Have you been over-masking your face?
| Updated: May 6, 2020, 14:40 IST
A face mask is all things beneficial for your skin and everyone knows that. In fact, they're amongst the best things you can apply to your face to help give your skin the nourishment it needs. However, just like everything else in life, the key to masking lies in moderation. It is possible for you to end up over masking your face. But what is over masking, you ask?
Over masking basically refers to applying a mask to your face too often. "Too much masking can result in skin barrier disruption, resulting in inflammation and irritation." So, experts suggest that the very first thing you do is to look at the ingredients of the mask rather than looking at the type of mask. Opt for ingredients that are more soothing and nourishing on your skin since these can be used more frequently than the others.
"If a mask has active ingredients designed to exfoliate (like salicylic acid) or has drying ingredients (like clay) and it's used too often, it can result in dry, irritated skin," says an expert. "If you have particularly oily skin, then you may be able to tolerate these masks more often, but if you have dry or sensitive skin, then it may be best to avoid these types of masks altogether."
To avoid over masking you must know how often you can use the masks with certain ingredients. While moisturising masks can be used a few times a week, those with other ingredients like retinol or AHAs must not be used more than once a week. And you must be extra cautious with multi-masking and only treat the areas that need treating.
You also need to know what the benefits of certain ingredients are so that they can be used accordingly - Fruit enzymes: gentle exfoliation for smoothing and brightening, Clay: for detoxifying, Anti-inflammatory ingredients: to help soothe skin and decrease redness, Hyaluronic acid or glycerin: for hydration, Salicylic acid: for oily and acne-prone skin, Antioxidants: for anti-ageing, protective benefits.
Stay tuned for more updates.
Over masking basically refers to applying a mask to your face too often. "Too much masking can result in skin barrier disruption, resulting in inflammation and irritation." So, experts suggest that the very first thing you do is to look at the ingredients of the mask rather than looking at the type of mask. Opt for ingredients that are more soothing and nourishing on your skin since these can be used more frequently than the others.
"If a mask has active ingredients designed to exfoliate (like salicylic acid) or has drying ingredients (like clay) and it's used too often, it can result in dry, irritated skin," says an expert. "If you have particularly oily skin, then you may be able to tolerate these masks more often, but if you have dry or sensitive skin, then it may be best to avoid these types of masks altogether."
To avoid over masking you must know how often you can use the masks with certain ingredients. While moisturising masks can be used a few times a week, those with other ingredients like retinol or AHAs must not be used more than once a week. And you must be extra cautious with multi-masking and only treat the areas that need treating.
You also need to know what the benefits of certain ingredients are so that they can be used accordingly - Fruit enzymes: gentle exfoliation for smoothing and brightening, Clay: for detoxifying, Anti-inflammatory ingredients: to help soothe skin and decrease redness, Hyaluronic acid or glycerin: for hydration, Salicylic acid: for oily and acne-prone skin, Antioxidants: for anti-ageing, protective benefits.
Stay tuned for more updates.