FACE FIRST
ONCE APPLIED IN THE PRIVACY OF A BEAUTICIAN’S CHAIR, MASKS ARE NOW PUBLIC PROPERTY
Welcome to the age of social media, where videos of women peeling beauty masks off their faces and revealing the muck extracted from their pores send the world into a spin.
Part disgusting, part fascinating, but as a result, masks have burst back on to the beauty scene as the favoured way to cleanse.
Facial masks come in different kinds, from the aforementioned peel masks to sheet masks and mud masks.
Skinvitals founder and product developer Lynne Meaney agrees social media has fed our curiosity in the cleansing technique.
“I think social media plays a big role in the current popularity of masks because they look fun and quirky, making them perfect for Instagram,” she says.
“Masks have also become popular in recent times because they offer instant, targeted results and people have realised how easily they can be incorporated into their skincare routine.”
Peel masks are by far the most entertaining. A smooth liquid is applied to the face or skin, which sets into a dry, thin layer.
Peel the layer off to reveal all the gunk that has been hiding in your pores, along with bacteria and dry skin.
“Peel masks are perfect for decongesting skin, helping to minimise pores and brightening your complexion,” Lynne says.
Be warned — the peel and reveal can become addictive. It’s best to use a peel mask no more than once a fortnight, as they’re heavy duty cleansers that can remove more than just debris when used too often.
Sheet masks suit dry complexions, whereas mud masks leave the face feeling polished and soft.
“Sheet masks are great for intense hydration and producing instant improvement in the complexion, leaving skin feeling rejuvenated and glowing,” Lynne says.
“Clay or mud masks are great for drawing out impurities in the skin, gently exfoliating the skin’s surface and removing dead skin cells. They work well to help remove blackheads or excess sebum and will leave skin feeling fresh and clean.”
Lynne recommends choosing products formulated to target specific skin conditions with an extra anti-ageing element.
“All of Skinvitals’ masks contain a booster serum which is applied to the skin as a first step. This serum has been formulated to fight all the visible signs of ageing,” she says.
“Then each sheet mask — step two — is laden with a potent cocktail of active cosmeceutical ingredients and hyaluronic acid to suit different skin problems.
“When used regularly, results build up in the skin to reveal a glowing, more youthful appearance.”