Take a Mask-Cation

Sometimes we all just need time to relax and clear our minds. You are not the only one that feels this way; your skin does too! So why not give your skin the mask-cation it deserves! The best TLC is to drink water, sleep and use kick ass skincare!

Face masks are the perfect skincare treatment to help with your concerns and are a great way to add the extra ingredients skin desperately needs. You can literally have a walk-in closet of masks: under-eye patches, lip masks, face masks, butt masks — then there is firming, hydrating, brightening, lifting, deep cleansing, peel off, sheet, clay, overnight — so many options for targeted purposes.

With the new CDC requirement to wear cloth face coverings , it has never been more important to cleanse and moisturize your skin. Protecting your face with a cloth face mask creates a hot and moist environment for your skin, and builds up sweat and oils. Now, it is critical to utilize all of these types of beauty masks and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

The choices are endless. I couldn’t even begin to try all of this skincare, but I have rounded up my personal favorites and some highly recommended ones from girlfriends. My personal favorites are marked with pink stars.

I have learned with all of these mask choices, skincare routines are all about balance. My mask skincare routine consists of Herbivore Resurfacing Mask, Aztec Secret Indian Clay, GravityMud, Origins Charcoal and Ebanel Sheet Mask. A combination of acne/resurfacing masks that tend to be drying, with my hyaluronic sheet masks, leaves my skin feeling hydrated.

General Guidelines:

• Always cleanse first.
• Apply masks before the rest of your skincare routine.
• If it is an overnight mask, make it your last step.
• Always apply moisturizer after mask removal.
• If using a harsher mask, apply face oil and then moisturizer. The best face oil is True Botanical (any pure oil works!, there are a lot of pure oils on Amazon)

Herbivore Blue Tansy: This clean gel mask features blue tansy oil. It is vegan, no silicone with BHAs and AHAs. Blue Tansy Invisible Pores Resurfacing Clarity Mask is excellent at resurfacing inflammation from acne and enlarged pores. It tingles slightly when applied, but that is how you know it is working! I have sensitive skin so I leave it on for 10 minutes; you can leave the mask on up to 20 minutes.

Peach & Lily Reboot: This clean gel mask retexturizes clogged skin and fine lines. It is a vegan product with potent BHAs and AHAs , plus blue agave. This mask has a powerful proprietary formula but reveals great results. Leave on for 20 minutes. Top with an antioxidant face oil.

Drunk Elephant Babyfacial: This clean lightweight mask retexturizes skin. Drunk Elephant products come in recyclable packaging and the TLC Sukari Babyfacial is more than double the potency of BHAs and AHAs in Peach & Lily’s Resurfacing Mask. Leave on for 20 minutes. Top with an antioxidant face oil.

Both of these products deliver similar results, it just depends on your skins resilience. If you are a beginner with these products, I recommend starting with the resurfacing mask from Peach & Lily and build up your skins tolerance for Drunk Elephant.

GlamGlow Supermud: This activated charcoal mask instantly clears pores. It has the super six exfoliating acids and a gritty texture to really clear problem skin. The mask goes on dark gray and as it begins to dry, it turns a lighter shade of gray. Leave mask on until it hardens. For sensitive skin, this mask may have a tingle/burn sensation upon application.

Origins Charcoal: This clean activated charcoal mask helps to deep clean pores and remove excess oils. For best results, open pores by laying a warm washcloth on your face before mask application. It has a similar effect as the Biore Charcoal Self Heating Mask, which is an amazing drug store alternative! Leave on for 10 minutes.

Origins Rose Clay: This clean rose clay mask purifies and brightens skin. The clay gently exfoliates to refine skins texture. It works tremendously, even for the most sensitive skin. Leave on for 10 minutes, then with wet fingertips massage mask into skin to maximize exfoliation.

CT Goddess: This nutrient rich clay mask hydrates, repairs and purifies skin. Charlotte Tilbury’s Goddess Skin Clay Mask is good for all skin types, leaving you with flowing baby soft skin. Charlotte Tilbury is the queen of natural glow! Leave on for 10 minutes.

Summer Fridays: Both the Jetlag and Overtime masks, are ultra hydrating creams that upgrade your skin with one use. Summer Friday products renew and soothe thirsty skin of all kinds. Jetlag is better for hydration and Overtime is better for exfoliation; both masks result in the softest skin. These masks can be used overnight or leave on for 10 minutes and blot with a warm cloth, mot rinse off.

Aztec Indian Healing Clay: This Indian healing clay mask is the only drugstore mask I think deserves a standing ovation. This powdered mask has a low pricetag with high results! Aztec Secret is jarred powdered and needs to be mixed with water. I do 1 scoop of powder with 1 scoop of water. If you want to really do a deep pore cleanse, mix 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar with 1 tablespoon water to the powder. Leave on until mask hardens, usually 30 minutes. I use this mask sparingly, 1-2X a month. Alternate a less harsh clay mask in between Aztec Secret use.

Peel off Masks

GlamGlow Gravitymud and Boscia Black Mask: These masks are my favorite peel off options. Both reveal brighter skin, but Boscia is more detoxifying and clarifying while Gravitymud is firming. Leave on for 20-30 minutes or until mask is no longer tacky. Gently peel off from outer edges and rinse off any residue. I use these once a month.

I use silicone face brushes to apply peel on masks. These applicators save wasted product and allow the masks to go on more evenly. Most beauty retailers sell the silicone brushes.

Sheet Masks

Ebanel, Neutrogena, and Saturday Skin: These are my top sheet mask choices. All three leave skin super hydrated and smooth to the touch. Ebanel has been my bargain gold mine.

Watermelon Glow, Drunk Elephant F-Balm, and Laneige Water: I have oily skin, so I do not personally use overnight masks, however, my girlfriends absolutely rave about these three (and I am a big fan all three brands!) The Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Mask, Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial and Laneige Water Sleeping Mask will recharge dehydrated skin while you sleep, leaving you glowing by morning. Overnight masks like these are also a lifesaver if you have a sunburn!