8 Best Face Masks

Why should you use a face mask?

According to the Journal of Dermatology and Nursing, acne and skin concerns are caused by the foods you eat, pollution in the air, and unclean skin. But, there are things you can do to keep your skin looking its best. So what can you do? For one thing, you should be using a face mask weekly.

Washing your face with a good facial cleanser only removes the dirt and oils on the surface of your skin. Face masks provide deeper cleansing by removing impurities beneath the top layers of your skin. Face masks will unclog your pores and keep your skin feeling smooth.

With so many face mask options out there, you can choose one that really targets your skin concern.

Depending on the type of face mask you choose, they can hydrate your skin, tighten pores, and/or remove excess oils that can cause acne.

Face masks leave your skin feeling tightened and refreshed immediately after you use one. It’s actually impressive.

As a bonus, face masks are pretty therapeutic. Who doesn’t want to feel pampered like you’re at the spa?

It’s a good way to take care of you and have much deserved “me” time. Light some candles, put on a face mask, and take a bath. You’ll never feel more relaxed. Face masks are a total game changer and everyone should use them, both women and men.

How do face masks help your skin?

Face masks can be made out of clay, charcoal, gel or cream. So, the one you choose, can help your skin in different ways. Clay masks help draw oil and dirt to the surface of the skin.

They contain clay, kaolin or bentonite for their tightening and oil-absorbing effects.

Charcoal masks are designed to make pores smaller and less visible by drawing out impurities from the skin caused by the pollutants of daily life, like makeup and dirt.

While cream masks or gel masks are formulated to hydrate and nourish the skin.

How many times per week should I wear a face mask?

While there isn’t an exact, right answer to this question, many skin care experts suggest using a face mask at least once or twice a week. Any more than that and it could really dry your skin out or even worse, irritate it.

The amount of times you use a face mask completely depends on your skin type and the ingredients in the face mask.

An all natural face mask made of gentle ingredients could be used more than twice in a week. The same goes for a mask that is hydrating.

If you’re using a mask that has an acne treatment or is detoxifying, it generally means it has harsher ingredients that shouldn’t be used on your skin more than once a week.

It also depends on your skin type. Those with more sensitive skin should use a face mask (at max), once a week. If you use it more frequently, you may start to notice redness or irritation on your skin.

You may also find that your skin becomes very dry if you’re using a clay or charcoal mask too often.

Do you put a face mask on before or after you wash your face?

Always, after. Before you apply your face mask, be sure to remove any makeup using a makeup remover. Next, you want to cleanse your skin thoroughly using a good face cleanser. Using warm water and facial cleanser remove any makeup, dirt, and oil left behind.

It’s also a good idea to exfoliate before applying your face mask, too. It removes the dead skin cells and helps your mask absorb better into your skin. Y

ou can either use a store-bought face scrub or you can simply mix a small amount of sugar into your face wash. We recommend using sugar, it works like a dream and is a lot more affordable.

Finally, you want to make sure to open your pores before applying your face mask. The easiest way to do this is to take a hot shower before.

Or, you can take a washcloth and dip it in hot water and cover your face with it until it cools off. This will make sure the skin-loving ingredients in the face mask get fully absorbed.

Do you put a face mask on before or after you shower?

That’s totally up to you; there is no right or wrong way to do it. Just make sure that if you apply your face mask before you shower, you have clean skin first.

We recommend putting your face mask on before you shower. The warm water from your shower will create steam, which will open up your pores.

This will soften your skin and let the good ingredients absorb more effectively. And, you won’t have to make a mess washing it off in your sink.

How long do you keep a face mask on?

Many think the longer you keep your face mask on, the better it works. But, not so much. This is especially true for clay and charcoal masks.

The ingredients in these masks can be drying if left on for too long. Typically, masks should be left on for 10 to 15 minutes. But, always read the directions just to be sure.

What is the best face mask?

The Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay is a 100% natural face mask that clears pimples and blackheads while tightening the skin. And, it’s seriously amazing.

For $10 you can get a 1lb jar. Plus, the 1lb jar of clay makes about 10-15 facials so it will last you quite a while. This face mask is made for all skin types but we found it perfect for women with oily and acne prone skin. And, men love it too.

The texture of this face mask really depends on how you make it, but it resembles a smooth, creamy paste. Aztec Secret recommends mixing clay with equal parts of raw apple cider vinegar and/or water while adding more clay or liquid as needed.

After washing this stuff off, your face will be red. This is supposed to happen. But not to worry, the redness will disappear in about 30 minutes.

Since there is no fragrance added to this face mask, the only thing you will smell is the clay (which smells like dirt). If you decide to mix it with the apple cider vinegar, it will smell like vinegar.

One main ingredient can be found in this best-selling face mask: 100% natural calcium bentonite clay. Did you know that clay has been used for over 4,000 years as face masks?

Even Cleopatra used clay from the Nile River. This specific clay is from Death Valley, California, where it is sun-dried for up to six months in temperatures that reach up to 134 degrees.

As a bonus, you wont find any chemicals, parabens, dyes, sulfates, or fragrances in this face mask either. And, it isn’t tested on animals.

What are the benefits of using a clay face mask?

The use of clay for healing the skin goes back throughout ancient history. According to the US National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health, natural clays have been used to heal skin infections since the earliest recorded history.

Today, with the exposure to a wide range of toxins, stress and environmental pollutants, it is obvious why so many suffer from skin issues. Most of them come down to inflammation, bacterial infections, and toxicity. Each of these concerns can be healed with clay.

What makes clay stand out is its impressive ability to pull out toxicity. Certain clays, especially bentonite clay can attract to heavy metals like mercury, cadmium, lead and benzene and other environmental pollutants and remove them from your skin.

Any chemical you can think of can be removed from the body with the use of clay. Clay not only pulls toxins out of the skin’s pores but also hydrogen, which allows more room for oxygen. In addition, clay pulls out oil, dirt, and bacteria with it.

After using a clay mask, your skin will feel clean, oxygenated, and less inflamed. As a bonus, your pores will be unclogged and less visible.

The thing we love the most about a clay face mask? It’s completely natural. Most skin care products and face masks contain very harsh ingredients. Clay masks are a completely natural way to detoxify, cleanse, exfoliate and take care of your skin without anything harmful.

How does a charcoal face mask work?

Although charcoal might seem like it only belongs on the grill, it actually has major benefits. The US National Library of Medicine explains that poisoned patients were first treated with charcoal more than 150 years ago. It’s been used in hospital emergency rooms to treat poisoning and drug overdoses.

It works by attaching to toxins and absorbing them before the bloodstream can. The theory behind charcoal face masks is the same: It’ll act like a magnet to attract and absorb dirt and oil.

And lately, there’s even been a flood of beauty products that contain the naturally-derived ingredient. Jessica Wu, M.D., a Los Angeles dermatologist, says there aren’t any scientific studies on the effects of charcoal in skin-care products.

The idea is that the charcoal will bind to toxins, dirt, and oil and lift them out of the pores. While this may be true, the scientific evidence just hasn’t been done yet.

What is the best charcoal face mask?

The Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask is an ultra-purifying mask to deep clean and visibly reduce the size of pores.

This charcoal face mask is perfect for anyone with oily, dull, or uneven skin. It also works wonders on those with clogged pores.

The Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask is a lightweight cream that feels cool on the skin after applying. The consistency is smooth and glides over your skin with ease. Of course, as it dries it will harden and become tight like all charcoal masks do.

This product has no added fragrance so any scent you may smell is completely natural from the ingredients. Charcoal, created from Bamboo Ash, has been praised for its purifying properties dating back to the Ming Dynasty in 1486.

The bamboo charcoal in this mask acts like a magnet to draw out makeup and dirt found deep inside your pores. The White China clay absorbs environmental toxins, and lecithin dissolves impurities.

We also love that this mask is formulated without any parabens, sulfates, or phthalates.

What is the best face mask for acne?

GLAMGLOW SUPERMUD Clearing Treatment is an oil-fighting face mask that refreshes and cleanses acne-prone skin. It will clear and prevent unwanted skin breakouts. It can be used as a full mask or acne spot treatment.

The Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment works wonders on acne-prone skin. The potent mud formula controls the skin’s oil, while a proprietary blend of six acids works to brighten and soften your skin. Activated-X charcoal lifts away dirt and other skin congestions, resulting in clearer skin.

The consistency of this face mask is somewhat thick compared to others. However, the cream goes on smoothly and spreads easily. Due to the added fragrance and peppermint oil, the Glamglow mud has a refreshing mint smell that you’ll love.

What are some good homemade face masks?

Homemade face masks can be just as good as expensive brand-name ones. And, you don’t have to leave your house to use one.

Dont believe us? Try one for yourself. The best homemade face mask recipes have good-for-you ingredients like avocado, banana, honey, oatmeal, and yogurt.

These ingredients are ideal for hydrating, while ingredients such as egg whites are known to tighten pores.

The good news is, we scoured the web for the best face mask recipes that you can make at home. Our favorite is the Hydrating Avocado Mask. You can check out the rest of them here.