As with all skin care products, choosing a face mask can be a tedious task especially with the ever growing options available on the market. Add to that, there are several aspects such as ingredients used in the face mask, skin type, skin concerns, environmental factors like weather, etc. that needs to be taken into consideration before opting for the ‘right’ face mask.
Suffice it to say, skin care when rightly done is not an easy task. But fret not, we are here to help you out with every step. Read on to choose the best suitable face mask for your skin type.
In This Article
The 101 Reason to Use Face Masks
Before opting for any skin care product there’s always the question of ‘why should you use it?’
Face masks are an easy way to give your skin a quick burst of active ingredients and nourishment to help with your skin concerns. Masks are formulated with highly concentrated ingredients allowing them to penetrate deep within your skin and thus resulting in quick and effective results. Depending on their suitability for your skin type and concern, face masks can be an effortless skin care treatment before any important event.
Ingredients to Avoid in a Face Mask
When choosing a face mask, ensure that the ingredients used in it are suitable for your skin. Depending on your skin type and concern, these ingredients may change, which we discuss further in the blog, it is recommended to avoid products containing alcohol, fragrances and parabens.
When to Use a Face Mask
Using a face mask once or twice a week is more than enough. It is not recommended to include a face mask in your day-to-day routine as it may worsen or promote several skin conditions like acne, inflammation of skin, weakened skin barrier, etc.
Choosing a Face Mask for Your Skin Type
Face Mask for Dry Skin
When the skin fails to produce sufficient amounts of natural moisture, the skin may experience dryness. Moreover, a disruption of the lipid barrier may lead to dehydration of skin or trans-epidermal water loss causing the skin to become tight, dry and irritated.
A face mask for dry skin should ideally contain moisturising and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and glycolic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a key ingredient that helps moisturise and hydrate your skin
Face Mask for Acne
There is no doubt acne is troublesome and may affect a person’s mental health when it persists for long durations. For those constantly battling a never-ending spell of acne, it is likely that you have acne-prone skin.
A face mask for acne should consist of active ingredients such as salicylic acid and other AHA/BHA. Also look out for ingredients like niacinamide and zinc in a face mask. Zinc helps in reducing acne-induced skin inflammation, prevents premature ageing of skin, minimises appearance of fine line and wrinkles.
SkinQ’s Acne Control Mask developed with the benefits of salicylic acid, niacinamide, colloidal sulphur and zinc PCA helps unclog skin pores to reduce acne breakouts. It also manages sebum production and visibly gives you a bright, clear and smoother looking skin.
Alternatively, you can also opt for a clay mask as these help absorb the excess sebum as well as toxins from the surface of the skin, thus preventing acne development.
Face Mask for Sensitive Skin
For those with sensitive skin, choosing a face mask may seem like a daunting task given that even the mildest ingredients can result in red, inflamed and irritated skin.
Experts suggest using a face mask for sensitive skin that does not contain harsh ingredients. Look for a face mask with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, aloe extract, niacinamide and honey as these help soothe and calm an irritated and inflamed skin.
Niacinamide has shown to help calm skin conditions like rosacea and minimise redness of the skin. It is also helpful in treating hyperpigmentation.
It is best to avoid face masks developed with salicylic acid, fragrances, alcohol, sulphate and parabens as these may lead to dryness.
Face Mask for Oily Skin
Oily skin is a result of overproduction of sebum or natural oil by the skin pores. Those with the oily skin type may also observe a thicker skin texture and enlarged skin pores. Oily skin is also more prone to acne which may leave behind acne marks.
The best face mask for oily skin should help unclog skin pores and manage oil production without drying out the skin. It is recommended to use face masks that contain ingredients like lactic acid, niacinamide, salicylic acid, tea tree and zinc.
SkinQ’s Oil Control Mask is formulated with active ingredients like mandelic acid which helps draw out impurities from the skin pores. With benefits of niacinamide, saw palmetto and French green clay, our face mask helps control the excess sebum thus preventing acne breakouts.
Face Mask for Glowing Skin
The ideal skin is easily defined as clear, glowing skin, but achieving the ideal skin may seem close to impossible in the present scenario with hectic schedules, endless pollution and the harsh UV rays.
A face mask for glowing skin is intended to help detan and fade dark spots resulting in an even skin tone. When choosing a face mask for glowing skin, it is best to opt for ones with active ingredients such as niacinamide, vitamin C and licorice as they are known to even out the skin tone.
SkinQ’s Glow Bright Mask formulated with the special ingredients like glycolic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide and licorice helps get rid of dull tanned skin resulting in a brighter and even toned skin. With the added benefits of niacinamide, our face mask helps maintain the skin barrier leaving you with glowing, hydrated skin.
DIY Face Masks
If you prefer natural ingredients, here are a few ingredients right from your kitchen that you can easily whip up for a natural homemade face mask.
- Oats
- Honey
- Turmeric
- Yogurt
- Lemon juice
- Aloe vera
- Papaya
Price and Popularity Shouldn’t Matter
It is easy to be swayed by the popularity of a product, but popularity is only a game of branding. There is also the myth of ‘higher the price, the better the product’, but value and popularity mean little when it comes to the suitability of a product to the user’s skin.
A popular product may suit one, but do little for another person’s skin concern. When it comes to skin care products, all that really matters is the core skin concerns of the user and the skin care product’s ability to treat those concerns.
When choosing a face mask or any skin care product for that matter, it is best to opt for products that are suitable for your skin.
Wrapping Up
Face masks are small treats for your skin that can help with your skin concerns. Remember, it takes consistency to see results.
It is also important to keep in mind that face masks alone cannot help you with all of your skin concerns, you need to follow a good skin care routine to achieve the desired skin.