Facial Masks 101: Types, Tips and Benefits.

Welcome to the Facial Mask Bar. Serving up the most indulgent facial treatments for all skin types. In the never-ending quest for beautiful skin, there is nothing quite as luxurious, yet integral, as a facial mask to boost your skincare routine. While they do provide a relaxing, spa-like experience at home, they are also the foundation of skincare and self-care. Knowing what mask works best for you can be overwhelming with all of the beauty noise. That’s where we come in. This is Face Masks 101: sharing types, tips and oh yes, the many benefits.

Facial Masks 101

Facial masks are designed to deliver high concentrations of actives to skin while creating an occlusive barrier between the air and your skin, so your skin reaps all of the wonderful benefits with no product evaporation.

There are facial masks that address concerns from hydration, skin texture, acne, age spots, elasticity to fine lines and wrinkles. Depending on your skin type and needs, you should be using a facial mask at least 1-2 times a week.

It can get confusing with the plethora of masks out there so we are here to help! Let’s press pause for 15- 20 minutes for some self-care and skincare and have a look at some of the types of facial masks, their benefits and who should be using them. Your skin will drink up the benefits!

The Facial Bar: Cheers to Gorgeous Skin

Gel Masks 

Beautiful skin – straight up!

Perfect for most skin, especially dry, damaged, inflamed and sensitive, gel masks are weightless and refreshing. A jelly consistency, they cool, soothe and quench skin while offering many anti-aging benefits depending on the mask.

Most of them contain antioxidants (such as Vitamin C) as the main active ingredient and offer plumping, brightening, hydration and repair.

Skin Tip: Store gel masks in the fridge for an extra-cooling treat for skin!

May we suggest: Marmalade Vitamin C Mask.

Clay Masks

Beautiful skin on the rocks.

Applying a clay mask to greasy, acneic skin can be so satisfying. Clay masks help draw out impurities, excess oils and demineralize skin to restore skin’s balance for clear, glowing skin. It is perfect for any skin type that need a little ‘oomph’ but such a perfect option for bumpy texture, oily, dull or congested skin.

Skin Tip: Can be used as a spot treatment.

There are many types of clay masks, to cater all skin types and conditions.

Green Clay – Acne, skin needing purification (not recommended for sensitive).

White Clay (Kaolin) – Purifying. Dry, sensitive, oily. Most gentle clay.

Red Clay – Balancing. All skin types.

Although clay masks have so many amazing benefits, it is important not leave them on skin for too long. When it is damp, your skin pulls in the beneficial minerals from the mask. As it begins to dry and cool, the mask naturally begins to feel tighter as it absorbs excess oils and sebum from your skin and it stimulates blood vessels and oxygen to cells. Once it is dry and flaking, it can start dehydrating your skin.

May we suggest: Ochre Earth – Remineralize+Detox Kaolin Mask.

Hydogel Mask

With a twist of cool.

Generally, a cooling and refreshing water-based, gel-texture treatment, the hydrogel mask is formulated to target specific areas and concerns, like undereye puffiness, hydration boost for dark circles and neck skin. They often come in disposable eye patches and can give skin an instant visible boost.

Try our soothing eye hydrogel, EYE Sea Hydrogel Serum. Not disposable pads, waste-free.

Exfoliating Masks

A  ‘splash’ of glowing skin.

Exfoliating masks help to slouth away surface debris and dead skin, while giving skin cell’s natural turnover process a boost.  If you’re wanting babysoft, glowing skin without irritation and damage, look for a clean, vegan and safe exfoliating mask. Some exfoliation masks contain sharp ingredients that can potentially damage skin. Look for AHAs and BHAs, which are chemical exfoliants that help remove dead skin cells from the outer layers of skin while delivering hydration.

Lactic Acid – sensitive skin, uneven skin, dark spots

Salicylic Acid – acne, oily skin, inflamed skin

Glycolic Acid – Blackheads, acne, uneven skin tone, anti-aging

Malic Acid – sensitive skin, uneven skin tone and texture, dark spots, anti-aging

Exfoliation is one important part to any solid skincare regimen for dewy, youthful complexion as long as it’s used in moderation. Over-exfoliation can cause significant problems for skin, including inflammation, breakouts and redness. 

Enzyme Masks

For the lightweight.

Who ordered baby soft skin without the irritation? Dry skin? No problem! Sensitive skin? Don’t worry! Even though enzymes can exfoliate skin at a deep level, it is in a more gentle and effective way so you won’t have to worry about irritating or burning your skin so are generally more suitable for easily reaction skin.

Fruit enzymes combat many skin conditions, from acne, redness, dryness and inflammation. Enzymes work to break down the dry, dead skin cells, particularly those on the skin’s surface. The most effective enzymes for skin are bromelain (from Pineapple), Papain (from Papaya), actinidin (from Bananas), Pumpkin and blueberries.

Enzyme Spotlight

Pomegranate enzymes are generally more suitable for ultra-sensitive skin. They are a great alternative to AHAs, as they eliminate dead skin cells from the skin’s surface, they also calm and help repair skin, promoting radiance, clarity and improving elasticity. 

Pineapple – acne and blemished skin, clogged pores

Papaya – antioxidants and vitamins

Pumpkin – dark spots, anti-aging

Blueberry – acne and sensitive types

Cream Masks

For thirsty skin.

Any other wash-off mask that doesn’t fill in the above categories will likely fall here. Cream masks are ideal for mature and dry skin and help restore the hydration and deliver nutrients.

May we suggest: Skinny Dip: Intensive Hydration Mask.

Multi-Masking

Make it a double.

If you have combination skin (say – oily T-zone and dry cheeks), you might benefit from multi-masking. Basically, this is putting a different mask on different parts of your face.

Skin Tip: Try using a creamy mask for cheeks and a clay mask in T-Zone.

Closing the Bar Down.