Do you put a mask on before or after moisturizer?

Using a face mask as part of your regular skin care routine could be beneficial for your skin — that is, if you’re doing it right. Face masks can help address specific skin care concerns such as dullness or excess oil, plus, they can make for a great self-care experience. 

But there are a few common mistakes you may be making that could be interfering with you getting the most out of your face mask. Here, we’re sharing the face mask mistakes you should avoid and what you should be doing instead in order to get the clear, glowing skin you desire.

1. You Don’t Customize Your Mask For Your Skin Type 

You likely choose your facial cleanser and moisturizer based on your unique skin type and concerns — and that’s how you should go about picking a face mask, too. For example, if you have dry skin, a hydrating mask is a great option, while if you have oily skin, you might want to make a mattifying face mask, like the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Face Mask your go-to. 

This face mask is infused with charcoal to help draw out impurities, dirt, oil and pollution, reduce the look of dull skin, and even out skin tone. So, don’t pick any face mask just because you’ve heard people talking about it — choose one that suits your skin type for the best results. 

2. You Apply Your Face Mask to Unwashed Skin

In general, you’ll want to apply a face mask to clean, dry skin, so make sure to cleanse your skin first and pat dry. Otherwise you could be layering a face mask on top of dirt and bacteria. So if you’re wondering if you should wash your face after a face mask, the answer is you should wash your face beforehand.  

Use a gentle, no-rinse cleansing option like micellar water to help remove dirt, oil, and traces of makeup. The L’Oréal Paris Micellar Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof – All Skin Types is a great option because it intensely purifies while remaining gentle on your skin.

3. You Apply Your Mask With Dirty Hands

It’s important that your face is clean before applying a face mask, but it’s also a must to have clean hands. You don’t want to transfer oils or bacteria from your hands to your face. So, don’t smooth a face mask on with your fingers unless you’ve given your hands an extra thorough cleansing first. For a hygienic and mess-free way to apply a face mask try using a flat foundation brush or a face cleanser brush — which some will argue is the best way to apply a face mask.

4. You Use Too Much Product

As with many other skin care products, when it comes to face masks, less is often more. A super-thick layer won’t result in a more effective masking session. Typically, you should only need to apply one even layer to your clean, dry skin. Your best bet is to follow the directions on the package of the specific mask you’re using. 

5. You Don’t Customize Sheet Masks

Quite often, sheet masks won't perfectly contour to your face. Instead of sucking it up and using the face mask as is, you can make it a better fit to avoid bubbles or uncovered areas on your skin. Grab a pair of scissors and snip off any excess, then pop it on and let it work its magic. 

6. You Only Mask While You’re Awake

It’s easy to assume that you have to be awake to use a face mask, but that isn’t quite the case. While you shouldn’t snooze while wearing a clay mask, there are other masks that are meant to be worn overnight. 

If you want to work on your complexion while you’re getting your beauty sleep, try using the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Anti-Aging Overnight Mask. Formulated with centella asiatica (a plant known for its medicinal properties), this face mask helps to improve skin’s firmness and elasticity with continued use over time. Immediately, skin feels hydrated and soft, which is sure to make for a more pleasant wake up call.  

7. You Leave Your Mask On For Too Long 

Alternatively, if a mask isn’t meant to be worn overnight, be mindful of that. It can be easy to let your thoughts drift during a self-care moment — and before you know it, quite a bit of time has passed after you’ve applied your face mask. 

Unfortunately, leaving a mask on for an extended  time won’t ensure it works better. In fact, if the mask has highly active ingredients in it, like alpha hydroxy acid, leaving it on too long could even cause irritation. Always follow the time instructions on the packaging — and if you think you might forget, set a timer.

8. You Don’t Moisturize After Masking 

We promise we’re not judging — sort of. Moisturizer is just such an important step in every skin care routine so we can’t stress enough how you can’t skip it. After masking, you need to follow up with moisturizer, otherwise masking might result in dry skin. 

Remember that masks usually provide an extra boost to your skin, they don’t always replace other steps in your routine. Once you’ve rinsed off your face mask, apply a lightweight moisturizer, like the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Anti-Aging Day Moisturizer SPF 25 in the daytime and the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Anti-Aging Night Moisturizer at night. 

9. You Don’t Use Face Masks Regularly 

You don’t have to reserve face masks for special occasions. Depending on which one you’re using, your complexion might benefit from applying it more than just every so often. In fact, you may even want to consider using one up to three times a week. Check out the directions on the packaging to see how often you should use it — it will vary from product to product.

10. You Haven’t Tried Multi-Masking 

If you’re limiting yourself to only using one mask at a time, you could be masking wrong. Multi-masking — applying different face masks to different areas of your face at the same time — allows you to address the nuanced skin care needs throughout your complexion. 

Consider what skin concerns you have, then pick your face masks accordingly. For example, apply a clay mask to your oily T-zone, and a hydrating mask to any dry areas you might have. This way you’re getting more customized results out of your skin pampering session. 

Next: 10 Skin Care Mistakes You Could Be Making — And What To Do Instead

Edited by: Shalwah Evans, Photo Credit: Chaunte Vaughn

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