Masks has been part of my weekly routine since my teen’s years. It is usually one of the final steps during Spa facials that result in a fresh, clean and glowing complexion. The fact that it is part of professional facials, is a good sign that are effective if is the right choice for different skin concerns. There are easy to apply at home and can be part of those relax moments of self-care. In the past, beauty lines have their one mask, but I have noticed a boom of different mask types and ingredients that leaves all us confused about what type of mask are appropriate for your skin concerns and sometimes if it is the best for the season. There is the basic clay mask, exfoliating masks, cream masks, peel off mask and now the sheet masks. I am concentrating in this post on my favorites hydrating masks and deep cleaning masks.
Deep cleaning is usually based on clay from different regions of the world. They are formulated to absorb excess of sebum, and impurities. Modern formulas also contain soothing], calming and decongesting ingredients and minerals to help the skin barrier and leave the skin clean and bright.
Hydrating Masks are quite interesting because there are different formulations in the market. They are designed to add hydration and support the skin cells to retain water in our skin. They are usually easy to apply, takes less time than clay mask and safer for the skin because they are adding hydration.
I am sharing below hydrating and deep cleaning mask only. These tend to use more often because of the results I have seen.
Hydrating Masks that I Love
Summer Fridays
Jet Lag Mask (Hydrate)
This is a hydrating mask that is great for stressed dehydrated skin. It nourishes the skin with vitamins, ceramides, antioxidants and gentle exfoliant extracts. I would love to have a travel size because it is perfect to use during flights or once arriving at the destination.
Apply a thin layer on cleansed skin and eave it for 10 minutes. I love that you can use this mask around the eye area. Remove it with a warm cloth. There is no need to rinse.
Sisley
Black Rose Cream Mask
This is a holy grail of moisturizing masks. It has been in the market for a while and I need to have this in my beauty arsenal after receiving a couple of samples several years ago. Sisley is a luxurious French line. It uses plant and botanical extracts as the main ingredients in their products. The Black Rose Cream mas is part of their Black Rose products. It contains Alkekengi Calyx extract from the rose to smooth the skin, Rose and Magnolia essential oils to sooth, Red Vine to promotes radiance, Chlorella to revitalize the skin. It also contains Shea Butter and Vegetable Glycerin.
I use the cream when the weather is very dry or with a combination with a clay mask. In the past I have used it as a sleep mask. It claims that offer “instant youth”. What I have noticed on my skin is that it plumps it and I feel the skin to be brighter, energized, soft and glows. I love the scent as well, specially while I am taking a bubble bath.
It is recommended to use it two to three times a week, applying a thick layer on the face and neck. I spread it to the décolleté area. Leave on the skin around 15 minutes and then wipe the excess of the product.
A trick that I do when I have time is that I use a clay mask and after removing it, I add the Black Rose Mask, but I use a roller to massage my skin with the mask. It makes me feel that the product is absorbed while promoting circulation and good massage muscle.
Osmotics
Blue Copper 5 Prime
This is an overnight mask that is targeted to skin that is forty plus years old. I recently began to try it, but I thought it is worth mention it because of its main ingredient. It claims that tightens and restores lost volume at the same time that plumps fine lines and wrinkles through intensive hydration. The base for the hydration is 20% of hyaluronic acid. It claims that once applied, you will notice an immediate tightening and lifting effect.
Apply to cleansed skin with fingers or a brush before bed time. Spread it to neck and décolleté and sleep with it on.Avoid the eye area. Use it as needed or at least once a week.
Deep Cleaning and Brightening Masks that I adore
Immunocologie
Vital Clay
Immunocologie is a line that I was not familiar but after a trip to France, I learned about the history of how this brand was born and the ingredients behind it. This motivated me to try it on.
This line was founded by Karen Ballow who had at that time, over thirty years of experience in the skincare care industry. Karen was concerned that the products she was using as part of her skincare routine were not supporting her health while she was going through cancer treatments for her Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She founded this luxurious skincare line that while was beneficial for the skin, will not be detrimental to the mind and body. It should be noted that this line was nominated as best in show in the 2018 Indie Beauty Expo.
The base of this line is green clay which is a healing remedy to calm inflammation and remove toxins and impurities, resulting in and healthy complexion.
This is one of my top two favorite clay mask, but it should be noted that it is pricey.
This mask in particular, includes three earth clays and twelve essential minerals and it claims that the mask will adapt to what the skin needs but it is hydrating at the same time. It is safe for oilier skins as well containing Salicylic Acid. The areas where the mask dries fast are the areas that need extra nourishment.
I have noted that reduce the size of the pores and at the same time, deep clean my skin. The skin feels radiant, hydrated and soft.
Apply a thin layer of the mask on clean skin. Spread all over your face, neck and décolleté. Let the mask dry and after has dry all over the area applied, remove it with a damp cloth or sponge. For maximum results use two to three times per week.
Volition
Detoxifying Silt Gelee Mask
I received a sample of this mask from Sephora as part of their Play program and I was quite impressed once I tried on.
It is detoxifying and simultaneously moisturizing mask that uses black silt to leave skin balanced and bright. The texture is Gel like. To me is very similar to a seaweed salad.
Black silt is like clay, but it is packed with bioactive nutrient compounds and its sustainably harvested from Finnish Lakes where it is never exposed to pollution.
It is targeted to uneven texture, visible pores and dryness.
Apply a generous amount over clean dry skin and let dry or 5-10 minutes before rising. I have an immediate effect of decongestion and minimize the pore size. I have used when I feel that I need a quick pick me up.
Charlotte Tlibury
Goddess Skin Clay Mask
This is a good clay mask at a reasonable price point. It claims on the packaging that visibly lifts, smoothens, brightens and tightens pores for baby skin. It contains Spanish clay, for deep cleaning and sweet almond oil to nou8rish the skin at the same time. It also claims to have Bio nymph Peptide Complex to promote collagen and elasticity and has the fragrance and moisturizing benefits of Frangipani Flower. It is the Cosmetic Executive Women Beauty Award winner in 2016.
Apply a thin layer on cleansed ski, all over the face avoiding the area around the eyes from the center to the hair line. You can spread to the neck and décolleté. Lave and relax for ten minutes and remove it with warm water. I use a muslin cloth to remove it. I recommend it to use at least once a week. I also recommended to use it before a make-up session.
The market has a boom of sheet masks that I want to talk about because I have tried quite a few but then this post was going to be too long therefore I decided to write a second part to concentrate in Sheet Masks and my favorite Sleep Masks. In the past I was quite disappointed with sleep mask, but recent formulas have me converted. What are your favorite masks? What are your skin concerns? Any cult lines favorite. Let me know your thoughts in the comment’s session.
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