Types of Face Masks

2020 was all about skincare for me (well that and dealing with the pandemic at the hospital but lets forget about that). If you saw my previous posts on my skincare routine you will know I have been trying out new products and creating my go to skincare routine.

In addition to my daily skincare at least once a week I like to use a face mask. The purpose of a face mask is to target specific skin care concerns. They can help hydrate the skin, remove excess oils and help improve the appearance of pores.

While researching types of masks are out there and what I should use I found it hard to find a good list of the types of masks and their purpose. Also try googling face masks these days….

There are so many masks out there and it can be overwhelming to know what to try! I thought I would give a run down on the broad categories of skincare masks and what they can help to target. This is just a guideline and there are masks which can fall in to more than one category.

Hydrating Mask

• Great for dry and dehydrated skin

• Can be a cream or gel formula

• Helps skin hold onto moisture longer. Plumps fine lines and wrinkles

• These can also be used as an overnight mask.

• Can be used up to three times a week

• Example

  • SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Masque

  • Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Mask

  • La Mer The lifting and firming mask

Clay Mask

• Great for oily and congested skin

• If your skin is inflamed, look for a clay mask that also has clarifying enzymes and/or sulfur to treat breakouts and soothe redness.

• Clay masks can be hard to remove and leave behind a residue. If thats the case don’t forcibly rub your skin to remove it. Instead use a warm wet washcloth and let it sit on your skin for a minute or so. The warmth and steam will loosen the product making removal easier.

• Able to absorb toxins and remove them from your skin clay masks are great for acne-prone skin. They can be drying, however, so do your homework if you have dry skin.

• Can be used up to twice and week. Once a week a clay mask could be used as a cleaner.

• Example

  • GLAMGLOW Supermud charcoal instant clearing treatment mask (clay and charcoal)

Mud Mask

• Clay and mud masks are similar however they have slightly different benefit. The main difference is that mud is a skin-healing agent while clay is a drying agent.

• Great for all skin types.

• Great for acne prone skin.

• Helps to draw out impurities and excess oils.

• Can be used up to twice a week

• Example

  • Omorovicza Ultramoor Mud Mask

  • GLAMGLOW Youthmud Glow stimulating and exfoliating treatment mask

Gel Mask

• Great for all skin types

• Helps to calm post procedure skin. Provides a cooling effect.

• Plumps and brightens the skin making the skin glowy and dewy

• Can be used up to three times a week

• Example

  • SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Masque

  • Peter Thomas Roth Blue marine algae intense hydrating mask

Exfoliating Mask

• Great for dull and textured skin. Also works well for acne prone skin.

• Can be a chemical or a physical exfoliant or a combination of the two.

• Can fade acne scars over time and reduce hyperpigmentation

• Chemical exfoliants include hydroxy acids (like glycolic and lactic acids) and fruit enzymes (typically from papaya and pineapple).

• Exfoliating masks can be drying so remember to load up on moisture afterward

• An exfoliating mask, given that it removes dead skin cells, puts skin in the best possible position to absorb treatments and moisture.

• Can be used once to twice a week

• Example:

  • Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial 

Sheet Mask

• Great for all skin types. Especially good for dry and dehydrated skin.

• Provides immediate hydration and helps the skin retain moisture longer.

• Smooths fine lines and makes the skin look glowy.

• Can be used up to three times a week.

• Depending on the sheet mask you are using you can skip the rinsing and seal in the effects of the mask with your favorite moisturizer, which you should apply immediately after use.

• Example:

  • Erno Laszlo Firmarine hydrogel mask

Peel off Mask

• Great for textured or acne prone skin.

• There is mild exfoliation when peeling off the mask since the outermost layer of skin is removed.

• Over time can smooth out fine lines, refine pores and even out pigmentation

• Can be used up to twice a week.

• Example

  • Boscia Luminizing black charcoal mask

I hope this was somewhat useful! I will do reviews on individual masks as I try them.

Photos: Paige Owen