Are You Applying Your Face Mask Right?

Applying a face mask is a no-brainer, right? Throw in a few ingredients, whip it into a smooth paste and lather it right up. Let it sit as long as possible and voilà, you've got yourself a flawless glowing skin!

But, wait, what! Why is your skin overly stretchy or why is your nose greasy, and is that a red boil? Which brings us back to the real question. Are you applying your face mask right?

Believe it or not, 3 out of 5 people ruin their skin, presuming they are "caring" for their skin. All because they don't know the right way to apply a face mask.

Irrespective of the type of skin you have, when applying a face pack, a few essential questions you need to ask yourself are, "How often should I apply face mask?", "How long should I leave on the face pack?", "Should I start from the forehead and work my way to the skin?" and "Is a single coat enough?"

So many questions and next to no answers! Rather than groping in the dark, we set out to find answers to these pressing questions. And here is what we found out! Take a look.

Assess Your Skin

Almond oil is great for the skin, but is it good for your skin? If you have oily skin, answer is "No" and if you have dry skin, answer is "Yes". That's because nourishing properties of almond oil work to hydrate the skin rather than controlling the excess sebum.

So, know your skin type. Read the ingredients closely and know they do, before making your selection.

How Often Should You Apply A Face Pack?

Not more than twice a week. Depending on your skin type, switch from exfoliating to a hydrating mask. Make sure the ingredients you use in your mask are not too harsh, as the objective is to unclog the pores and remove the dirt layers, without stripping the skin of its natural oils.

How Long Should You Leave Your Face Mask On?

You want to nourish your skin, without force-feeding it, right? So, you need to consider two factors when deciding; first, the ingredients used in a face mask and, second, your skin type. If you have a sensitive skin, it is ideal to not leave the mask on for more than 10 to 15 minutes. And if you have a normal skin, you can go from 20 to 30 minutes.

Is Steaming A Good Idea Before Applying A Face Mask?

Yes, if you have oily skin. And No, if you have an excessively dry skin. Steaming unclogs pores, loosens the dirt, which in turn makes it easier to slough off the dead skin cells. However, if you have an excessively dry skin, steaming will only serve to strip off the precious oils from your skin layers, leaving it dull.

How Many Coats Is Sufficient?

You are nullifying the whole point of the face mask, if you apply more than one coat. One coat of a face pack will work just as fine as ten layers of the face pack, in fact better, as it is easier to seep in to the skin. And if your pack is runny, rather than applying it repeatedly, use a base powder, like besan or sandalwood to make the paste slightly thicker.

Should You Use A Brush Or A Finger?

Your brush coated with unseen dust will do more harm than any good. Similarly, if your germ-teaming fingers are not cleansed first, entire point of a face mask is moot. End of the day, it doesn't matter what you use, brush or fingers, as long as it is clean. Although, brush does make for an easier application.

Should You Use Hot Water Or Cold Water To Cleanse The Face?

Hot water can scald your skin and leave it dry. Cold water, on the other hand, though closes the pores can give you cold. So, the ideal temperature would be lukewarm water.

Application Method

• Start off by cleansing your face of dirt, oil and makeup with a mild cleanser.
• If you are using a store-bought mask, follow the instructions given on the label. If you are making your own mask from natural ingredients, use the quantity to suit your skin type.
• For added relaxation, place the mask for a few minutes in the refrigerator, until cool.
• Using a clean brush or finger, apply a thin coat of the mask.

Removal Method

• Never let a mask go completely dry. Wash it off when it is semi-dry. When completely dry, a mask becomes twice as hard to remove. And being harsh can damage your skin.
• If the mask has dried fully, spritz some water, and when the pack has loosened, scrub and rinse thoroughly.
• Gently pat dry, and DO NOT rub, with a soft towel.
• Follow it up with a skin-suited moisturiser.

Added Tip

When you have a face pack on, avoid using any facial expression, even smiling or frowning, as it can lead to the appearance of fine lines.