Skincare 301: Masks & Treatments

Congratulations, you are now ready for the final level of skincare know how. You, my skincare junkie, are ready to add in masks and weekly treatments. This will be the most fun and fancy feeling part of your skincare routine. Let's get started!

MASKS

Do you need them? Do they work? Why do you want them then?

Truth, time friends, these are luxury items in your skincare routine. Unless you have really bad acne, you probably don't need to use a weekly mask unless guided by a dermatologist. Do I use one a week? Yes. Do I use more than one a week? Yes! Confused? Let's dig deeper.

WHAT KIND OF MASK

Masks are great for a few things. Helping clear out skin with ingredients like mud and charcoal, and exfoliating with ingredients like acids. The vinoperfect Glycolic Mask from Caudalie is amazing at adding an extra level of exfoliation to my face once or twice a week. I can see and feel a difference when I'm regular with this.

The Charlotte Tilbury goddess mask is my other go to. It does a couple of different things. It is a clay mask so it purifies the skin, but it doesn't dry out my skin like other clay masks. I have dry dehydrated skin so I don't want anything that is going to zap my moisture level. However sometimes I want a mask to purify my skin, this is when I reach for Charlotte Tilbury. Her mask also resurfaces the skin, so once you take it off your skin is baby soft.

EYE MASKS

These babies get their own category. There are two that I think are amazing. Shiseido eye mask with retinol, and Pixi eye patches (any kind). These work wonders when you need some depuffing or extra love around the eye area. Anything with caffeine or retinol are wonderful.

SHEET MASKS

Most of these I wouldn't spend your money on. Always invest in a good serum that you use everyday before spending the big bucks for a sheet mask you will use 3x's and toss. Don't waste your time with $5 sheet masks, they really aren't doing anything for you. If it's a special occasion, I would go with Shiseido or Charlotte Tilbury. I don't think you can beat their sheet masks, but they are on the pricey side.

WHEN AND WHERE DO I USE IT?

I love using mine in the shower when I'm doing a mask on my hair...I know. Most facial masks will only require 5-10 minutes before being washed off. I also find that the steam helps my pores open up and receive the mask without drying out. I would do the same if you were doing the Kate Somerville masks for acne (I've heard they are amazing).

WEEKLY TREATMENTS

What are these? These are treatments you do for your skin once or twice a week. It could be a special tool or maybe going in to see an esthetician (a girl can dream). Some masks even say to do them once a week instead of more often because of the level of active ingredients. Always read your instructions on the box. Remember, the company who made the product wants it to work the best for you, so they are going to tell you how to best apply and use their product.

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With all this skincare knowledge I have full faith that you will head into fall and winter with better product choices and purchases. Please let me know how you get on, and if you have any questions. Thank you for reading, and I will be back soon for a book talk on the modern artist Yayoi Kusama.