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What’s the short answer?Simply put: It depends. It comes down to your skin type, your individual skin needs, and the kind of mask you’re using. Some masks are best used once per week, while others can be used more frequently, up to 3 times per week. The easiest thing to do is read the instructions on the label or packaging that comes with your face mask. The directions should explain how often you can use the face mask, given its formula and the strength of its ingredients.
Typical useUnlike other parts of your skin care routine — such as your moisturizer or serums — face masks typically don’t produce long-term results. However, using them before big events can temporarily add to your skin’s glow and soothe any inflammation or irritation. Most face masks should be used about once per week. However, some skin types may benefit from more frequent application. Clay and mudClay and mud masks are easy to recognize. Their thick consistency and trademark green, brown, or gray color is notable. These masks are known for their “detoxifying” effects, where they draw oil and dirt from your pores. Because of their purifying results, clay and mud masks are best for acne-prone, oily, combination, or dull skin.
Popular on Amazon, Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay is a 100 percent bentonite clay powder that can be mixed with water or apple cider vinegar for a pure clay mask. The Ahava Purifying Mud Mask has Dead Sea mud and minerals to deeply cleanse your skin while soothing it with horsetail extract. Charcoal In the medical field, activated charcoal has been used for years to detox the body of poison and substance overdose. In skin care, activated charcoal masks are believed to remove impurities and help with acne. Because they’re known to help absorb oil and impurities, charcoal masks are best for acne-prone, oily, and combination skin types.
Be careful to choose charcoal face masks that won’t dry out and tug your skin. The Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask has a delicate balance of bamboo charcoal to draw out dirt and fermented honey to gently nourish your skin. Similarly, the PCA Detoxifying Mask contains a mix of charcoal, mud, glycerin, and chamomile to help prevent irritation. Cream or gelCream face masks hydrate skin by deeply replenishing dry cells. Gel masks work similarly, and they weightlessly hydrate and cool at the same time. Generally, cream and gel masks are good for all skin types, though skin that’s dry, sun damaged, or sensitive might benefit the most.
Packed with hyaluronic acid, the La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Intense Mask moisturizes without feeling heavy on your skin. For a cooling effect, the Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Mask refreshes and soothes with cucumber, papaya, and chamomile extracts. Enzyme, exfoliating, and peel-offPeel-off masks are applied as gels that dry to a film-like consistency and are then peeled off. As the mask is peeled off, it takes with it dirt, oil, and other impurities that can clog pores. These masks are best for rough or uneven texture and dull skin. Some exfoliating masks with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) can irritate sensitive skin.
Malin+Goetz Brightening Enzyme Masks contain a mix of pomegranate and pumpkin enzymes and AHAs to exfoliate your skin quickly and with minimal irritation. Looking for a more intense exfoliating treatment? The Herbivore Botanicals Prism Exfoliating Glow Facial blends 20 percent fruit-based AHAs and 5 percent BHAs to help brighten dull skin. Sheet Sheet masks are single-use strips of paper, fabric like cotton, or cellulose saturated in serums or encased in ampoules. The material sits on your skin to seal in the serum and moisturize. Sheet masks come in a variety of formulas for all skin types, from AHA- or BHA-infused masks made for exfoliating rough texture to ceramide masks that can hydrate dry skin. Because of this, all skin types can use sheet masks. It’s important to read the labels and find the ones best for your personal skin needs.
Want to nourish stressed-out skin? Try the Orgaid Greek Yogurt & Nourishing Organic Sheet Mask, which contains a hydrating mix of yogurt, aloe vera, lavender, and hyaluronic acid. The Erno Laszlo White Marble Bright Hydrogel Mask can help brighten skin discoloration and dullness and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Natural (DIY)Natural face masks (also known as DIY face masks) can be made at home with common kitchen ingredients, including honey, oats, and cucumber. Although it might seem like DIY masks are safer, it’s important to understand what ingredients are OK to apply topically. Be careful to avoid acidic ingredients, like lemon juice and apple cider vinegar, that can aggravate your skin. Natural face masks are typically suggested for more sensitive skin types that can’t tolerate common face mask ingredients, such as artificial fragrance. That said, homemade masks can be customized for any skin type.
It’s easy to make a DIY face mask at home with simple ingredients. You might try:
Before applying to your face, test the mask on a small area of skin on your jawline to make sure it won’t cause irritation. If you want to try something over the counter, the Fresh Rose Face Mask is made with natural, organic ingredients — and real rose petals — that help soothe irritated skin and redness. Signs you should switch up your useIf you aren’t seeing significant results from your face mask use, try increasing your usage by one more time per week. For hydrating, gentle formulas, such as cream and gel masks, you can experiment with using the face mask daily. If you’re using an exfoliating or purifying formula and you’re starting to see raw skin or light irritation, it might be best to decrease your frequency to once per week or once every few weeks. Signs you should stop using the mask altogetherIf your face mask is causing severe irritation, acne flare-ups, or any type of allergic reaction, stop using it immediately. If you can, consult a dermatologist or other healthcare provider to see what your best move is. They might prescribe a topical or oral medication to curb the irritation. In some cases, inflammation and other irritation might clear up without treatment. The bottom lineYou can find face masks for every skin type and every skin need. Because so many different formulas and uses exist, there’s no one answer for how often or how long you should wear a face mask. Always consult the label or packaging for best use, and if you’re ever concerned, ask a dermatologist for their advice. Jen Anderson is a wellness contributor at Healthline. She writes and edits for various lifestyle and beauty publications, with bylines at Refinery29, Byrdie, MyDomaine, and bareMinerals. When not typing away, you can find Jen practicing yoga, diffusing essential oils, watching Food Network, or guzzling a cup of coffee. You can follow her NYC adventures on Twitter and Instagram. How many times can we use Garnier face mask?The best part about sheet masks is you can use them as often as you like, even every day if you want to. Use a sheet mask at least two to three times a week to really let your skin benefit from all the active, natural ingredients and the hydrating serum in the sheet masks.
How many times should I use a charcoal mask?As with other facial masks, it's best to apply a charcoal mask once or twice a week. If you have sensitive skin, or find that your skin feels dry after using a charcoal mask, only apply once a week or every couple of weeks.
Can I use charcoal face mask everyday?Similar to clay and mud masks, charcoal masks should sit on your face for only 15 minutes and be applied only once or twice per week. Those with more sensitive skin should only use them once per week or once every few weeks. Be careful to choose charcoal face masks that won't dry out and tug your skin.
Can you reuse the Garnier tissue mask?We do recommend against this, as the sheet mask has been absorbing dirt and bacteria from the skin, therefore if you reapply at a later date, you could be placing this back onto the skin. The other reason why we would recommend against this is down to the dryness.
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