What you Should Know About Facial Masks

There seems to be differing opinions when it comes to the question: Do masks/facials really work?

More tend to say “yes” than “no,” but there are some conditions:

Consistency

You need to use facial masks on a regular basis. If you only take a multi-vitamin once a month, it’s really not going to make much of a difference and the same is true of facial masks. In order for your skin to reap the full rewards of a facial mask, you need to be applying one at least once a week. Done regularly, a mask can re-hydrate dry skin or soak up excess oil and tighten pores on oily skin. (The best for oily skins are masks make of milk of magnesia). Additionally, AHA peels with concentrations of 20% to 35% with a pH of 3.5 do a fantastic job of making skin appear smoother.

Know your Stuff

If you are applying a facial mask yourself, make sure you are using one that is appropriate for your skin-type. There are ones specifically for dry or oily skin; or if your skin appears to be especially dull you’ll want to find a mask that contains alpha hydroxy acids. Alpha hydroxy masks in particular are much stronger than your average mask, so you should really only use them about once a month. On the other hand, if you are going in for a professional facial or other treatment, make sure you are going to a reputable expert. Many in the field question the use of various peels and other types of skin treatments when performed by anyone other than a physician. If you’re going for a mud mask, an esthetician will do, but anything more complex and you’ll want to make sure you are getting top-notch treatment.

Don’t Expect Miracles, and Just Relax

Even those who say using facial masks are a bunch of bologna, can’t deny the benefits that come from the relaxation you experience when you are forced to just stop for at least twenty minutes. Just for the sake of argument, let’s say masks don’t do a darn thing for your skin. Well, at the very least, they don’t do any harm and everyone needs at least twenty minutes a week to just lay still and close their eyes.

So, give yourself a facial every week if you feel like it. After all, why not? It certainly couldn’t hurt!