The Facemasks That Actually Do Something

When I think about facemasks I instantly recall memories of my mum and sister peeling one off my face at age twelve and how much fun it was. Now as an adult with a real penchant for skincare I need a little more from my masks than just being able to peel them off once 10 minutes is up. I want something that isn't just a bunch of fake promises, I want something that can be a solid part of my routine and help with whatever complexion concern I might be dealing with. After years of trial and error I think I can now round up the masks that actually work and share them with you today.

CLARIFYING

The most known formulation of facemask is the deep cleansing option. For years, I suffered from nasty cystic spots so I can't say these were high on my hit list as I didn't want to bring even more to the surface, but there are options out there that can give your skin a thorough cleanse without leaving you with a face full of spots afterwards. They are typically clay based which helps draw all impurities out from the skin and it’s great for those with oily skin as it can absorb any extra sebum. I use a clarifying mask around twice a week as my skin is easily congested especially if I've been exercising a little more so I like to make I don't have a lot of impurities lurking deep within my pores. By making them a regular part of my skincare routine my skin, in general, is a lot clearer and the breakouts I do get aren't so severe. Nowadays there is a ton of formulations available to suit all skin types, so if the typical dry cracking sensation isn’t your thing then not to worry.

TRY: AESOP PARSLEY SEED MASQUE, SOAP & GLORY NO CLOGS ALLOWED*, ANTIPODES AURA MANUKA HONEY MASK AND UNA BRENNAN TEA FLOWER MASK

BRIGHTENING

I thank the beauty blogging world almost daily for introducing me into the wonderful world of the brightening mask. A dull complexion is one of my biggest skincare concerns alongside blemish scarring and with regular use of something containing some sort of chemical exfoliant has done my skin wonders. Not only have they worked at brightening up my complexion on the whole but they have also helped with breakouts, which wasn't something I was expecting. As I use a chemical toner AM & PM daily I only reach for a mask in this category once a week, as I don't want to cause any damage to my skin.

TRY: REN GLYCOLYTIC RADIANCE RENEWAL MASK, JURLIQUE FRUIT ENZYME MASK*AND ORIGINS GINZING MASK

REN_Glycolactic_Radiance_Renewal_Mask_50ml_1395664281.png

HYDRATING

As my skin is typically dehydrated it's always in need of a big boost of moisture. Hydrating masks are one of my favourites to reach for as they can be used no matter what the overall condition of my skin is and I instantly notice a difference. Typically, I've found there are two different formulations of the hydrating mask; the wash off wonder and the intense overnighter. I use both on separate occasions, the quick instant boosters are great before you go out and want your skin to look the best it can and when I've had a rough day that is when I typically reach for the overnight option as a real treat. Oily skinned girls might fear these masks, but I've never found them to make me resemble an oil slick or cause any breakouts from too much hydration.

TRY: DR JART WATER FUSE MASK*, THE BODY SHOP BOUNCY SLEEP MASK*, UNA BRENNAN ROSE INTENSE MOISTURE MASK AND HEDELWEISS HYDRATING MASK.