Do I need to exfoliate before using a mask?
If you’ve had a facial before, you know that it takes time and effort to achieve that radiant, baby-soft skin that you get at the spa. With a professional facial, you can expect 3 to 4 or even more skin-perfecting steps, each
designed to treat a different layer of skin.
With that in mind, when using masks at home, one wonders why we sometimes use masks without taking the time to include these extra steps. Then exfoliating before applying the mask adds a touch of luxury and gives your skin the
extra care that a professional treatment brings.
So today we will give an example to illustrate why you should exfoliate when using a mask.
Should I exfoliate before or after applying a mask?
To ensure your skin is getting the best care possible through the use of masks and other steps in your daily routine, it’s important to follow some basic skin care rules.
By this we mean that you must always make sure your skin is completely free of makeup as well as any germs or debris before applying a mask. That way, you can use a clay, mud, or cream mask to keep impurities from sticking to
your skin. This often results in clogged pores and the appearance of pimples and blackheads on the skin.
When it comes to the extra step of exfoliation, it’s best done after cleansing the skin and before applying a mask. This helps keep the face clean and removes any remaining product residue and buildup, while the exfoliating
particles slough off dead skin cells.
Then you’ll find that the active ingredients in the mask of your choice work faster and more impressively to improve your complexion, leaving it radiant, detoxified and healthy. If you want to learn more about face masks and
the benefits of different formulations for your skin, you can read my previous blog on how often to use a face mask in your skincare routine.
After removing the mask, you should apply a toner. However, make sure the formula does not contain AHAs or BHAs, as this can be too much for the skin and can lead to dryness and breakouts.
Can I apply a mask after exfoliating?
As long as you make sure the mask formula doesn’t contain any chemical peels or other strong ingredients that might stress the skin too much, this should be perfectly fine. Peel-off masks are best avoided as they cause the skin
to stretch and strip it of vital moisture and sebum.
When this imbalance occurs, the skin usually overcompensates and starts producing excess sebum to restore the skin’s natural protective barrier. This all leads to a cascade of inflammation that leads to breakouts, redness, and
scaly, dry areas of the skin.
Can I exfoliate and apply a mask on the same day?
You really can! As mentioned earlier, you should only exfoliate your skin before applying a mask if any subsequent steps in your skincare routine do not include AHAs, BHAs, or other chemical exfoliants.
Daily Exfoliating Skin Care. makeup remover. Cleanse your skin with a non-foaming cleanser. Exfoliate with a physical exfoliator or a cotton pad soaked in a chemical exfoliator. Using a Clay, Mud, or Cream Mask. Rinse skin and
use a non-exfoliating floral toner to remove any residue
Cleanse your skin with a non-foaming cleanser. Use a mask of your choice, including peel-off masks. Gently wipe skin with a cotton pad soaked in AHA toner Apply a generous amount of serum containing hyaluronic acid or
niacinamide. eye cream. Moisture Cream. Daily SPF (mornings only)
To get a better idea of which procedure is best for you and your skin type, you can try both procedures and see how your skin looks and feels. Once you find the right daily routine, you’ll find that your skin looks better than
ever: clogged pores are cleared, the texture feels and looks smoother, and blemishes or breakouts are visibly reduced.
What should I do after wearing a mask? After using the mask, you should continue with the rest of your skincare routine. Of course, remember to add active ingredients that nourish, protect and rejuvenate your skin to keep it at
its healthiest.
You’ll find the following ingredients should work for your skin type. If you find that your skin type is drier or more sensitive, it’s best to consult your doctor or dermatologist to be on the safe side.
As always, we strongly recommend that you perform a 24-hour patch test on any new product or ingredient you are adding to your routine for the first time. This will help you avoid rashes or irritations caused by ingredients that
are too strong and irritate your skin.
Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid and L-ascorbic acid). These active ingredients are most effective at moisturizing and nourishing the face, balancing and restoring calm to the skin’s outer layer, which is often damaged by
free radicals such as pollution, UV rays and other environmental factors. We have linked a dedicated blog post for you to learn more about all the skin benefits of using the above ingredients.
Hope we’ve answered some of your questions about exfoliating with face masks today. It would be such a shame not to take the extra time to get a spa-like facial at home! If you try one of the many Procoal face masks you’ve
purchased for yourself, don’t forget to tag us in your mask selfies on Instagram!
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
