Nourishing, hydrating, deep-cleansing... the benefits of face masks are numerous and vary depending on the active ingredients they contain. However, for the mask to be beneficial for your skin and to enhance the effectiveness of other products, certain steps must be adhered to. Here's what they are.
5 tips for correctly applying your face mask.
Summary
Published on February 16, 2024, by Stéphanie, PhD, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences — 4 min of reading
Themes:
Discover all the facial masks available at Typology.
1. Prepare your skin to receive the mask.
First and foremost, a facial mask should always be applied to a clean and makeup-free skin. It is unthinkable to perform a deep treatment if your pores are clogged with sebum and impurities.
After makeup removal, to ensure the effectiveness of your mask, it is necessary to thoroughly cleanse your face to ensure all traces of makeup or surface dirt have been eliminated with a cleansing product that is non-aggressive and suitable for your skin type.
Similarly, before applying your face mask, it is also recommended to go through the exfoliation stage, which should be chosen according to your skin type to avoid damaging the epidermis. Indeed, it is important to exfoliate your skin beforehand, as dead cells can limit the effectiveness of the mask.
2. Use the right tools to apply the mask.
For the application of the mask, there are two options: either do it with your fingers, or with a brush. Whichever method is chosen, they must be perfectly clean. We recommend you to use a brush to spread your mask. This allows for better precision and avoids overloading the skin. Indeed, there is no point in applying excessively thick layers. This tool is suitable for applying both thick and fluid textured masks.
To do this, take a small amount of the product and spread it evenly across your entire face and neck, being careful to avoid the eye area. After each use, ensure to thoroughly clean the brush with soapy water.
3. Adhere to the recommended application time.
Masks have a unique characteristic: their application time varies depending on the concentration of active ingredients. However, it is crucial to strictly adhere to the recommended duration advised. Leaving your mask on for longer will not make it more effective. On the contrary, if you exceed the recommended application time, it could irritate your skin and cause a skin reaction. Indeed, you may experience the opposite effect to what you expected: dehydration, redness, or even itching.
Note : Some masks can be applied in a thin layer and left on overnight for enhanced action.
4. Rinse the face with warm water.
Once the time has elapsed, it is time to remove the mask. To do this, it is recommended to rinsely rinse your face with warm water. It is a myth to believe that hot water can dilate the pores and that cold water can tighten them. However, by washing your face daily with hot water, you risk damaging the upper layer of the epidermis, thus causing skin dryness or uncontrolled sebum production.
However, lukewarm water helps to remove impurities, whilst rebalancing the skin without causing irritation. To remove the mask, you can use a glove designed for this purpose. You can complete this skincare routine by applying a toning lotion to remove any limescale residues and rebalance the skin's pH.
5. Remember to properly hydrate your skin after the mask.
Immediately after rinsing off the mask, it is recommended toprovide a surge of hydration to prevent tightness and nourish the skin. Indeed, it is beneficial to apply a moisturising treatment after your mask to maximise the effects of the treatment on your skin, but also to help strengthen the hydrolipidic film. Moreover, some masks can have a tendency to dry out the skin, such as clay masks.
