Facial Masks

A facial mask is used to unclog the pores and cleanse the skin of all impurities on the surface of the skin. It also replaces the lost moisture and soothes the skin. Facial masks are one of the oldest known beauty treatments. The ancient Egyptians used mud and clay to remove dead skin cells and heal blemishes. Seventeenth century European women experimented with milk and egg masks. Fresh foods, flowers, and herbs continue to be used to cleanse and nourish the skin as a part of ones skincare regime.

Why should you use a face mask? All face masks come with a cleansing benefit. The regular use of face masks gives the skin a young and radiant look. Facial masks also help to remove dirt, sebum, and dead skin so that the skin looks clean, soft and youthful. Home made natural face masks undoubtedly prove more beneficial than manufactured ones, which contain chemicals and preservatives.

How do you apply a mask and what are the different types of facial mask? Masks are mostly in powder form and on adding water a paste of thick consistency is formed which is applied evenly onto the surface of the skin. Clay forms an important constituent of many facial masks. The other popular forms of facial masks include: fuller's earth, orange face masks, cream masks and gel masks.

1. Clay masks are spread on the skin surface. They absorb excess oil and dust particles while they dry. They tighten the skin and help to stimulate blood circulation.

2. A gel mask or a peel off mask however is spread on a clean skin and allowed to dry. They are available in lotion form and dries fast as you spread it on the surface of your skin and in about 10-20 minutes, you can roll it off like a second skin. These masks are peeled off starting from the chin and lifted upwards. These masks thus lift out dead cells and even facial hairs and blackheads. These are useful for all types of skins from normal to dry as well as combination skins.

3. The cream facial masks on the other hand have the consistency of thick cream and feed the skin cells and bring a youthful look to your skin. They are not useful for young and greasy skins, because they have plenty of oils in them.

How to choose a facial mask? Various ingredients can be used in the masks, depending on the skin type. It is important to choose the mask that will best suit your skin type. The ingredients that form the mask also decide how often you should use them as part of your skincare regime.

What are the key ingredients of a facial mask?

1. Fuller’s earth is a special type of clay often used in face packs. It contains aluminium silicate. As it dries on the skin, it absorbs the superficial dead cells and blots up any excessive oil on the skin. It is therefore excellent for an oily skin but should not be used on dry skin.

2. Kaolin is also fine clay that has been used for tummy upsets because it absorbs toxins from the system. It also removes grime, oils and dead cells. Kaolin is also best for oily skin and best avoided for dry skin.

3. Another ingredient of some of the masks is the peeling or the exfoliating agent. These remove the top layer of dead cells from the skin, leaving behind fresh youthful skin. Oatmeal and bran are the commonly used peelers. Oatmeal is obtained from oats, which is rich in Vitamin B and Vitamin E.

4. Many home made masks include natural ingredients like cucumbers, curds, lemon juice and Brewer's Yeast. These help restore the acid / alkali balance of the skin.