masking 101

masking 101

Written by Janu Yasotharan

Face masks are, arguably, the most indulgent step in any skin care routine. By devoting anywhere between 20-30 minutes intermittently, users can expose their skin to high concentrations of select and often active ingredients to give their skin the boost it needs. "The ingredients from a face mask are kept in longer contact with your skin because of the occlusion phenomenon of the mask on your skin," says Chérie Ditre, MD, Director of the Skin Enhancement Center and Associate Professor of Dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania. We sat with one of our Professional Skin Therapists, Nyssa Grays, for a closer look at masks.

Grays shares with us that though the more popular masks are clay-based and meant to detoxify and deep cleanse pores, there are many other masks with countless effects of their own. Personalizing your skin care routine does not have to stop at masks, and she recommends taking it a step further and multi-masking. If you're unfamiliar with the term, multi-masking refers to more than one type of face mask being used simultaneously on your skin. Multi-masking is an excellent approach to treating your skin, as it is unlikely that the skin on your face falls into one 'type' and, as a result, only has one specific set of needs. Like us, our skin is unique and has its own needs, and this is where multi-masking comes in— you can reap the benefits of different types of masks on several parts of your face.

You want your mask to work deeper than your cleanser would, so as a rule of thumb, Grays recommends applying your mask on clean skin. The concentrated ingredients packed into a mask treatment will better penetrate the layers of cleansed skin. In some instances, such as with moisturizing or leave-on masks with ingredients that are humectants, like our new Melting Moisture Masque, you could apply your mask on slightly damp skin over your toner and serum, and even under your moisturizer for a full-day experience. However, Grays recommends booking a free virtual consultation with a Professional Skin Therapist to get a custom and detailed skin care regimen down because products have their individual properties.

In the meantime, let's dive into some of our masks and their properties:

 

CONCERN

PRODUCT

THE DETAILS

HOW TO (AFTER CLEANSING)

Dry Skin
(Not for breakout-prone or oily/combination skin)

NEW melting moisture masque

Key Ingredients: Mango Seed Butter, Vitamin E, Plankton Extract, Linoleic Acid

 

Details: This mask is extremely moisturizing and transforms from balm to oil to help restore dry skin. Activated by the skin’s natural heat, it delivers a satisfying melting sensation as it penetrates the skin’s surface layers to deeply nourish and rehydrate. This mask is rich in essential fatty acids, making it ideal for colder/dryer months, or if you are someone who is suffering from dry skin. Due to its formula, Melting Moisture Masque will help restore and protect the lipid barrier in your skin.

Apply a pea-sized amount on face and massage into skin and leave on. Towel off excess, if necessary. Use once or twice a week, or as needed.

 

Oily Skin
Breakout Prone Skin
Congested Skin
Blackheads

blackhead clearing fizz mask

Key Ingredients: Sulfur, Kaolin Clay, Apple Fruit Extract

 

Details: This unique mask’s active fizzing formula effectively clears pores and helps target blackheads. This mask activates upon application, helping to open pores, decongest skin and facilitate blackhead clearing. Sulfur helps keep skin clear while kaolin clay absorbs excess oil and purifies the skin.

Apply to areas of congestion and allow 3-5 minutes to fully activate. Rinse thoroughly.

Oily Skin
Uneven Skin Tone
Breakout Prone Skin
Congested Skin

charcoal rescue masque

Key Ingredients: Charcoal, AHAs, Bamboo

 

Details: Charcoal Rescue Masque provides a chemical exfoliation with the blend of AHAs, as well as a physical exfoliation with volcanic ash, charcoal, and bamboo. This product detoxifies, brightens, and invigorates skin, and provides physical and chemical exfoliation for visibly revitalized skin.

After cleansing, apply generously to face and throat, avoiding the eye area. You may experience slight tingling. After 3 to 5 minutes, lightly massage with very wet hands to enhance exfoliation properties during removal. Rinse thoroughly and follow with routine.

Dryness
Dehydration

hydro masque exfoliant

Key Ingredients: Bamboo, Snow Mushroom, Phyto-lipids, Sugar beets

 

Details: This product offers exfoliation whilst also hydrating the skin, and helps deliver amino acids and lipids to the skin to increase and lock in moisture levels.

Apply all over face, neck, and lips. When you make contact with the spheres, squish them and the bamboo will be released. You’ll want to place the spheres in areas where exfoliation is needed. Once this is completed, leave the mask on for about 5-minutes and rinse.

Aging
Dehydration
Dryness

 

multivitamin power recovery masque

Key Ingredients: Algae extract, Oat kernel, Vitamins A, C, E and F.

 

Details: This mask is concentrated with antioxidants and vitamins to both enhance the skin’s barrier and recover it from damage.

Apply generously to cleansed face and throat. After 10 to 15 minutes, gently, yet thoroughly, rinse with warm water. Apply once per week or whenever the skin requires a soothing remedy.

Oily Skin
Breakouts

sebum clearing masque

Key Ingredients: Salicylic Acid, Bentonite and Kaolin clay, Niacinamide.

 

Details: This mask will help clear impacted pores and minimize oil production by regulating sebum production all whilst soothing inflammation. It imparts a cooling sensation on skin to help soothe breakout irritation and absorbs excess oils and refines the skin’s texture.

Use this as a spot treatment and rinse off.

 

OR

 

Apply a smooth layer to cleansed face and throat three times per week. May also be used exclusively on the T-zone. Leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

Dehydration
Dry Skin
Sensitivity
Redness

skin hydrating masque

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Tomato Seed Oil, Vitamin E

 

Details: This mask restores suppleness while minimizing fine lines and provides increased hydration and improved resilience.

It also provides in-depth moisturization.

Apply to clean face and throat. Allow mask to absorb for 7 to 10 minutes. Rinse with tepid water. Use once or twice a week as prescribed.

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