Most recently updated 1/20/21

If your skin needs a little something-something, look no further than a face mask. Let’s put it this way: If the rest of your skincare routine is like your daily at-home workout, think of a face mask as a session with a personal trainer. 

“Face masks often deliver highly concentrated key ingredients to the skin to improve its overall health and address skin concerns,” says NakedPoppy research scientist Marisa Plescia. “What makes face masks so effective is they are occlusive. This means that they create a physical barrier, which allows the ingredients to absorb more efficiently.”

And if the idea of doing a face mask seems like it also requires a cushy robe and playlist full of Enya, rest assured that you don’t actually need a dedicated spa night to do it. “There’s no right time to mask. Make it work for you, so it’s conducive to your life and schedule,” says NakedPoppy skin specialist Tara Parenti.

That said, whether you have five minutes or 15, that’s usually enough to reap the many benefits of masks — and take a moment for yourself. Try taking a few deep breaths while your mask does its thing, or focus on the sensations while you’re applying it for a mindful moment. Think of it as self-care and skincare perks, all on your schedule.

With that in mind, keep scrolling to learn how to maximize your face mask.

Your masking methodology:

  • Start with a clean or freshly exfoliated face.
  • Determine your mask according to your skin’s needs.
  • Apply a thin layer of the mask with your fingers.
  • Wash your mask off as directed on the packaging — not sooner, nor later.
  • Seal in the mask ingredients with a moisturizer.

Start with a clean face

To get the best results, your face should be freshly cleansed before masking, since you don’t want makeup interfering with those powerful ingredients. Exfoliation takes that thinking even further. 

“Exfoliating the dead skin cells from your skin leaves fresh skin that can better absorb the key ingredients and benefits from the face mask,” says Plescia. You can do this with an exfoliating mask (more on that below) or with your usual exfoliant, whether that’s a toner or a peel pad.

Reach for a face mask based on your skin type

Not all face masks are created equal. Instead, those highly-concentrated ingredients are usually targeted to address a specific skin concern, such as congestion, excess oil, dryness, or dullness. 

Luckily, you don’t have to memorize which ingredients your skin needs ⁠— we created the NakedPoppy assessment to do the work for you. Just take 3 minutes to share more about your skin and goals (and more!) and you’ll automatically get matched with the perfect skincare for you, masks included.

Here, a look behind the curtain at which masks might be best suited for you.

Exfoliating masks

“Exfoliating treatment masks are designed to dissolve and eat away dead skin cells and stimulate cell turnover,” says Parenti. “Formulations may have anything from AHAs, BHAs, PHAs, enzymes, and even retinoids. They are appropriate for any skin type in need of chemical resurfacing.”

As we mentioned earlier, you can use an exfoliating mask on its own or, to amp up benefits, before applying another type of mask. 

On their own, they can deliver brighter, smoother skin. As a precursor to another mask, however, an exfoliating mask can remove the superficial dead skin cells, allowing the following ingredients to better penetrate skin — which usually translates to even better results. 

Try Odacité Bioactive Rose Gommage, which pairs mild manual exfoliation with pineapple and papaya enzymes. It delivers brighter, smoother skin, which may explain why it’s our best-selling mask.

Clay or charcoal masks

If you’re breaking out or just trying to tamp down shine before an event, go for the earthy stuff. 

Different types of clay, such as kaolin, bentonite, montmorillonite, and charcoal act as detoxifiers for skin. “These ingredients draw out oil and decongest skin,” explains Parenti. And if you have large pores on your T-zone or cheeks, these are a good idea, too. “Clay masks help reduce the appearance of large pores by acting as an astringent,” says Plescia. (Astringents remove oil from skin, giving it a matte finish.)

If your skin leans more towards combination skin, try Odacité Synergie Immediate Skin Perfecting Beauty Masque contains both charcoal and clay to detox skin, as well as hydrators to leave it feeling soft (not tight). 

54 Thrones Kahina Lava Cleansing Mask similarly pairs rhassoul clay and activated charcoal for maximum detoxifying power, while marshmallow root keeps skin from feeling stripped of oil. The results are next-level.

Hydrating masks

Whether your skin is dry or dehydrated — there’s a big difference between the two — reach for a moisturizing mask. 

These contain, not surprisingly, moisturizing ingredients to deeply nourish and soften skin. To get the benefits for yourself, try Maya Chia The Refresh Mint Resurfacing Moisture Mask, which both exfoliates and hydrates with humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid. “These humectants draw water into the skin while the occlusive nature of face masks seals in this hydration,” explains Plescia.

Get the timing right

Unless you’re doing a DIY situation, most masks come with a range of how long to wear them, such as five to 10 minutes, or 10 to 15 minutes. Stick to those instructions — no longer, no shorter. 

“Allow the face mask to do its work and have your skin reap its benefits by leaving the face mask on for the suggested amount of time,” says Plescia. “However, leaving it on for longer than the suggested amount of time usually is not any better.” 

For certain types of masks, such as clay masks, leaving it on longer can actually dry out skin too much, making it feel tight and uncomfortable.

Remember, a thin layer does the trick

While brushes designed solely for applying masks certainly exist, your hands work just as well (just make sure you wash them with soap first). 

“You can apply with your fingers,” says Parenti. “A thin application is all that you need.” Not only does piling on too much mask waste the formula, but also, “a super-thick layer won’t result in the product being more effective and occlusive,” Plescia explains.

Follow up with leave-on products

Once you’ve rinsed off your mask, it’s time to seal in the goodness.

“Continue with your leave-on finishing products as usual — so, tone, apply serum, and moisturize,” advises Parenti. If nothing else, put on your moisturizer. That way, you can ensure you’re sealing in all the good stuff your mask just delivered.

Have a question about masking? Leave it in the comments and our skin specialist Tara will answer it for you.

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