Since both exfoliators and masks are usually made of nature's ingredients, they both produce immediately noticeable results. Some of the more popular mask ingredients may be fruit or citrus, plant, clay or mud. However "scrubbing" with exfoliators will invigorate while masks have a more concentrated texture and will calm and soothe the skin.
What do they do?
The author Andi, of www.andibradshaw.com says that masks are designed to leave the different skin types looking and feeling polished so that additional skin care products can penetrate more easily, leaving the skin looking healthier and more vibrant. Basically they calm or stimulate the skin but if you have any skin concerns (rosacia or acne, etc.) and the mask for your skin type doesn't seem right for you then only use masks for sensitive skin. This type is soothing to any kind of skin.
- If you have Dry skin, you'll need a mask that hydrates and moisturizes (adds oil and water) after cleansing, to alleviate that flaky, dry, tight feeling. Look for masks that contain milk proteins, oils, amino acids, buttermilk, or lanolin; the intensity of these ingredients are designed to provide a mixture that will infuse those really dry skin cells with extra hydration. The re-hydration of those dry cells will minimize the look of shallow wrinkles or fine lines.
- If you have Normal/Combination skin, look for masks that are designed to bring dull, tired looking skin to its naturally vibrant, healthy appearance. Try masks with menthol, peppermint or eucalyptus; they stimulate while they remove dead skin and dirt. Often peel-off and hardening masks with these ingredients produce the stimulating effect of mild tingling as they revive, and invigorate the skin and leave it looking more healthy.
-Oily skin requires a clay, deep cleansing or mud mask. These types all draw out or absorb the excess oils, dirt and impurities from facial skin. Clay masks open pores and encourage the skin to perspire. Perspiration rids the pores of dirt and impurities, while the clay absorbs the excess oil. The deep cleansing and mud masks remove imbedded dirt and oils while temporarily tightening the pores. The anti-bacterial ingredients in these type masks will leave the skin clean and diminish the increase of bacteria.
- Masks for Sensitive skin should be mild, gentle and soothing. Components like honey, chamomile, caffeine and aloe are all comforting. You'll find that honey helps retain moisture, chamomile will be soothing, caffeine reduces inflammation and caffeine can minimize redness and puffiness. With either ingredient in your mask, sensitive skin that is dry and or splotchy will achieve a result that will feel softer and look healthier and smoother.
How do I use Masks?
On clean skin, masks can be generously applied all over your face with clean hands or brush (avoiding the mouth and eye areas). Follow directions for time; recline, elevate your feet, close your eyes and relax. Masks that are a creamy or gel consistency and can be tissued or rinsed off. The peel-away gels should dry to a mask, and be removed by pealing off in a downward motion because that's the direction that your skin cells grow on your face. Masks for oily or acne prone skin, may be crusty or pasty when dry, hold a wet cloth to soften and remove product, rinse thoroughly and blot with clean cloth to dry. End with your moisturizing regimine. - 15275
What do they do?
The author Andi, of www.andibradshaw.com says that masks are designed to leave the different skin types looking and feeling polished so that additional skin care products can penetrate more easily, leaving the skin looking healthier and more vibrant. Basically they calm or stimulate the skin but if you have any skin concerns (rosacia or acne, etc.) and the mask for your skin type doesn't seem right for you then only use masks for sensitive skin. This type is soothing to any kind of skin.
- If you have Dry skin, you'll need a mask that hydrates and moisturizes (adds oil and water) after cleansing, to alleviate that flaky, dry, tight feeling. Look for masks that contain milk proteins, oils, amino acids, buttermilk, or lanolin; the intensity of these ingredients are designed to provide a mixture that will infuse those really dry skin cells with extra hydration. The re-hydration of those dry cells will minimize the look of shallow wrinkles or fine lines.
- If you have Normal/Combination skin, look for masks that are designed to bring dull, tired looking skin to its naturally vibrant, healthy appearance. Try masks with menthol, peppermint or eucalyptus; they stimulate while they remove dead skin and dirt. Often peel-off and hardening masks with these ingredients produce the stimulating effect of mild tingling as they revive, and invigorate the skin and leave it looking more healthy.
-Oily skin requires a clay, deep cleansing or mud mask. These types all draw out or absorb the excess oils, dirt and impurities from facial skin. Clay masks open pores and encourage the skin to perspire. Perspiration rids the pores of dirt and impurities, while the clay absorbs the excess oil. The deep cleansing and mud masks remove imbedded dirt and oils while temporarily tightening the pores. The anti-bacterial ingredients in these type masks will leave the skin clean and diminish the increase of bacteria.
- Masks for Sensitive skin should be mild, gentle and soothing. Components like honey, chamomile, caffeine and aloe are all comforting. You'll find that honey helps retain moisture, chamomile will be soothing, caffeine reduces inflammation and caffeine can minimize redness and puffiness. With either ingredient in your mask, sensitive skin that is dry and or splotchy will achieve a result that will feel softer and look healthier and smoother.
How do I use Masks?
On clean skin, masks can be generously applied all over your face with clean hands or brush (avoiding the mouth and eye areas). Follow directions for time; recline, elevate your feet, close your eyes and relax. Masks that are a creamy or gel consistency and can be tissued or rinsed off. The peel-away gels should dry to a mask, and be removed by pealing off in a downward motion because that's the direction that your skin cells grow on your face. Masks for oily or acne prone skin, may be crusty or pasty when dry, hold a wet cloth to soften and remove product, rinse thoroughly and blot with clean cloth to dry. End with your moisturizing regimine. - 15275
About the Author:
Andi Bradshaw is licensed as an esthetician and as a makeup artist in the state of Maryland. She has worked to enhance the faces of more than 15,000 women. The information in this piece was taken from the book "Skin Care for Moms & Other Working Women". Visit andibradshaw.com for this and other affordable, age specific, stroke by stroke, illustrated makeup and skin care books. Affordable makeup and skin care books.
