch of all the ingredients your skin needs, and you feel motivated. You want to try it yourself. You unwrap the pack and then it suddenly dawns on you, how the hell do I wear this? It’s setup to go perfectly on the face, but my face has facial hair.
Well trust us when we say you’re not the only one that has faced this conundrum and felt a little lost at sea. Fortunately, we’re here to offer some guidance, as a bearded bloke myself (currently a bit shorter than normal, as can be seen from the pictures).
Scissor Time
You can wear the sheet mask even with a beard, but you will have to be a little creative and get the scissors into action. As you can see from the image below, the sheet mask covers the whole face, but you have indentations in several spots. Depending on where your facial hair is, you can utilise these slits to further cut them in order to have the area free.
With scissors in hand (remember to be careful and no running in the hallway with scissors) you will want to cut along the marks. I found the best results with my beard by cutting from the side cut (to the left and right of the nose) down to the mouth, which removed the entire bottom section.
These are very easy to cut, considering how wet they are, so even the most blunt scissors should blast through. Providing you have magical cutting skills such as myself, you should end up with something looking like the image below. If not, oh dear.
If you have a moustache, you may want to make a further cut from the nose section downwards. I decided not to do this as mine wasn’t long enough, however in retrospect it might actually have been useful to have done so.
The end result should look something like the below, minus the cheesy grin.
Of course, if you have short stubble, you can wear the sheet mask over the entire face, however this is based on personal experience and in general we have to state that it won’t stick as well to the face over facial hair.
With the excess parts you cut off, you can use it elsewhere on your skin, such as on your neck (obviously the part that doesn’t have hair). I personally left it on my hands, so they can have a nice hydrating session.
Of course, as always, if you have any questions about how to get the best results, don’t hesitate to ask us. We have also written a complete FAQ on sheet masks which I strongly recommend reading through.
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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.
