Published: July 30, 2023
Many people view face masks as an indulgence. Sure, they may be fun to use and there’s no denying how soothing they can feel, but a 10-minute masking session isn’t going to make much of a difference when it comes to the look and feel of your skin, right?
Wrong. Face masks actually have so much to offer. Pick the right masks for your skin’s needs, add them to your regular weekly skincare routine, and you may finally be able to tackle all of those visible skin concerns that have been getting you down.
Still not convinced? Read on as Avinichi explains the various benefits that face masks can offer. We’ll also be discussing the different types of face masks out there, along with how to incorporate a mask into your skincare routine.
The Benefits of Using a Face Mask
So, why use a face mask? Here are just a few of the benefits that your skin could experience after adding a face mask to your routine:
Target Individual Skin Concerns
One of the biggest benefits that come from using a face mask is how these skincare products often boast targeted formulas that are designed to hone in on specific visible skin concerns. Just like the serums and the moisturizers that you use, face masks can help with a wide array of issues, so long as you choose the right product.
That said, face masks are loved for how they’re packed with a higher concentration of active ingredients than many other skincare products. This is why, unlike your serums and your creams, they shouldn’t be used daily. You’ll end up overloading your skin with actives, which could potentially lead to new skin concerns arising.
Results Can Often Be Seen Immediately
As mentioned, most face masks are loaded with powerful ingredients. Many of these need to be used regularly in order to take effect since their results are cumulative.
However, just about every face mask will also contain a selection of ingredients that are capable of instantly improving the complexion. Whether this may be humectants that immediately plump up the look of your skin or fast-acting ingredients that give your skin a glow, the fact that the skin tends to look better straight after using a face mask makes masking feel all the more satisfying!
Deeply Cleanse and Detoxify Your Complexion
While not all face masks cleanse and detoxify the complexion, many of them do. Sure, your cleanser and exfoliant will do this as well, but a face mask takes things a step further. Many masks are capable of drawing impurities out from even deeper than an exfoliant can reach, leaving the skin looking clearer, brighter, and infinitely more radiant.
Leave Your Skin (and Your Mind) Feeling Soothed and Relaxed
It doesn’t take much for the skin to start feeling stressed. Everything from UV rays to pollution to certain cosmetic ingredients can cause this, with the stress manifesting as an array of different skin concerns.
However, this is where face masks can come to the rescue once again. Just about every face mask out there will feel soothing and relaxing when applied to the skin. They’ll have a calming and balancing effect on your complexion, which will help to reduce the feeling of any inflammation or irritation.
As an added bonus, that soothing sensation that you feel can also work wonders for your mental health. Taking 10 minutes out of your busy daily schedule to pamper your skin with a face mask is a great way to enjoy some me-time.
The Different Types of Face Masks
Here’s where things get a little complicated…
There’s no denying the many benefits that face masks offer, but you’ll only experience these if you use a mask that’s suitable for your skin type and skin concerns.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular types of face masks out there:
Sheet Masks
Ideal for all skin types, sheet masks are what people most commonly associate with face masks. Usually made from a sheet of cotton or fiber, they’re shaped to fit over the face, with holes for the eyes and mouth.
Before being individually packaged, sheet masks are soaked in a potent serum. When applied to the face, this serum then transfers over onto the skin, with all of its ingredients soaking in. Unlike with a regular serum, the ‘sheet’ helps to push those ingredients deeper into the skin rather than allowing them to evaporate into the air.
Hydrogel Masks
Although hydrogel masks are similar in concept to sheet masks, they’re made from bio-cellulose or synthetic polymers. These materials not only give the mask a jelly-like texture, but they also happen to be capable of holding onto incredible amounts of moisture. As a result, hydrogel masks are extremely hydrating, which all skin types can benefit from.
At the same time, just like a regular sheet mask, hydrogel masks are also soaked in a powerful serum, meaning double the benefits for your skin. They’re intensely hydrating while also being capable of tackling the same visible skin concerns that a regular sheet mask can.
A good example of this would be the Avinichi Noni Advanced Hydro-Gel Face & Eye Mask. Aloe, glycerin, and collagen enhance the hydrating capabilities of the hydrogel while noni fruit extract, lavender oil, and Irish moss powder work to smooth, plump, and brighten the complexion.
In addition to being used on the face, some hydrogel masks are designed for other parts of the body too, just like the Avinichi Glo-Up Beautifying Neck & Chest Mask. Formulated for the delicate skin on the decolletage, this hydrogel mask is swimming in sodium hyaluronate and noni fruit extract to volumize and tighten the look of the skin.
Clay Masks
Clay masks are exactly what they sound like; face masks that have been made from clay. Why clay? Because this natural substance is famous for effectively drawing out impurities from within the pores while also absorbing excess oil on the skin’s surface. This is why it’s such a superstar at deeply cleansing and detoxifying the complexion.
Mix clay with other skin-loving ingredients and the magic really starts to happen. While the clay works to clear your skin of impurities, the other ingredients used in a clay mask are able to dive deep down, making them even more effective.
Some clay masks, such as the Avinichi Phyto Remedy Thermal Mask, take this detoxifying sensation to the next level. Not only does this face mask contain kaolin clay, which is renowned for its cleansing effects, but it also heats up as it’s massaged into the skin. The purpose of this is to leave the pores feeling relaxed. This makes it easier for impurities to be removed, as well as for the skin to absorb the other ingredients in the mask. From vitamins A, C, and E to reishi mushroom, coffee seed, and lemon extracts, these ingredients will have your skin looking fresher and so much more youthful.
Leave-on Masks
All of the face masks that we’ve featured so far are designed to remain on the skin for a limited amount of time. However, sometimes the skin can benefit from a longer masking session, particularly if it’s dry. Moisture that’s provided slowly over time would be more advantageous than a quick burst of hydration. This is where leave-on masks come in…
Just like the name suggests, these masks are designed to be left on the skin, usually overnight. Some need to be rinsed off in the morning but others, like Avinichi’s Liquid Lift Overnight Melting Mask, don’t, making them even more convenient to use.
Our leave-on mask is ideal for deeply hydrating and moisturizing the skin, making it well-suited for those struggling with a dry and dull complexion. With squalane, sodium hyaluronate, acetyl hexapeptide-8, and a long list of botanical extracts, this mask will also give your skin a smoother, firmer, and bouncier finish.
Using a Face Mask
If you’re new to face masks, then you’re probably wondering where a mask would fit into your skincare routine. Here’s the most beneficial order to follow:
Step 1: Cleanse
Before using a face mask, always make sure that you’ve cleansed your skin. Even if you plan on using a cleansing clay mask, it’s still important for the surface of your skin to be free of impurities. This way, the mask will be able to get to work in your pores, where it’s needed the most.
The Avinichi Noni Mousse Cleanser is the perfect formula to use before masking. Follow up with the Noni Pore Purifying Toner and your skin will feel perfectly prepped to receive all of the benefits that your mask is about to bestow on it.
Step 2: Exfoliate
Although not essential, exfoliating before using a face mask will help to make your masking session even more effective. By removing deeper seated impurities, the ingredients within your mask will have fewer obstacles to deal with when they’re working their way into your skin.
Don’t yet have a go-to exfoliant? Try Avinichi’s Noni Polishing Peel. Gentle yet thorough, it will leave your skin looking bright, clear, and radiant.
Step 3: Mask
Now that you’ve prepped your skin, it’s time to apply your face mask. The way in which you do so will depend on the mask that you’re using. However, always follow the usage directions closely – veering off course could result in your mask doing more harm than good.
Step 4: Moisturize
Once you’re done masking, seal in all of that goodness with a moisturizer. This will help to enhance the visible effects of your face mask while preventing all of the ingredients that your skin has just soaked up from evaporating back out into the air.
Avinichi’s Noni Morning Glow works well after a morning masking session, while the Noni Night Repair Cream is a great way to wind down after using a face mask in the evening.
Summary
As you can see, face masks have so much to offer. If you aren’t already regularly using a face mask, your skin is missing out! Fortunately, it’s never too late to add a face mask to your skincare routine. Start with one of the formulas featured above and watch your complexion start to really thrive!
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