When it comes to the products you choose for your skincare routine, daily essentials like a cleanser, moisturizer, and sun protection should keep your true skin type in its healthiest base state.
Other products like serums and masks help you target specific concerns like evening out skin tone or texture, drawing impurities out of your pores, or replenishing your skin’s hydration and nutrients.
A great mask can deliver results after just one use, and using the right mask or combination of masks consistently can help you reach your next level of skin goals.
A weekly masking ritual can be pure fun or an essential part of your routine—especially if high pollution, stress, regular travel, or exercise are part of your life. Masking is also particularly beneficial during seasonal transitions, helping skin adjust gracefully from warm to cool weather or vice versa.
I'm new to masks, where do I even start?
The two basic masks every city dweller should have are: one that replenishes hydration, calms, soothes, and feeds the skin nutrients; and one that detoxifies the skin and pulls impurities out of the pores. Hydrating masks do not (or should not) dry the skin out, while purifying masks sometimes can — so balance is key.
Hydrating masks are often overlooked for oily and acneic skin types. Well-hydrated skin actually produces less oil, and hydration is half the battle in beating breakouts. A hydrating mask gives your skin a deep drink of calming moisture without clogging pores with a heavy daily moisturizer.
Purifying masks generally feature clays or charcoal, which draw excess oil and impurities out of the skin. However, purifying masks can also pull vital moisture from already-dehydrated skin. If your skin is depleted or very dehydrated, choose hydrating masks instead — no matter how appealing purification sounds.
Are there others? Yes, definitely. (Some exfoliants that stay on the skin for a period of time… like a mask… are called masks.) But for today, we’re keeping it simple.
How often should I mask?
Masking is best as a weekly ritual. Depending on your skin and the specific mask, some can be used multiple times a week. Your Skin Therapist can help you determine which masks to start with and how frequently to use them this season.
Always start masking with cleansed, gently exfoliated skin. You want to remove dead cells on the surface so your mask can properly penetrate and deliver results.
This seems time consuming. Any advice on how to make it part of my routine?
Decide on a time. Like any habit, putting it on your schedule makes it stick. Choose a day and time when you’re usually home or winding down. Sunday morning? Wednesday evening after work? Add it to your calendar. Yes, literally.
Multitask. What to do while you mask? Anything! Just set a timer. Clean, watch Netflix, answer emails… or mask while giving your employer that extra hour of work from home. 😉
Share. If it works for your partner’s skin type, make it a duo moment. Selfie optional.
