Key Takeaways
- Facial masks can draw impurities and excess oil from the pores and infuse skin with nourishing, rejuvenating ingredients.
- Facial masks should typically be used 1-3 times weekly, but optimal frequency depends on the product and your skincare routine.
- The best facial masks are: LBB Skincare Labs Porefection Detox Bentonite + Kaolin Clay Mask, Lea Black Beauty® Sudden Youth® Lift Complete Facial Treatment, and LBB Skincare Labs Professional Glow Botanical Enzyme Peel.
Facial masks allow you to enjoy a luxurious spa-like experience from the comfort of home. Beyond giving you an excuse to pamper yourself, the ritual can provide a myriad of short- and long-term benefits.
Of course, not all facial masks are equal! In this guide to the benefits of a facial mask, we’re going to explain the different types of masks and provide tips to help you make the most of every blissful mask-on moment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I add a facial mask to my skincare routine?
Masks are perfect when you want to go a step beyond standard skincare solutions like face cleansers, exfoliators, oils, and serums.
Masks are usually highly concentrated, and the prolonged exposure of the ingredients to your skin allows them to penetrate and nourish deeply while drawing out impurities and excess oil.
How often should you use a facial mask?
Typically, the benefits of a facial mask should be enjoyed around 1-3 times per week. However, when to use a facial mask depends on many factors, such as its ingredients and potency, your skincare needs and goals, the season, and other skincare products you’ve used recently.
What are the different types of facial masks?
There are many different types of facial masks. Here are the most common:
- Clay/mud masks
- Firming masks
- Cream masks
- Gel masks
- Peel-off masks
- Exfoliating masks
- Sheet/occlusive masks
- Overnight masks
Each type of mask has its own unique benefits, which we’ll cover in-depth below!
Should I moisturize after a face mask?
Yes, moisturizing after the treatment locks in the nourishing ingredients, ensuring that you reap the full benefits of a facial mask.
Some facial masks can disrupt the skin barrier and draw out moisture. Moisturizing can soothe inflammation and irritation and rehydrate dry skin.
Can a face mask help with wrinkles?
Yes, some facial masks can reduce signs of aging skin. Here are a few examples:
- Exfoliating masks can remove dead skin cells that cause dullness and a lack of glow.
- Masks with mandelic acid can support cell renewal, keeping skin looking fresh and youthful.
- Masks with niacinamide can promote collagen production, helping to make skin firmer and tighter and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Can I use a facial mask for spot treatments?
Some masks can be applied to specific areas. For example, many of our customers enjoy targeted benefits of a facial mask by spot-applying our LBB Skincare Labs Porefection Detox Bentonite + Kaolin Clay Mask to the T-zone or specific blemishes.
Understanding the Types of Facial Masks
In order to determine when to use a facial mask and what types of benefits you can expect, you first need to be familiar with the different types of facial masks available. After all, just like other skincare products, every facial mask has a unique formula and directions for use.
We’re going to break down the basics, but be sure to check the label for specific details!
Clay/Mud for Detoxification
The primary benefits of a facial mask made from clay or mud are based on their ability to pull out impurities and excess oil from the pores while other nourishing ingredients penetrate the skin and rejuvenate it from within.
The magnetic pulling action stems from the mask’s drying process. When the clay or mud dries, it creates a suction effect that draws out grime, dirt, sebum, toxins, and other pore-clogging stuff you don’t want sticking around.
Some types of clay masks contain synergistic ingredients that complement the clay’s purifying action. For example, our LBB Skincare Labs Porefection Detox Bentonite + Kaolin Clay Mask has cucumber fruit extract to hydrate and soften the skin and licorice root extract to brighten it.
Firming Masks
The benefits of a facial mask that focuses on firming are often related to anti-aging. They can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve firmness and elasticity to target sagging, and tighten pores for a smoother complexion.
Since 1984, Lea Black Beauty® Sudden Youth® Lift Complete Facial Treatment has remained the gold standard for firming facial masks. Long ago, our enthusiastic customers lovingly nicknamed it the “instant face lift” for its incredible ability to non-invasively reduce signs of aging.
Cream/Gel Masks
When to use a facial mask often comes down to specific skin concerns. Leave-on cream- or gel-based masks are great when you want to infuse your skin with your favorite go-to ingredients. For example, maybe you want to target a blemish or redness.
One of the main benefits of a facial mask is simply the fact that it stays on your skin for an extended period of time. While cleansers get washed away quickly, leave-on creams and gels get absorbed more effectively, allowing them to really get to work.
Exfoliating Masks
Exfoliating masks are designed to slough away dead skin cells and unclog pores. Physical exfoliating masks use tiny beads or other materials to manually remove dead skin; chemical exfoliating masks use acids to dissolve dead skin cells.
Many facial peels are similar to facial masks in that you leave them on for a set amount of time. While the benefits of a facial mask typically involve purifying and nourishing skin, facial peels are usually used to remove the top layer of dead skin.
For example, LBB Skincare Labs Professional Glow Botanical Enzyme Peel is an exfoliating mask and enzyme peel in one! It dissolves and removes dead skin cells while simultaneously smoothing, brightening, and moisturizing.
Sheet/Occlusive Masks
These are actual physical masks made from various materials such as plastic, silicone, rubber, or fabric. They have active ingredients that are forced into the skin because the mask creates a barrier that prevents them from escaping. This is called occlusion.
The benefits of a facial mask designed for occlusion come down to its deep penetration. The mask essentially pushes the ingredients into the skin, ensuring that the treatment is fully absorbed.
Overnight Masks
Not sure when to use a facial mask? Overnight masks are designed to be worn while you sleep! While these masks can be beneficial, some beauty and skincare enthusiasts find them to be intrusive. After all, getting your beauty rest matters, too!
If you’re interested in a non-intrusive overnight option, try applying Lea Black Beauty® Sudden Youth® 500mg CBD Intensive Moisture Renewal Cream before bed. While you slumber peacefully and uninterrupted, it’ll be hard at work nourishing and rejuvenating your skin.
Find Your Perfect Facial Mask
Don’t overlook one of the best benefits of a facial mask: enjoying a blissful, spa-like experience. Science has shown that reducing stress supports healthy skin, and you deserve to unwind and pamper yourself!
At Lea Black Beauty®, we offer luxurious, all-natural skincare products made from the finest raw, clean ingredients. Shop now, and experience the rejuvenating power of nature!
