Most of us know that a good face mask is a key skincare must-have for taking your complexion to a new level of health and vitality. These super hard-working potions are often actively ingredient-rich making them powerful in their performance, not to mention fun to use and even therapeutic in nature. However, with so many different types of masks available in a variety of formulations, its no wonder that you may be a little overwhelmed and confused as to which one is most suitable for you.
If it’s not confusing enough, we ultimately need to ‘co-manage’ our complexion by way of managing both our individual skin type (combination, oily or dry etc) and any other various skin concerns (wrinkles, pigmentation etc) that may be present. To refresh, your skin type is the amount of oil that is present on the skin naturally, is genetically determined and that usually stays the same for life. Your daily skincare basics such as your cleaner and moisturiser should be formulated to manage this underlying skin behaviour/type.
On the other hand, skin concerns are those issues we have with our complexion that come and go and that generally occur due to external or lifestyle influences. The good news is that they can usually be corrected relatively well with the right care and product choices: masks and other skincare treatments (i.e. serums) generally work best when they are specifically formulated for those skin concerns you may have.
So, now that we are refreshed on skin physiology, let’s get back to face masks. To make it all a little easier to navigate through, it’s important to know the overall functions of a mask and how to best select one for most effective result. Masks are a once to twice weekly intense treatment designed to deliver instant rebalancing and reenergising results to the complexion. Let’s now address the:
✓ Four main mask categories
✓ The specific skin concerns they treat
✓ Their expected results
✓ What types of ingredients you should generally find in them
✓ A usage top-tip
✓ Complimenting product recommendation
MASK CATEGORIES
Nourishing and Hydrating Masks
Relative skin conditions: Dehydration, flakiness, crepiness and dull skin
Results: Plumps, refreshes, moisturises and makes skin feel more comfortable (less tight)
Key Ingredients to look out for: AHA’s, Hyaluronic acid
Top tip: Apply mask to a damp skin for a more intensely hydrating result
Origani product solution: Immortajell Wrinkle Diffusing Mask
Anti-ageing and Age-corrective Masks
Relative skin conditions: Lines and wrinkles, loss of firmness, loss of volume,
Results: Firmer, tighter, more toned and lifted skin that also looks brighter and plumper
Key Ingredients to look out for: AHA’s Peptides, Collagen, Hyaluronic acid
Top tip: Pop on your favourite anti-ageing serum before mask application. As the mask activates the serum will penetrate the skin for a more powerful treatment
Origani product solution: Anti-ageing: Immortajell Wrinkle Diffusing Mask. For a more intense age-restorative treatment, 24k Gold Mask Collection
Detoxifying and Purifying Masks
Relative skin conditions: Oily and congested skin with breakouts and enlarged pores
Results: Clearer, calmer (less inflamed and red) and more balanced skin with fewer breakouts due the masks’ detoxing action
Key Ingredients to look out for: Kaolin clay, Chamomile, Peppermint and/or Tea Tree oils
Top tip: Use the mask intermittently as a spot treatment when the odd pimple arises. Also, clay masks are mostly beneficial targeting only the oiler area of the face (i.e. t-zone)
Origani product solution: Dermassure Clear & Calm Pore Refining Mask (Certified Organic)
Exfoliating and Brightening Masks
Relative skin conditions: Dull, lack-lustre skin, pigmentation/sun damage, scarring and rough texture
Results: A clearer, more radiant complexion with more even skin colouring and smooth texture
Key Ingredients to look out for: Bentonite clay, AHA’s, Licorice, Green Tea
Top tip: Exfoliate your skin the day before applying the mask. This way, your skin will be calm and settled and perfectly prepped for good product absorption
Origani product solution: Erda Pigmentation Correction Green Apple Clay Mask
Here’s the best piece of advice though: multi-masking is one of the best and most efficient ways to perfectly balance your complexion. Our skin often presents with some unequal issues, or localised concerns that need addressing. A couple of different masks worn at the same time in different facial zones is the trick to rebooting the skin’s equilibrium.
A very common example of this is when a dehydrated skin may also be showing signs of congestion in the t-zone: cheeks need moisture, t-zone needs purifying. Double it up I say! Enjoy your mask time and remember that your skin changes according to the seasons, to various lifestyle choices and how well you are looking after yourself. Be sure to reassess your skin quarterly to give it what it needs to be its very best.
Happy masking!
Origani is an Australian luxury organic skincare brand. We proudly formulate and produce cruelty-free, certified organic, vegan skincare and makeup.
