When was the last time you applied a face mask?

It turns out they’re more than just the standard uniform for a girly sleepover or a requirement for bored, rich women taking naps. You know the type; cucumbers on the eyes, towel on the head…we’ve all seen Desperate Housewives.

All joking aside, facial masks are actually a very important part of your skincare regime, and when used regularly, encourage bright, lustrous skin. In addition to this they can also prove very useful in treating skin disorders. Sounds good, yes?

At the most basic level, face masks work to moisturise and provide deep cleansing to the skin, helping to get rid of trapped dirt and oily build up that your normal cleanser and exfoliant may not reach. The result of this is the prevention of blemishes and congestion, leading to clearer more healthy looking skin. The fun doesn’t stop there though; many face masks also help shed the top layer of dead skin. With the removal of these dull, dead skin cells, your complexion will not only look bright and radiant, but more youthful too. Yes that’s right: a good face mask will even reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Obviously it is important to choose a mask that will work for your personal skin needs. For your ease, here are a few Facial Company favorites:

Skinstitut Hydrating Mask
This nourishing mask is ideal for those of you with dry or sensitive skin, as it hydrates, repairs and provides relief to irritated areas. It contains a blend of antioxidants, plant extracts and vitamins to protect against free radical damage and reinforce stressed skin. In effect, it protects, repairs and soothes. This one strikes me as a bit of winner.

Payot Masque Purifiant
Now this one here is ideal for combination/oily complexions, as the purifying white clay and ultra-absorbent mineral salts really get in there to eliminate impurities and tighten the pores. You need look no further for a clearer, more purified complexion; this little gem here will catch impurities before they form, effectively eliminating blemishes.

Dermalogica UltraCalming Relief Masque
This specially formulated mask is ideal for sensitive skin types; if you suffer from inflammation, redness or rosacea, this is for you. The calming actives and botanical extracts provide calming relief that is almost instantaneous, working with your skin to get rid of redness and prevent future inflammatory flare ups. Benefits aside, the mask itself is so refreshing you can actually feel it working.

Now besides the physical benefits a face mask can have on your skin, we must also consider the relaxing effect the application process can have. Think about it: you’ve lit some candles, put on some music, maybe poured yourself a cool beverage. The mask itself is cool and pleasant smelling as it’s massaged into your skin…
Obviously you could just apply it in the bathroom mirror after cleansing, but I’m trying to create a mood here.

Some things to remember when applying a mask:

+ Apply to freshly cleansed skin that has been rinsed with warm water; this will open your pores and allow the mask to really work on your epidermis (that’s the outer layer of skin).

+ Massage the mask into the skin using a gentle, circular motion.

+ After the required waiting time (always check the directions), rinse the mask using cool water to help close up your pores.

+ For the best effect, use a face mask once a week.

Browse facial masks or try out The Facial Company's free online skin analysis to search for the best mask for your skin type!