In the world of cosmetics and skincare, your options are almost endless. And while it’s nice to have so many choices, it also makes choosing the right one for your particular needs harder as you sort through the offerings.
If you’re looking for the best face mask, check out our guide to finding the best one for your needs and skin type!
Different Types of Skin
Before hunting for the best face mask, you need to understand your own skin type. Dermatologists have established five distinct skin types. Which you have will determine what your skin needs to be healthy, and what problems it’s prone to.
1. Oily Skin
Our skin secretes natural oils to keep skin protected and moisturized. For people with oily skin, the body doesn’t just stop at a little oil – it goes into overdrive and produces too much.
You’ll know you have oily skin if almost anything you apply to your face, like makeup and lotions, causes breakouts. Folks with oily skin will also have a hard time finding a sunscreen that soaks in and doesn’t feel heavy or thick.
2. Dry Skin
Dry skin is the opposite – your body doesn’t produce enough oils to keep it moisturized.
Dry skin looks lifeless or dull because it’s often covered by a layer of dead skin cells. These people can’t seem to find a lotion that works and have to use a heavy-duty moisturizer under makeup to avoid flaking skin.
3. Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin is the kind that is prone to inflammation.
These people deal with breakouts and rashes, dermatitis, and rosacea. They’ll have adverse reactions to many products and ingredients and have to be careful of the skincare products they choose to avoid problems.
4. Combination Skin
Combination skin isn’t as straightforward to define as dry or oily.
People with combination skin move along the spectrum between the two. Some dermatologists classify it based on seasonal changes, like having dry skin in winter and oily skin in summer, while others explain it as having places on the body that are oily while others remain dry.
In any event, combo skin can be prone to both severe dryness and breakouts in equal measure.
5. Normal Skin
Normal skin is a misnomer, in that whatever your skin is like is normal for you. However, as a definition, people who have normal skin can tolerate almost any product without adverse reactions and don’t have many skin problems.
Different Kinds of Masks
Most masks fall into one of the following categories. While some are suitable for most skin types, others should be avoided by specific groups. Once you’ve determined what your skin type is, look below to learn the best face mask for yours!
1. Cream Masks
Cream masks are heavy on the moisturizer factor. As the name implies, they’re made of thick creams that sit on the face for a period of time and allow the moisturizing agent to soak into the skin.
Cream masks work best for people with normal and dry skin. Combination skin can sometimes benefit from a cream mask, but people with sensitive and oily skin will likely encounter problems with rashes and breakouts if they allow a heavy oil-based moisturizer to sit on their skin.
2. Clay Masks
Clay masks are made of powders mixed with water that adhere to skin and dry, pulling out debris and toxins in the process.
Because clay masks have a drying factor, they work beautifully for people with oily skin. As they dry and pull out dirt and oil, they can help balance the overabundance oily-skinned folks produce and reduce breakouts. However, for dry-skinned people, clay masks will likely make your face feel like the cracked surface of a desert!
3. Gel Masks
Gel masks are soothing. They’re lightweight and soak into the skin quickly, and are good for every skin type.
They generally contain healing elements like aloe, making them suitable for people with more sensitive skin. Because they don’t clog pores they can be used on oily skin, and the healing extracts they include can benefit dry skin.
4. Sheet Masks
Sheet masks are fabric-styled masks that are pressed onto the face and left to sit for up to 30 minutes. The ingredients infused into the fabric are absorbed by the skin.
Because they are lightweight and specifically made for each skin type, you can find a suitable sheet mask no matter what type of skin you’re sporting. And they have many formulations for all kinds of problems, like this Dermal face mask.
5. Exfoliating Masks
Exfoliating masks contain certain acids or exfoliating ingredients that remove dead skin cells and brighten skin.
While they are suitable for all skin types, people with sensitive skin will want to be mindful of the ingredients included and choose products that are less abrasive to the skin.
6. Thermal Masks
Thermal masks generate heat when exposed to air, unclogging pores and enhancing blood circulation to the face.
These can also be used by all skin types and are especially good for older skin. Because they can create a “sweat” effect, however, people with oily skin might encounter issues.
7. Peel-Off Masks
Peel-off masks aren’t as abrasive as exfoliating masks but create the same healthy glow. A thin layer is brushed onto the face where it quickly dries and is then peeled off, pulling out impurities and toxins and leaving healthy, shiny skin behind.
They’re lightweight, non-drying, and non-abrasive, meaning they can be safely and easily used by all skin types.
So What Is the Best Face Mask for You?
Besides finding the right face mask for your skin type, finding the best face mask means knowing what your end goal is.
Have dry skin and want a healthy, bright glow? Try a cream or peel-off mask.
Tend towards oily skin and need to get rid of excess dirt and oil? Try a clay or exfoliating mask.
And don’t be afraid to combine different types to achieve your goals. Pairing a cleansing style mask like an exfoliator with a hydrating style mask like a cream or gel will leave your skin fresh and glowing! These are the best face masks for you if want to have healthy skin. But what should you do if you are going on a hunting trip? Donโt worry. Weโve got your back. Here are the top hunting face masks that youโll need, read on.
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