After a long day, all you want to do is crawl into bed. But it’s important to set aside time for some self-care. An easy place to start: skin care. Your skin can take a beating from being exposed to pollution and the elements on the daily, plus it can suffer from dullness or acne as a result of late nights and unhealthy eating.
First things first, get the basics down pat: Cleanse, tone, and moisturize. Then give your skin some TLC with a face mask. There’s a mask for every task, depending on your specific skin concerns. Read on to learn more about some of the best face masks for your skin. These five are currently some of the most popular:
1 Clay mask. Clay masks are applied to the face, left on for several minutes, and then rinsed off. They come in different colors, depending on their mineral content. Two of the more popular types are bentonite and kaolin.
These pore-tightening masks are best for those with oily, acne-prone skin: Pimples are formed when excess sebum (oil) blocks and irritates pores, and clay masks help draw out the excess oil and other impurities, thus preventing acne. It might take time for your skin to adjust so don’t expect your pimple problems to resolve overnight. Also, make sure to follow the instructions and don’t leave a clay mask on for too long as this can strip your skin of its natural oils and further irritate it.
One clay mask to try: Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay, a bestseller from Healthy Options. This cult favorite is 100% made of natural calcium bentonite clay and does not contain any additives or fragrances. It’s one of the top Amazon face masks, with over 16,000 reviews and a 71% 5-star rating.
2 Sheet mask. If the thought of cleaning up after masking is making you even more tired, then the sheet mask is the one for you. This Korean beauty staple is made of paper or fiber soaked in serum and comes in individual packages. There are holes for the eyes, nose, and mouth, so all you have to do is place it on your face, wait for the recommended time, then throw the sheet away when time’s up, no rinsing required. You can even massage the serum residue you’re your neck and décolletage for a hydration boost.
Use it right before bed to wake up with ultra-moisturized skin or right before an event to get that dewy appearance. Remember not to rinse after you’ve removed the mask to make the most out of the ingredients and don’t leave on for longer than specified.
3 Hydrogel mask. Gel masks are similar to sheet masks except they use gels, often bio-cellulose, instead of paper. They have all the hydration benefits of sheet masks plus offer a cooling sensation. They may be a little trickier to use than no-nonsense sheet masks but the cooling, moisturizing benefits more than make up for it!
4 Exfoliating mask. Every now and then, our skin needs a bit of help to slough off the layers that make it appear dull and lifeless. Exfoliating masks can help get rid of pore-clogging dead skin cells resulting in a natural glow. If your skin is feeling weighed down or if you have uneven skin tone, then you’ll benefit from an exfoliating mask’s brightening effects.
5 Chlorophyll mask. The latest buzz in the beauty world? Chlorophyll! One of the best natural face masks, it does for your skin what green juices or smoothies do for your insides—make you feel super clean and healthy. Try Cocokind Chlorophyll Mask, an organic face mask that’s so natural, you can even drink it! Available at Healthy Options, this highly rated face mask can be customized to your specific skin needs—try mixing it with other ingredients like water, facial oils, yogurt, or milk.
If the sheer number of face masks and types confuses you, simplify it by first thinking about your needs. Is your goal to clear acne? Get dewy skin? Brighten your complexion? From there, you can narrow down your choices. Part of the fun of skin care is trying out new things—you might just discover a new product that gives you the kind of skin you never even dreamed you could have.
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