Stop! Is that even the right face mask for your skin?

How to pick the right face mask based on your skin type

Although everyone can enjoy a proper skincare routine, it is still jarring for many. First, there are skin care products with ingredients that you struggle to pronounce. Then, by the time you find a routine that works, a new beauty trend emerges that you would be remiss to try. Even worse, sometimes you try a new skincare product and get a terrible reaction to it. Keeping up with beauty trends is nothing like keeping up with a Kardashian! That is why we try to break down the latest trends, classic skincare tips, and more with each of our posts. Somewhere out there, someone is still using bath soap to cleanse their face twice a day, and that is why we write! 

This March, the global pandemic turns one year old. It’s the kind of birthday party that you would hope to miss. Of the many changes that happened in this past year, wearing face masks was one of them. In our last post, we shared the different types of face masks, their benefits, and how often you should use them. Today, we will dive deeper and give you even more tips for selecting a face mask that works for your skin! As skinimalism trends, it’s important to buy skin products with the skincare ingredients your skin needs. Shall we start?

Remember, there are no perfect skincare products

There isn’t a perfect skincare routine. Detach yourself from perfectionism as you tend to your skin. There are many reasons we say this. 

• The skin does not remain the same your entire life. It goes through a series of changes as you age. These changes are inevitable but can be slowed down with an anti-aging skincare routine in your late 20s. 
• Many factors influence how your skin behaves. Some of these include genetics, age, diet, ethnicity, and lifestyle habits. It may surprise you how the little harmless things that you do can cause you to have stubborn skin issues. 
• Your body can be unpredictable. We can say the same thing about most things in life. This is why we say to detach yourself from perfectionism.

Learn everything that you can about your skin type and skin issues

Self-awareness is one of the keys to success. The same applies to how aware you are of your skin. As mentioned, Skinimalism stresses the latter. Knowing your skin type and skin issues can save you a lot of time, money, and disappointment. Here is an example: if you are prone to oily skin, using a sheet face mask may not be the best idea. Unless they specify that the product is for oily skin. Why? Most sheet face masks contain skincare ingredients that add more moisture to the skin. Since someone with oily skin isn’t short on hydration, you may see why this could be problematic. 

If you have acne-prone skin, you may enjoy a clay, sulfur, or mud mask more than you will from a sheet face mask. Most clay, sulfur, and mud masks remove excess dirt, debris, and oil from the skin. If you have acne-prone skin, there is a high chance that you have a build-up of those three things and thus would enjoy that kind of mask most. 

Now that we have the fundamentals of skincare sorted out, let’s focus on picking a face mask that works for you based on your skin type.

Normal skin

Oh, to have perfect skin! This is contrary to my advice on perfectionism, but people with perfect skin exist! They have the tiniest pores, no blemishes or scars, and supple, smooth skin. People with normal skin get few breakouts and can use most skincare products without side effects. Nothing that great comes without maintenance, though. You want to make sure that you protect your skin against free radicals that lead to common skin issues. That said, opt for a face mask with antioxidants. The antioxidants will be the frontline defense against free radicals that damage your skin cells.

Combination skin

This skin type is the most common type of skin. Someone with combination skin has an oily t-zone and casual acne breakouts. Combination skin can be great, but it needs a lot more work than normal skin does. Because oil build-up is an issue for combination skin, a clay, sulfur, or mud face mask is best suited for it. Be careful not to use face masks that contain alcohol, though, as this can dry out your skin. If your skin becomes too dry, the sebaceous (oil) glands overproduce oil. That leads to breakouts! Yes, it’s a catch 22. If you are hesitant, try to use a combination of the three types of face masks as you address your skin issues. The hope is that you won’t have to worry about acne all the time, so you can be free to use fewer drying face masks! Masktini’s Night Ranger Overnight Renewal Mask is the perfect face mask for your nighttime skincare routine.

Dry skin

Treating dry skin can be irritating! Your skin sucks up moisture and can never stay hydrated! Someone with this skin type may find utility in the 12-step Korean skincare routine. It is all about hydration, suppleness, and glowing skin. You can buy a pack of sheet face masks from places like Amazon or Soko Glam. Be sure to search for hydrating face masks, though! You will know a face mask works for dry skin if it contains hyaluronic acid! Lactic acid is another acid for dry skin because it smooths out rough skin texture. Vitamin E, oatmeal, and certain fruits are also ingredients you should want in your face masks. Not only do they hydrate your skin, but they seal-in moisture.

Oily skin

Like combination skin, you need a face mask that doesn’t add any unnecessary oils to your skin. Because oily skin overproduces oil, you may be able to use clay, sulfur, or mud face masks at least 1-2 times per week. Search for face masks that contain salicylic acid. This beta-hydroxy-acid kills acne-causing bacteria and removes excess oil from your skin. Whatever you do, don’t overuse clay/sulfur/mud masks! Although you have oily skin, you can still strip your skin of its natural oils when you overuse drying products. Take things slow and see how your skin responds to your consistent care.

As for sensitive skin, well, be careful! Most sheet face masks tend to be milder than their counterparts. Stick to masks that contain natural and gentle skincare ingredients. The fewer ingredients your skin has to work with, the lesser your chances of skin irritation!

Tell us if you found this guide helpful. Leave a comment below with your thoughts or recommendations. Also, follow us on Instagram and tag us in your fun #selfcare posts. We’d love to connect with you. Until next time!