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How Do I Choose the Best Facial Mask?

T. Alaine
T. Alaine

Choosing the best facial mask depends on knowing your skin type and your unique skin needs. Dry skin will benefit the most from a moisturizing facial mask, oily skin needs a clarify mask to absorb oils and close pores, and brightening or pore refining masks will best suit aging or dull skin. The best facial mask for any skin type can be generally purchased at drugstores or beauty supply stores or made at home from natural ingredients, depending on your personal preference.

If you have dry skin, your best facial mask will emphasize moisturizing and hydrating ingredients. When purchasing a hydrating facial mask for dry skin, look for ingredients such as vitamin E; natural oils such as olive, jojoba, or tea tree oil; aloe; or natural butters such as shea butter or cocoa butter. To make a hydrating facial mask at home you can often find natural oils in health food stores or apothecaries, but you can also turn to easily accessible ingredients such as honey, cucumber, yogurt, or milk. A moisturizing face mask is usually of a creamy or gel-like consistency and might not harden before removal like clay or egg white masks.

Someone with dry skin should use a hydrating facial mask.
Someone with dry skin should use a hydrating facial mask.

The best facial mask for oily skin will typically be made from natural clay or mud that will deeply cleanse and draw out impurities in the skin. Clay and mud masks have astringent properties that help them reach deep into pores and pull out dirt, makeup, oil, or any other irritants trapped inside that can lead to breakouts. Additionally, clay and mud masks help absorb excess oil, which leaves your skin shine-free. While clay masks can be made at home, you might find the ingredients more difficult to come by and opt instead for a pre-made version. If you want to make a pore-tightening facial mask for oily skin at home, however, you can instead whip an egg white to a foamy consistency.

Aloe gel has a calming effect on the skin.
Aloe gel has a calming effect on the skin.

If your skin is dull or aging, you will want to brighten your complexion by choosing a facial mask packed with antioxidants and, most likely, some moisturizers. Some people with aging skin still find their complexions oily, but many people find that they require extra hydration as their skin becomes less supple with age. Anti-aging masks can be found in creams or gels, but they can also come in the form of a cloth sheets soaked in vitamin and mineral oils or extracts that are laid over the face and pressed onto the skin. These are a good choice if you are in a hurry or do not want to deal with the mess of other masks. The best facial mask for brightening and anti-aging that you can make at home can be made with caffeinated teas, especially green tea, which contain plentiful antioxidants.

Discussion Comments

discographer

I like peel off masks. It's great for exfoliating the skin. It removes all of those skin flakes and dead skin cells. My face literally looks brighter after I use one. I think it works for all skin types too. Of course, it's a good idea to follow up with a mild moisturizer after using one.

literally45

@ysmina-- There is an incorrect assumption among people that those with oily or combination skin do not need hydration. That's not true. Skin can be oily but dehydrated at the same time. The lack of moisture could be triggering the skin to produce so much oil.

I recommend to you facial masks with hydrating ingredients but without oil. You don't want to use anything with oil because the oil will clog your pores and cause breakouts. Try gel type facial masks. For example, aloe vera gel is very hydrating but it doesn't have oil. So it will return water to your skin without clogging pores. You can even make your own face mask. There are dry paper face masks on sale online and at beauty stores. You can apply pure aloe vera gel on your face and place the paper mask on top to keep it from drying. Leaving it on your face for an hour will do wonders.

Honey is another great, moisturizing ingredient that doesn't clog pores. In fact, it has anti-inflammatory properties so it will actually help with acne. Your skin will feel super soft afterward.

ysmina

I'm confused about facial masks. I have oily skin, but when I use a skin mask used for oily skin such as a clay mask, my skin becomes too dry. After I remove the mask, my face feels tight, itchy and uncomfortable.

If I use a mask for oily skin, then my face becomes too oily and breaks out. Does this mean I shouldn't use a facial mask?

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    • Someone with dry skin should use a hydrating facial mask.
      By: anna karwowska
      Someone with dry skin should use a hydrating facial mask.
    • Aloe gel has a calming effect on the skin.
      By: sassyphotos
      Aloe gel has a calming effect on the skin.
    • Choose a facial mask with antioxidants for lighter, brighter skin.
      By: bertys30
      Choose a facial mask with antioxidants for lighter, brighter skin.