From peel off to bubbles – what are face masks & why do you need one?
Ah, working from home. There’s nothing like skipping the busy commute on a Friday morning, is there? But now with most of us spending more and more time in our quickly put together home offices, or just spending the days indoors, it can be hard to switch off and have some ‘me time’. Enter the humble face mask – the perfect opportunity to take 15 minutes for yourself and zone out.
We’ve rounded up everything you need to know about face masks, so you can treat yourself to the perfect one, two or three!
What is a face mask?
So let’s start with the basics. What actually makes a face mask a face mask? Face masks are basically skincare that’s applied for a certain period of time to allow skin to really benefit from its ingredients. There are tonnes of different face masks that cater to different skin concerns or types. Whether it’s a hydrating, creamy mask to help dry skin, an exfoliating peel-off mask to help give your skin a glow or a congestion-busting bubble mask to help purify skin, whatever your skincare dilemma – there’s a mask for you.
Do I need a face mask?
It’s entirely up to you! But everyone could benefit from a face mask from time-to-time. As we’re adjusting to our new ways of living, our skin is too. Chances are you may be eating different foods, not getting as much fresh air and exercise as usual and sleeping at different times. It’s not all bad news – trust us. Not only do face masks give your skin a much-needed pampering, but they can also help certain skin concerns like dry skin, blemishes or redness. And who doesn’t love a bit of TLC?
How often should I use a face mask?
This depends on what kind of face mask you’re using. Hydrating and moisturising face masks can be used as regularly as you feel your skin needs one. This could be anything from two or three times a week, or once a month. Exfoliating face masks which might contain fruit enzymes, AHA (alpha-hydroxy acids) or BHAs (beta-hydroxy or salicylic acid) shouldn’t be used more than twice a week – otherwise, they could be a little irritating to your skin. Light-therapy masks are often designed to be used daily, and our best advice would be to listen to your skin (and always read the instructions!).
Which face mask is right for me?
Finding the best face mask for you can be confusing – simply because there are so many to choose from. Don’t panic, we’re on hand to help. First of all, you want to establish which skin type you have and what you want to achieve from the mask. Once you’ve decided that, you’re good to glow.
If your skin is crying out for some moisture, look for face masks that contain hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and aloe vera. Sheet masks are great for dehydrated skin, as they really lock in moisture whilst giving you a boost of hydration. Got dry, flaky skin? Look for a creamy mask that you can leave on overnight to wake up with a soft and supple complexion come morning.
Charcoal, tea tree and clay masks are great for busting blemishes. Charcoal, clay and bubble face masks work to draw impurities out of pores, whilst anti-bacterial ingredients like tea tree or salicylic acid go right to the source and help zap it away. Face masks that may help acne can be drying, so only use these once a week – or use as part of your multi-masking regime.
If your skin is looking a bit dull, a radiance-boosting mask could be perfect for you. These often contain exfoliating enzymes that munch away dead cells that sit on top of your skin, revealing brighter, glowing skin underneath. If you’ve got sensitive skin, only use an exfoliating face mask once or twice a week, and follow with a good SPF to protect your baby-soft skin from sun exposure.
Looking to help reduce the appearance of your wrinkles? Hydrating face masks are great for helping to plump up skin with moisture and give the appearance of younger-looking, more radiant skin. The beauty of a hydrating face mask is that it can be used as often as you like – so sit back, put your feet up and relax!
Now you’re a maskateer, have a play with our great range of face masks. Don’t forget to tag us in your mask selfies @Bootsuk on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
