4 Things to Know When Choosing a Face Mask
You can find all kinds of facial masks these days - from soothing, brightening, moisturising, and also for individual parts of the face, such as the eyes. But do you know which is the right mask for you? Here, Mary Kay’s make-up artist Jelena Liaudiniene tells you all about face masks, what you need to know in order to choose the appropriate mask for you, and to get the results that you want.
So, how did it all begin? “Face masks were created in ancient China. They used rice paper and rice water. Women realised that the active ingredients evaporate very quickly from the surface of the skin. As a result, they applied material to the face that prevented the product from evaporating, making it more active or deeper. Thus began the trend of face masks. Later, the masks began to be made from this same material. Even before going to China, one can find compressed thin-tissue tablets that swell into serum or lotion and swell into a mask, ”J. Liaudiniene said.
When and what masks are best for use?
We’ve come a long way since face masks were made of rice paper. Now, the variety for sheet masks is wide, from innovative technologies to those applied to certain areas of the face, such as the eyes, neck, decollete.
“Nowadays, with advances in technology, the range of masks is insanely large. One of our most popular masks today is made from biocellulose fabric that comes from coconut water. It is a completely natural fabric that fits perfectly into the skin and allows the ingredient to be absorbed into the skin. There are masks that are applied to a specific area of the face, such as the eyes. They eliminate dark circles around the eyes, brighten and stimulate microcirculation. There are also some that are designed to address a specific problem, such as frequent acne onset or pigmentation, ”says the make-up artist.
Manufacturers offer a variety of masks that give different facial results. However, the make-up artist says it is best to choose face masks based on the active ingredient and skin type.
“When it comes to choosing a mask, two main criteria should be distinguished: the active ingredient of the mask and the skin type. Facial cleansing masks usually contain active ingredients that absorb oil or contain a certain amount of clay. Such masks should not be stored for more than 15 minutes, because when they remove oil, they also remove moisture from the skin, which makes the skin dehydrated very quickly. They are not recommended if your skin is dry or sensitive. However, they are great for oily, combination skin.
If the masks are purifying, brightening, or hydrating, I would suggest putting them on your face during the second half of the day, in the evening. The ingredients in brightening masks reduce the uneven distribution of melanin on the skin surface, so using such face masks is not advisable to be exposed to the sun, ” says Jelena Liaudinienė.
How can we use masks correctly?
Many women often wear face masks and expect immediate results, with some using them only when they see that their skin condition has become extremely poor. However, for best results, face masks should be a part of your regular facial skin care routine.
“You should include it into your regular routine, and not just during the holidays or when you feel that your face needs special care. Each mask specifies in the description how long the mask should be applied on for. This time depends on the active ingredients in the mask. On average, masks on the face are held for 15-20 minutes. Sometimes you can also find masks that you need to keep on your face overnight. Usually masks are used 2-3 times a week, ”said the make-up artist.
But with face masks, it is equally important to do so in moderation. Excessive use of face masks may cause the skin to become overly saturated with active ingredients and may also result in an allergic reaction.
"If the ingredients in the mask are too strong, the skin may become slightly aggravated. That does not necessarily mean that you are allergic to the product; it may just mean that the skin is already saturated, or you just haven't used any concentrated substances on your skin for a long time in such high doses, leading your skin to become red, rash, or tingle.
I would compare it to sports. If you haven't exercised for a long time and you go to the gym, the next day you get a lot of muscle pain. With masks, it is very similar, so you should start with gentler ones, such as moisturisers or masks that help soothe the skin, which you can use frequently and even daily. Whereas with purifying masks or masks for mature skin (anti-aging) should be used less frequently, once or twice a week, "- says J. Liaudinienė.
Don't forget the eye masks
The skin around your eyes are very sensitive and therefore requires extra care. One of the most effective solutions is masks. They nourish the skin around your eyes, helping to get rid of annoying dark circles.
“Our brand's eye masks have a hydrogel texture which allows it to penetrate the skin very well. These masks can be a real solution for a busy woman who needs to achieve the desired result as quickly as possible. For example, to get rid of dark circles under the eyes, give it an extra glow and hydration.
The amazing thing is that eye masks are suitable for women of all ages - they can be used by a 20-year-old student, to a more mature woman. However, it is important to remember that one mask will not do all the work. You will always get the best results by combining eye masks with a face serum and a face cream that suits your skin type. This will make your daily skin routine even more effective," said the artist about skin care for the eyes.
What masks should we use in winter and summer?
The make-up specialist warns that it is also important to consider the time of year when choosing a face mask. According to her, winter is the most appropriate time to use whitening masks, whereas in summer, these measures should be avoided and opt for moisturizing and restoring masks.
“Moisturizing and restoring masks are more suited for summer when you need to soothe your sun-tanned face. In the summer, we should be more cautious about using any sunblock or whitening masks because the sun promotes the action of melanin on the skin, and using sunblock means our skin is exposed to strong substances that can cause problems with our skin in response to the sun. Such measures are more appropriate in winter. Also in the cold season, all the measures that nourish and protect the skin from cold are very suitable. Because there are large temperature differences between the outdoors and indoors, the active heating season imbalances our skin, dehydrating it and leading it to become more sensitive, so it is necessary to nourish it, "- said J. Liaudinienė.
