How to Choose the Perfect Face Mask for Your Skin Type
By: Alia Savage
There’s no better time than the present to be a face mask fanatic. The face mask industry is absolutely booming right now, so there's something out there for everyone; you just have to be patient enough to find it! And, I get it. No one wants to endlessly wade through expensive products until they find the right one. That’s why I’ve put together a super simple guide for you on how to find the best mask for you and your skin!
Determine Your Skin Type
If you have oily skin, you probably don’t need a mask that’s full of extra moisturizing agents. And, if you have dry skin, excessive exfoliating could leave you more susceptible to microscopic cuts, which can lead to scarring and infections.
If you figure out your skin type (which can change seasonally) beforehand, it’ll help you choose a mask that will actually help your skin instead of hurt it.
Determine Your Tone
Is your skin fair and fine? Dark and lovely? Or, one of the million equally fabulous shades that land in between? Now, you might be asking, “Why does it matter? This post is about face masks, not foundation,” and you’re right. But it still matters when it comes to skin type properties.
There are a million and one skin disorders out there that some face makes attempt to aide or correct. Sun damage. Hyperpigmentation. The list could go on. What might work for one person and their skin tone might prove to be too harsh or plain-old ineffective (and therefore, a waste of money) for another.
That’s why it’s important to read all directions before applying anything to your skin. And if you’re unsure on whether or not its properties will benefit you, don’t be afraid to Google them. That’s what it’s there for!
Determine the Health of Your Skin
Are you prone to sunburns? Acne? Eczema? Rosacea? Each of these conditions can affect how well your face mask works for your skin, so it’s important to identify any possible issues before you choose a face mask.
There are entire subgenres of facemasks dedicated to helping each of the issues above, as well as others, too numerous to count. You’ll want to look for those first, and if your skin ends up clearing up, you can then transition to more generalized masks.
Determine the Kind of Mask You Want
Face masks come in many different forms. It’s just a matter of choosing what works best for you. If you’re always on the move, then you might benefit more from the pre-made sheet masks that can be bought individually.
If you’re more environmentally conscious, you might opt for liquified mask that comes in a tube, of which you will get multiple uses. And lastly, if pampering is your goal, you might invest in a heavy clay mask. You know, the kind that you apply, then lay around in, while in your comfy bathrobe.
Extra Tips
You should only use exfoliating masks once or twice per week, no matter your skin type or tone. The point of exfoliating is to remove dead skin so that the new, healthy skin can shine through. If you exfoliate too frequently, you're not giving your cells time to replenish themselves.
Cleansing masks are usually rough on dry skin. Moisturizing masks could possibly make oily skin worse, depending on the ingredients. If you have a combination of the two, you could try that’s been coined as “micro-masking,” which is cutting masks up and applying them directly to the areas of your skin that need it.
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