For most of 2020, face masks were the zeitgeist – that’s a German word that means the defining theme of a particular time. Essentially, during the COVID pandemic, it seemed like everyone was talking about and using face masks –the ones you wear over your mouth and nose to protect against disease and the ones you use for skincare. Face masks were certainly one of the defining themes of the COVID pandemic era. Fast forward to today, and skincare face masks are still a popular topic. Whether you got into using skincare face masks during the pandemic or you’re interested in learning more about how to include face masks in your skincare routine, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we’re going to review how to choose a skincare face mask to address your unique skin health needs.

Types of Skincare Face Masks

Your first step when choosing a face mask is to explore the many different types of face masks available. Skincare face masks are designed to deliver higher concentrations of active ingredients into the skin while giving them plenty of time to fully absorb. Traditional skincare products are placed on top of the skin, but they usually only partially absorb into the skin. That means many of the active ingredients just sit on the surface of the skin to be washed away by sweat or other skincare products. A face mask is meant to stay on the skin long enough for the active ingredients to be fully absorbed. For this reason, they offer numerous benefits for skin health from boosting hydration or clearing up acne to turning back the clock for aging skin, if you want to improve your skin, there’s probably a face mask that can help you do it. There are numerous types of face masks available, but some of the most common include:

• Charcoal face masks – These face masks are typically used by people who have oily and acne-prone skin because they help to draw out impurities from deep within pores.
• Clay face masks – This is another good option for those with acne-prone skin since clay face masks draw out impurities from the skin as well as gently exfoliate to remove dead skin cells and prevent clogged pores.
• Cream face masks – These soothing and deep-moisturizing face masks are usually recommended for those with very dry skin, to boost hydration in dry winter months, or to soothe post-procedure skin.
• Exfoliating face masks – This type of mask is typically used for those with dry and acne-prone skin. They remove dead skin cells and promote healthy skin cell turnover. For this reason, they can also be beneficial for treating aging skin.
• Gel face masks – This type of face mask can be formulated to benefit just about any skin type. Depending on the ingredients, a gel face mask can be used for aging, acne-prone, or dry skin. Because they are gel-based, these face masks are easily absorbed into the skin for maximum efficacy and decreased risk of clogged pores.

In addition to these types of face masks, you can also find options like sheet masks. These face masks may be any of the types described above. The difference is in how they’re applied. A sheet mask has the face mask ingredient pre-applied to a sheet that you can place directly onto your face for easy application. In addition, to use as part of your regular skincare routine, sheet masks are also a great option to soothe skin after skin treatments you may receive at your dermatologist’s office.

Incorporating Face Masks into Your Skincare Routine

Face masks should typically be incorporated into evening skincare routines to soothe and heal. After cleansing and using a toner to ensure the pores are clear and open to absorb the active ingredients, apply the face mask to the skin. In most cases, you’ll only need to use face masks a few times a week, but depending on the type of face mask, you can use them more or less often.

How to Choose the Best Skincare Face Mask

When it’s time to choose the right face mask, consider your specific skincare needs, and look for a face mask with ingredients that can help you achieve them. While there’s no face mask with active ingredients that will work for every skincare need, there are several face mask options available at DermSkincare that will leave your skin looking and feeling great, including:

Epionce Enriched Firming Mask

The Epionce Enriched Firming Mask is a great option for those looking to boost hydration, soothe skin inflammation and irritation, improve the texture of the skin, and diminish the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles. Formulated with botanicals and emollients that calm the skin and repair the natural lipid barrier, this skincare face mask leaves skin immediately looking brighter and more hydrated as well as maintaining moisture levels for the long term.

Revision Skincare Pore Purifying Clay Mask (formerly “Black Mask”)

The Revision Skincare Pore Purifying Clay Mask helps to clean deep into pores drawing out impurities and oils and leaving behind nothing but healthy, beautiful skin. This face mask also reduces pore size and helps the skin absorb other skincare products.

SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Mask

If you have sensitive skin, you’re having an allergic reaction, or your skin is healing from a dermatologic procedure or other treatment, it’s time to add SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Mask to your skincare routine. This soothing mask offers cooling comfort to relieve itching, reduce redness, and promote healing.

Want to Talk to a Dermatologist About Face Masks & Skincare Products?

The DermSkincare site has a wide range of dermatologist-recommended skincare products, but as any good dermatologist will tell you, the best skincare recommendations should be customized to meet your needs. If you want to learn more about the right face masks or other skincare products for you, it’s time to talk to a dermatologist. The hand-picked list of products on DermSkincare was curated by knowledgeable dermatologists at U.S. Dermatology Partners. If you’re looking for a professional skincare option, the U.S. Dermatology Partners team would be happy to hear from you. Getting started is easy, just take a few moments to complete the online scheduling request form. Once the U.S. Dermatology Partners team hears from you, they’ll be in touch to finalize the details of your visit.