Why your skin needs a space-age beauty mask
IS YOUR skin in need of a post-summer boost but your budget can’t quite stretch to a professional facial? If so, this is the perfect time to try out one of this year’s hottest beauty trends by treating yourself to a high-tech face mask.
It’s easy to write off beauty masks as an occasional indulgence or an expensive spa treat.
However this simply isn’t the case as the latest generation of products are super-effective multi-tasking marvels that can deliver serious results from the comfort of your own home.
What’s more, you can pick up a good one for a fiver or less.
A weekly mask can do wonders for the skin, from brightening and hydrating to softening wrinkles and shrinking pores.
However with so many different products on the market, how do you choose? Read our guide and discover which mask is best for you.
Sheet MaSkS
Sheet masks are ultra-versatile as they can treat most skin concerns and have instant complexionboosting benefits. Made from cloth or paper that has been saturated in serum, they are placed over the skin and left on for 10 to 20 minutes. TRY: Origins Lavender Soothing Sheet Mask, £5 (origins.co.uk) Suitable for most skin types, this lavender-infused cloth facial mask contains flower extracts and bamboo to increase hydration, soften the appearance of fine lines and give tired skin a boost.
Smooth the cloth over the face, avoiding eyes and lips, and relax for 15 minutes.
BuBBle MaSkS
These deep-cleansing masks use a special oxygenation process to create a bubbling effect. As soon as they are applied, the mask starts to foam up and the bubbles help decongest and detoxify the skin, tackling blocked pores and soaking up excess oil.
Apply to cleansed skin and leave on for 10 minutes before rinsing off.
TRY: Beautypro Detoxifying Foaming and Cleansing Sheet Mask with Activated Charcoal, £4.95 (beautypro.com)
This mask feels smooth when applied before transforming into a bubbling froth. The bubbling action massages the skin, helping to open pores so the detoxifying charcoal and exfoliating fruit extracts can get to work.
RuBBeR MaSkS
While rubber masks have been popular in Asia for the past couple of years, they have only recently appeared in the UK.
Typically they are made from a powder formula that is mixed with water to create a thick paste. When applied to cleansed skin, the mixture dries to a rubbery consistency that can be easily peeled off.
Rubber masks are particularly good for sensitive skin as they tend to be gentle and don’t harden like a clay mask. TRY: Crystal Clear Facelift In A Box, £14.99 (crystalclear.co.uk)
Good for softening lines and wrinkles, this hydrating and lifting rubber mask contains algae gel, wheat protein and amino acids to moisturise and tone.
The mask dries in 30 minutes and leaves skin lifted and firm. Good to use before a special occasion when you need an extra lift.
Multi-taSking MaSkS
These clever new masks tick all the boxes by acting as a cleanser, exfoliator and hydrating treatment in one. Apply to cleansed skin, leave on for 10-15 minutes and rinse off.
TRY: Rosina’s Kale and Pomegranate Enzyme Exfoliating Mask, £25 (rosinaslotionspotions.com)
This multi-tasker from our own skincare range can be used daily as a cleanser or once a week as an intensive skin booster. It contains pomegranate enzymes that gently exfoliate the skin while the vitaminrich kale is intensely nourishing.
Apply a generous layer to the skin and allow it to penetrate for five minutes before rinsing off and applying a moisturiser.
Foil Masks
Victoria Beckham is a fan of this space-age treatment mask. Underneath the foil layer is a sheet that has been soaked in nourishing and anti-ageing ingredients. The foil prevents these skin boosters from evaporating and has a warming effect on the complexion.
TRY: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Powerfoil Mask, £16.50 (esteelauder.co.uk)
This high-tech treatment comes in two parts, one for the upper face and another to fit around the lower face and is packed with moisturising hyaluronic acid to leave skin hydrated and radiant.
For advice on cosmetic surgery consult your GP. For more of Lesley’s tips see lesleyreynolds.com