A good skincare session can do wonders for your skin, but is there really such a thing as too much? While you can never overdo self care, you can overdo skincare. Over-masking is one such example, and applying a face mask too often can be surprisingly counterintuitive.
Face masks can do many things. They can hydrate, help to soften wrinkles and even aid in rebalancing problem skin, from oiliness to dryness and even acne. However, applying them too frequently can result in the materialization of various side effects. These can make themselves known at a faster rate if a mask contains drying or active ingredients such as a type of clay or an in-built exfoliant. Ingredients that have the ability to be harsh on the skin if used on a regular basis can be especially detrimental to dry, sensitive and problematic skin types since they are less tolerant. It should also be acknowledged that, when wet, your dermal barrier is more vulnerable when faced with potentially irritating ingredients, in whatever form they come in, and this can contribute to any reaction you might experience. Applying masks with such components to your face on a frequent basis can produce itchy, over-sensitive, irritated or flaky skin. Of course, it goes without saying that over-masking is not just restricted to masks – it can be a result of combining too many skincare products within a short space of time, including masks.
So, how can you avoid over-masking? There are several routes you can take, the first being to consider making yourself a DIY mask. DIY masks are products that can be made as and when you need them, which in itself is a preventative measure. An added bonus is that, because they don’t have to spend months sitting on a shop shelf, they don’t need any harsh preservatives to stop them from going off. As such, they’re much gentler on the face, not to mention that the aforementioned lack of preservatives stops you from making large quantities, which is a good tactic to avoid over-masking. That said, if you prefer to buy a face mask, always make it a habit to check the label to see how many times you should apply it per week. Turn your attention to tackling one dermal concern at a time if you can, and take it from there. Bear in mind that, if you have an effective skincare routine already in place that caters to your specific skin type, a mask can be incredibly beneficial when used 1 – 2 times per week to just give your skin an extra dose of TLC without giving it too many treatments to contend with.
It’s all very well saying that a face mask is good for you, but it’s another thing to know which ingredients are best for your skin. While there are a plethora of ingredients to choose from – and bear in mind that these can vary depending on which skin type you’re treating – the ones we are about to mention are some of the most popular. They are: anti-inflammatories like hemp, aloe vera, chamomile, oats or licorice, fruit acids/enzymes for their brightening and exfoliating capabilities, antioxidants for their defensive and anti-aging qualities, hyaluronic acid for its collagen-boosting and hydrating properties, clay and charcoal for their detoxifying effects, and last but not least turmeric for its calming and healing abilities, especially when it comes to acne. Though you may need to apply with caution at first if you have sensitive skin, face masks with retinol or a retinol alternative like bakuchiol, AHAs or BHAs can be very helpful, too. Especially if you have older skin, one or more anti-aging ingredients can do your face the world of good when used in moderation.
If you’ve finished your weekly face mask session, your skincare appointment isn’t finished just yet. When it comes to face masks, many dermatologists say that how you treat your face afterwards is as valuable as the mask itself. The application of a moisturizer post-mask can help to lock in any moisture from the mask and, in so doing, fend off any hydration loss that you may otherwise experience. Of course, this depends entirely on the nature of the mask – some are meant to be rinsed off while others are designed to be left on. It’s even more important to apply moisturizer if your face mask is meant to be removed rather than simply massaged in and left. If you have applied an exfoliating face mask, always ensure to apply some sunscreen as a last step in your routine to prevent sunburn/UV damage since your skin will be more vulnerable than normal at this time. Another thing you can do is to apply toner after masking as this type of product helps to tone and stabilize the state of your skin by using its astringent qualities to close pores. Bear in mind that toners that contain alcohol are more drying, so try to avoid these if you have dry or sensitive skin.
If you would like to read more about skin types and how to treat yours, visit our Skin Types page for more information. To browse the skincare brands that we feature, visit our Men’s Skincare Brands and Women’s Skincare Brands to find out more.