USING FACIAL MASKS

Dear Friends...In addition to daily cleansing routines, the use of masks can improve the appearance of your skin as well as correct prior damage. Masks are either warm or cold and come in powder, paste or gel forms. After the mask is removed your skin should feel clean, stimulated, and refreshed.

Masks have been used since ancient times and have been made from clay, mud, sour milk, fruit and wine as well as other icky ingredients like dead insect or animal parts. Today’s commercially prepared masks contain elements of those natural ingredients as well as artificial chemicals.

Masks are used for a variety of purposes depending on the client’s skin needs. Masks can provide deep moisturizing, remove excess oil, or thin the dead cell layer of our skin. Additionally, masks can temporarily tighten loose skin, calm inflamed skin, or loosen blackheads for manual removal.

The type of mask needed is based entirely on the type of skin your have the effect you hope to achieve. If your skin is dry then you’ll want to use something that’s moisturizing without being greasy. If your skin is oily, you’ll want to use a mask designed to dry up excess oil. If your skin is sensitive to chemicals, you’ll want to use something that not only moisturizes but does so with gentle ingredients.

Homemade masks are effective and free of artificial chemicals whose names can’t be pronounced let alone understood. In addition, homemade masks are easy to prepare and, since they are made from ingredients available at your grocery store’s produce section, they are way less expensive than the commercial products. Some would argue that any produce used should be organic and I think that it’s the best option. However, any fresh produce will work too.

Masks should always be applied to a clean face and never worn for longer than 10 to 15 minutes. The mask should be removed with warm water followed by toner and moisturizer. Masking should be done on a weekly basis.

Next time I’ll give you some recipes for homemade masks that are easy to make, inexpensive and will improve your skin’s appearance, too!

Hugs,

Carolyn