Are Skin Care Face Masks Really Worth It?

We all know the importance of a consistent daily skin care routine that covers all the basics: cleanser, moisturizer, the staples. But there’s an extra step that some people swear by: skin care masks. Whether they’re sheet masks, clay masks, black masks, or any other type of masks, they have a passionate following.

The question is, though, do they actually work? Are skin care masks worth your time? Let’s take a look at the benefits, the potential risks, and the final verdict.

Benefits of Skin Care Masks

Facial masks can be a refreshing way to relax, but they also do your skin a favor at the same time. If you’re using a high-quality mask, there are a few benefits you can soak up.

In-Depth Skin Care

The whole point of a mask is for you to let the product sit on your skin for a while, usually between 5 and 20 minutes. The products in the mask are designed to really get into your skin in that time, giving you a deeper and more thorough treatment than you would get from your garden variety skin care products.

Targeted Skin Boost

If you’ve been shopping around in skin care, you’ve probably noticed that there’s an endless number of types of masks out there. Each one has a specific purpose: hydrating, cleansing, anti-aging, and so on. This lets you not only give your skin a more in-depth treatment but also give your skin a targeted treatment for exactly what it needs.

Taking Your Skin Care Routine Up a Notch

Your daily skin care routine is the cornerstone of your skin health, but it isn’t the limit. A face mask can take all the progress you’re making with your daily skin care and crank it up to a 10. This is particularly true if you start incorporating a mask into your skin care habit – just not every day. Most masks will instruct you on how often to use them, but when in doubt, aim for once per week.

Potential Downsides of Face Masks

Now that we’ve covered the pros of skin care masks, what about the cons? While the risks are minimal, there are risks with any product you put on your skin, so it’s important to keep these in mind.

Possible Irritants

Your skin is a snowflake – no one else’s skin is exactly like it. Unfortunately, that can translate to “your skin could react to an ingredient unexpectedly and there’s no way to predict when.” There’s always a chance that something in your mask won’t jive well with your skin, triggering redness and irritation. Even masks that are supposed to be soothing can do this, believe it or not, and this problem is especially common with low-quality masks that choose their ingredients based more on cost than on safety or effectiveness.

Potentially Ineffective Results

With face masks, as with any skin care product, you’re never guaranteed to get the results you want. After all, everyone’s skin reacts differently, so there’s always a chance that you’ll spend your time and money on a mask, use it consistently, and wind up seeing no improvement.

The Verdict: Are Face Masks Worth Doing?

And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for…the verdict. Are face masks worth it?

The answer is ultimately yes, but only if you’re using a high-quality mask that has the properties and ingredients that your skin needs. It’s all about getting the right one for your skin.

How to Choose the Right Skin Care Face Mask for You

Naturally, if I tell you how important it is to choose the right face mask, I’m not going to leave you hanging. Use these tips to find a mask that will give your skin what it needs.

Define Your Priorities

As I mentioned earlier, there’s no such thing as a “standard” face mask; they all have specific goals they’re working toward. If you’re having a hard time pinning down what it is that a particular mask is aiming for, that’s a red flag that it’s probably not a good product.

Decide what you want to work on for your skin: deep pore cleansing , anti-aging, hydration, you name it. That could vary throughout the year – maybe your skin needs more help with hydration in the winter but during the summer you can prioritize anti-aging. Whatever it is, choosing your priority is the first step toward narrowing the pool of options.

Consider Your Top Brands

Take a look at your current skin care routine and products you’ve used in the past. Are there any particular brands that you trust or that have worked out well for you? If your skin gets along well with specific brands’ products on a daily basis, there’s a good chance that the brand’s masks will be a good fit too, so jot down any brands you want to target.

Make a List of Ingredients to Avoid

Just as important as knowing what to look for is knowing what to avoid. If you’re aware of any skin care ingredients or products that sparked a bad reaction in your skin in the past, write them down. You might not be able to pinpoint a specific ingredient but simply knowing the products can help.

Put Trial and Error to Use

Now that you have a list of your personal dos and don’ts for your mask, it’s time for good old trial and error. Find a mask that has the focus you’re looking for, skips the ingredients that irritate your skin, and possibly is from a brand that has worked for you in the past, and give it a try. Use it on a regular basis according to the bottle’s instructions and see what kind of results you’re getting after six weeks. At the end of the day, the only way to know if a product will work for you is to give it a fair shake.

Shopping for Your Skin Care Masks

If you’re looking for a great face mask to take your next home spa night to the next level, say no more! Use the tips above and head to Skin Elite’s vast selection of high-quality skin masks to get started. Enjoy!