Facial Masks

Masks are designed as an intensive treatment for various skin problems. Masks fall into two general categories:

Setting masks harden and dry after a few minutes of exposure to air. They are used for cleansing, to remove surface dead cells, and to absorb sebum. Setting masks are good to firm mature skin by trapping moisture in the surface layers.

Non-setting masks are moisturizing and soothing masks. They do not harden or dry but absorb very readily. These masks are intended for dry and sensitive skins.

A mask is ingredients such as herbs, vitamins, and oils combined with clay, seaweed, or hydrating bases that together tightens, tones, hydrates, and nourishes the skin. Masks come in powder form or are already premixed.

They provide numerous benefits for the skin:

• Tighten and tone the skin
• Draw impurities out of the pores
• Clear up blemishes
• Hydrate
• Nourish
• Calm and soothe
• Rejuvenate the skin

Clay masks draw impurities to the surface of the skin as they dry and tighten, and stimulate circulation. These masks contain clay, kaolin, bentonite, or silica for their tightening and sebum-absorbing effects. Stronger clay masks are used on oily and combination skin. Clay-based masks with sulfur have healing and antiseptic properties and have a beneficial effect on acne.

A couple of things to consider in choosing a mask:

1. Pinpoint the skin care issue that needs attention and your skin type. Masks provide a good boost to common skin concerns such as acne, dullness, oiliness, and dryness.
   
2. Look for moisturizing and nourishing ingredients. For dry and flaky skin, moisturizing masks add a good boost of hydration. Look for these ingredient; glycerine, honey, plant oils, and antioxidants. For acne prone skin look for ingredients such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, sulfur, and tea tree oil. To deep clean and clarify oily skin, ingredients such as green clay, umbrian clay, and kaolin clay give skin a fresh appearance.

Facial masks are most commonly used by women but are also used by men.

Products worth recommending:
Dermalogica and Peter Thomas Roth both offer masks for all skin conditions.

Dermalogica Masques: (To find a salon near your location www.dermalogica.com)

• Skin-Hydrating Masque is an orange flower based masque used on all skin conditions to hydrate and replenish.
• Skin Refining Masque is a clay-based mask designed to absorb oils and refine texture. Good for acne prone/oily skin conditions.
• Anti-Bac Cooling Masque for acne-prone skin conditions works in reducing inflammation and regulates sebum.
• Intensive Moisture Masque used for dry to ultra-dry skin conditions. This masque features essential fatty acids and honey to restore moisture and help to alleviate fine, dry lines.
• MultiVitamin Power Recovery Masque used for sun damaged and irritated skin with vitamins A, B5, C, E and F to provide repair.

Peter Thomas Roth Masques: (Sold in retail stores and on line www.peterthomasroth.com.)

• Cucumber Gel Masque is an anti-irritant gel masque for all skin types. Recommended for daily use as a hydrating and calming masque.
• Hydrating Nutrient Masque is a non-drying nutrient clay masque that adds moisture and anti-oxidants to dry, dehydrated, sensitive and mature skin.
• Oxygen Detoxifying Masque is rich in advanced bioactive and anti-oxidant vitamins. This masque revitalizes dull. Congested skin and helps tighten pores and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

PTR Acne Masques include:

• Sulfur Cooling Masque is an aromatic medicated masque with eucalyptus, sulfur and purified clay designed to exfoliate dead skin cells and inflamed acne.
• Therapeutic Sulfur Masque is a medicated masque with sulfur and purified clay designed to exfoliate dead skin cells for problem and non-sensitive skin types. Cleanses oily, T-zone and clogged pores.

A good mask can noticably improve the appearance of the skin.