What are the main benefits of sheet masks?
This Korean phenomenon has caught the attention of the media and aestheticians because everyone uses multiple different colored sheet masks. But is this just a trend or is it the new standard for our skincare routine? Well, we wanted to list all the benefits of sheet masks.
Hydration
The main purpose of sheet masks is to moisturize the skin by containing all the ingredients in an ideal formula for your needs. They are rich in serums that penetrate deep into the skin and contain extremely high concentrations of active ingredients. This helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines on the skin.
Someone once told us a metaphor that we really like: your skin is like a fish, it needs constant water to survive, so moisturizing is essential.
Look for ingredients like squalene, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, rice bran oil, and macadamia oil, all of which have been shown to be moisturizing.
No Mess
We are very proud of our charcoal masks, but when you are done using them, you need to cleanse your entire face to remove all the ingredients and ensure that the pores are closed. With some products that cling to the face, this can be an uncomfortable process (luckily, it is not for us because our formula does not work).
With a sheet mask, however, there is no mess as you place it neatly on your face and the sheet is the same shape as your face. You then don’t need to remove it at the end as the serum will continue to penetrate the skin and work its magic like a moisturizer.
Never
Because the formula is close to the skin and pushed up by the cloth, it has nowhere to go except to be absorbed by the skin. However, this is another reason why we stress the importance of preparation beforehand, exfoliation opens up the pores and removes dead skin cells and oil from the surface of the skin. Other masks may evaporate, but when it comes to absorption, sheet masks are the winner.
Clean and Hygienic
Like any beauty product, they can become unhygienic over time because bacteria can accumulate on them when we touch or use them. Think of it this way: you may have dirt on your hands, and every time you put your fingers in the product, it spreads bacteria, which then reaches your skin. The advantage of a sheet mask is that it can only be used once, which means it is more hygienic than any other mask in its class.
No More Guesswork
We are often asked how much of each of our products you should use. We try to label our products as closely as possible, but it can still be a confusing process, especially when you’re trying something new. There’s no guesswork with sheet masks, as the exact amount you need is dispensed on each sheet.
Youthful Glow
We all have a natural glow on our faces when we’re young, but as we age, it fades away. Certain ingredients in sheet masks can combat this, giving your complexion a more radiant look. Look out for vitamin C, licorice root extract, or niacinamide, for example.
Great for Sensitive Skin
Many people suffer from sensitive skin, which can cause issues with their skincare routine. Sheet masks don’t require as many preservatives as other products like moisturizers and similar creams, so the risk of irritation is much lower.
Fights Acne
In addition to moisturizing the skin, many people use sheet masks because they have extra benefits and anti-acne ingredients, such as charcoal or green tea. Procoal is an activated charcoal beauty brand, so we know a lot about activated charcoal!
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.