When it comes to products like face masks, these days, I look for different things than I did while still battling acne. Back when I struggled with an extremely oily skin I loved products that left my skin feeling dry and completely matte. Today, I’m all about hydrated, plumped skin.
Because that’s exactly what it needs.
Most of the time, since getting off Accutane, my skin feels dry and tight. Moisturizers and serums are no longer enough, which is why I love a good moisturizing treatment, like a face mask.
Here’s the thing about face masks though: when your skin feels extremely dry and sensitive, you sort of expect everything to burn and irritate it. This includes face masks. Fortunately, there is a nice selection of products that deliver.
These are the four that I currently have in rotation.
LIERAC MOISTURIZING RESCUE MASK
This mask* is a plump-master. I love the fact that it comes in a tube- it makes the application completely mess-free. Active ingredients include Rose Extract, Camellia Oil, and Hydra O2 Complex. It does have a delicate fragrance, but it doesn’t irritate my skin. I’ve been using this mask almost daily, over the last couple of weeks and I love the way it makes my skin feel- it’s great for rehydrating and plumping dull skin. Also works nicely as an overnight treatment.
ERBORIAN BAMBOO WATERLOCK MASK
This waterlock mask* has a fun, aqua-gel texture. It has a slight fragrance (formulated from essential oils) but just like the Rescue Mask, it doesn’t irritate my skin at all and it doesn’t linger on one bit. You can either apply a thick layer and wash it off after 10 minutes, or apply a thin layer and use as a leave-on treatment (this works especially well when done overnight). A great thing about this mask is that you only need a small amount as a little bit goes a very long way. After you wash it off you are left with skin that feels plump, smooth and hydrated.
CLINIQUE MOISTURE SURGE OVERNIGHT MASK
Moisture Surge moisturizer from Clinique is a cult-favorite and one of my favorite moisturizers of all time. It’s probably one of the most lightweight, yet hydrating products I’ve ever tried. The Moisture Surge Overnight Mask has a texture and feel of a rich face cream. It’s heavier than the Moisture Surge Moisturizer, a bit richer but still, it doesn’t feel greasy. I absolutely loved using this during my Accutane treatment, but unlike the other three masks mentioned here, this doesn’t do much when it comes to plumping the skin. I also find that I really have to use a thick layer for this to work on my extremely dry skin, but I love that it comes in a tube and the fact that when used as an overnight treatment, it leaves my skin feeling very comfortable and hydrated and it doesn’t irritate it.
COMPLEX BEAUTY THIRST QUENCHER
Whenever I talk about face masks, I almost always mention Complex Beauty and their Ocean Potion mask. Thirst Quencher is another solid favorite. The texture is very similar to that of the Erborian mask– very much gel-like. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid, rosehip and jojoba oils, organic aloe, frankincense and organic oat. Thirst Quencher gives the skin that nice, cooling effect and once you wash it off, your skin will feel soft, smooth and plump. It’s the only out of these four masks that has an initial tingling/slight burning effect on days when my skin feels extremely sensitive, that disappears after about 20 seconds or so. I usually leave this mask on for about 20 minutes, wash it off and follow up with a hyaluronic acid serum and a balm, like The Balm from Soapwalla. This combo leaves my skin feeling extremely soft, plumped, smooth, soft and hydrated; it gives you that “OMG! I can’t stop touching my face” kind of feeling.
Erborian Bamboo Waterlock Mask (top) and Complex Beauty Thirst Quencher (bottom). My only wish with these two is that they came in a tube packaging. Other than that, love them both.
While I love using all four of these as overnight treatments or leave them on when I’m just staying in and going makeup-free, I wouldn’t recommend using these under your makeup. I love using them before applying makeup though, and washing them off. The Lierac mask is actually one of my favorites to use before applying makeup. I just apply a nice layer, leave it on for about 10 minutes and then wash it off, following with a serum/moisturizer and a hydrating primer.
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