Taking care of your skin is something that can often fall short on a beauty routine. Hundreds of new makeup and hair products hit shelves every few months. We see new beauty trends every season that is new and exciting, highlighting and blowout are just one example. Highlighters come in almost every form, and blow creams, hair dryers, and entire brands forged around the fabulous hair trend have dominated the beauty battlefield. These trends cause us to shell out big bucks to try them out on ourselves.
But what happens to your skin? It often falls short for many of us. Dropping $50 on a new Urban Decay palette is far easier than on a cleanser or toner. Unfortunately having good skin is key to beautiful makeup and while it’s not that attainable without the help of prescription medication. However, for some adding a simple skin care regimen into their everyday routine could make a world of difference. One of these super easy and often affordable steps is by throwing on a face mask before bed.
Face masks are often concentrated product in one form or another that provide the skin with a supercharge of benefits. Coming in several different ways that range from liquids to mud to sheets, they provide various benefits for all skin concerns and types ranging from dry to oily.
Sheet Masks
Sheet masks are a Korean skin care staple. Typically made of a fiber or paper the masks are coated or soaked in potent serums that can provide an array of benefits. They are incredibly moisturizing and plump dehydrated skin after just one use, making them ideal for dry skin. Most sheet masks are single use, easy to apply, and most are super affordable.
Recommendation: Tony Moly Sheet Mask, two pack, $7.50, Sephora.com
Clay/Mud Masks
These masks are especially good for the acne prone and oily people of the world. The clay in the mask pull the impurities and excess oil out of pores to the surface of the skin. Once you wash off the mask, you also wash off the impurities. The drying effect from this mask also tightens the skin and can help with the appearance of large pores. While they can be pricey, the amount of product you get allows for multiple uses and longer lasting results with use over time.
Recommendation: Kiehl’s Rare Earth Pore Cleansing Masque, 5.0 oz, $28, Birchbox.com
Peel Off Masks
Like clay masks, peel off masks aims to clear the skin of dirt, oil, and leftover makeup that’s lurking in the pores. Depending on formulation they can provide anti-aging benefits due to the tightening effect gives once it drys. These masks is especially helpful for lifting dry patches and getting stubborn blackheads. Unlike clay masks, peel off masks can be moisturizing and more suitable for dry skin.
Recommendation: Freeman Feeling Beautiful Cucumber Facial Peel-Off Mask, 6 oz, $4.29, ulta.com
Specialty Masks
Some masks have other benefits that can range from exfoliating, being super moisturizing, or delivering a boost of skin care ingredients. Masks can come in several forms and for every skin type. These are particularly useful to those with extreme skin needs. A moisturizing mask before bed can leave someone with parched skin, feeling refreshed and hydrated. For oily skin, an exfoliating mask can resurface the first layer of your skin preventing oil buildup in pores that cause stubborn acne. Older skin can benefit from using a collagen mask as time goes on our collagen production slows and these masks can leave skin plumped.
Recommendation: Ulta, Sephora, and other retailers offer a “try it” value set. I’d recommend buying one and giving a few a try.
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Overall, masks are an excellent way to treat yo self.