Face packs and face masks, terms often used interchangeably, are a great way to target specific skin concerns, lending high concentrations of potent ingredients. They can zap away excess sebum or offer your skin ultimate hydration.
While mud and clay masks are ideal for oily skin types, moisture-laden sheet masks can help liven up parched skin. Sensitive skin types tend to benefit from cream-based masks, and clay masks remove excess oil, dust, dirt, and grime. While clay masks are ideal for oily and acne-prone skin, dry skin types should steer clear of them. Most masks, including clay ones, should not be applied around the eyes or mouth and should be rinsed off as instructed on the label.
So when’s a good time to mask up? Consider doing it before applying your makeup for a clean and refreshed canvas. Doing so helps prep your skin for the products, removes dead skin cells, deeply cleanses pores, absorbs excess oil and dirt from the epidermis, and improves overall skin elasticity. Follow this up with a serum or moisturiser for added plumpness!
1. Benefits of Applying a Face Pack
Consider applying a face pack at least once every week for rejuvenated and deeply cleansed skin. Face packs give way to an unmistakable glow by sloughing off dead skin cells, grime, and other dirt build-up. Face packs can also help replenish your skin’s moisture, while specific ingredients such as tea tree, green tea, and salicylic acid can soothe inflammation and calm acne.
2. The Best Face Packs For Different Skin Types
- Dry Skin Types: Ingredients like hyaluronic acid and shea butter lend hydrating properties to dry skin.
- Oily Skin Types: Ingredients like tea tree, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide help soothe the skin and reduce redness and inflammation.
- Sensitive Skin Types: Ingredients like aloe vera and green tea are mild on sensitive skin.
How to Apply a Face Pack
Before touching your face, remember to wash your hands to avoid the transfer of bacteria. To apply a clay, mud, or charcoal pack, use an applicator brush or your fingertips. Spread a generous layer of the formulation onto your face and neck and allow the pack to sit for no more than 30 minutes. Then, you must rinse it off with lukewarm water.
If you’re trying on a sheet mask, place it on your face, keeping the mouth and eye region uncovered. Let it sit on your face for 10-15 minutes (as instructed), and remove. Massage the excess product into your skin for a smooth and supple complexion.
3. Things to Keep in Mind Before Putting on a Pack
Before throwing on a face pack, you must appropriately cleanse your skin with a suitable face wash or cleanser that’ll help open up the pores and allow for deeper absorption. Read the instructions on your face pack to know when to remove the formulation. While some packs may need to be rinsed off within 10 minutes, others can stay on your skin for up to 30 minutes. Letting the product remain on your skin for prolonged periods can cause over-drying of the skin and irritation.
Before purchasing a face pack, make sure you’ve gone through the ingredient label to know if the formulation is suited to your skin type. Investing in the wrong formulation can have grave consequences for your skin. Lastly, don’t expect a one-off application of the face pack to have magical results on your face. You must be consistent and committed to the process to see visible results and avoid formulations that boast alcohol, fragrances, or dyes.
4. Have You Heard of Multi-Masking?
A buzzword in the beauty industry, multi-masking refers to applying multiple face masks to different areas of the skin to address myriad concerns in one go. This method is ideal for combination skin types. For instance, if you have dry skin with an oily T-zone, apply a hydrating mask on the cheeks and a clay pack along your forehead and nose.
5. How to Pick the Ideal Face Pack For You
When contemplating between multiple formulas, keep the following features in mind:
- Avoid fragrances (often listed as ‘parfum’ on the bottle or jar) in your formulation. They can irritate your skin and cause flare-ups. Besides, they have no additional skincare benefits, so what’s the point?
- Inspect the ingredients list at the back of your product bottle or jar. The ingredient listed first is often present in the most quantity, while the elements at the end are present in a low amount.
- The best way to learn more about your product is to read its reviews. This way, you know what to expect and can make an informed decision without wasting your money. Real-people ratings can reveal a lot about the product that you can never know through browsing on the internet.
Conclusion
Buy Face packs online for skincare aficionados who desire a glow-up. You can apply a face pack up to 3 times a week for deeply cleansed and refreshed skin and at least once a week for an instantly rejuvenated complexion. But when buying one off the shelves, consider your skin type and the concerns you are targeting.
While moisturising face packs shouldn’t be used on oily skin, dry and sensitive skin types shouldn’t invest in over-drying formulations. Cleanse your hands before touching your face to avoid the transfer of bacteria, and moisturise after you have rinsed off the product to restore the moisture loss. If you possess combination skin, try multi-masking to target all your skin concerns in one go. This novel beauty method helps make the most of your masking experience by addressing multiple skin concerns.
However, avoid slapping on a face pack each time you indulge in your skincare routine, as it can severely dry out your skin. Stick to 1-3 times a week for the best results. Lastly, don’t expect immediate results; give your product the benefit of the doubt for at least a month before doing away with it.