If you read my past posts, you might have noticed that I
love facial masks. In addition to routine
skincare stuffs such as moisturizers and sunscreens, I believe that two
must-haves in a facial care regime are facial message oils and facial masks. Facial mask is one single thing whose use can
be easily tailored to your skin type and the skin condition of the day based on
your physiological (menstrual) cycle.
I keep a collection of masks at home. However, besides the paper mask, I have never
used any other type of store bought masks without enhancing the mask with my own
ingredients first.
When choosing an ingredient to add, read the ingredient list
on the product label. Pick one or more
ingredient that is already in the product.
For example, if you are using the Queen Helen grape seed peel off mask,
add green grape juice or grape seed powder would be a good choice. If you are using the Queen Helen Vit C/honey peel
off mask, add Vit C powder or liquid and honey would be a good option.
Enhancing the store bought mask with an ingredient that is
already in the product avoids the need to worry about the ingredients
interactions. However, in general, the
ingredient interaction is rare in skincare products even though it is a much
bigger worry when you mix your medications together.
Peel off mask
Peel off mask is the most convenient to use. You can put it on and do whatever you need to
do (pay bills, work on your email, or in my case, write patent applications for
a client). Sometimes, when I am really
on a run, I even drive out with a clear peel off mask on as long as I peel it
off before getting out of the car. Once
the mask is dry, you simply peel it off, cover your fresh face with some
moisturizer, and you are done! It is
absolutely my favorite mask.
Peel off mask is good at exfoliating the skin and deep
cleaning. However, the mask can over-dry
the skin. I notice that adding a little
oil (for example, avocado oil or Vitamin E oil) to the mask helps. The mask is good for general use. It’s especially suitable when your skin is
not super sensitive. A good time to use
peel off mask is the first week to third week during your menstrual cycle.
To enhance the effect of the mask, I usually add additional
ingredient into the mask. For a liquid
ingredient, you can only add about the equivalent of 1/3 the volume of the mask
volume (i.e., i/3 of the liquid ingredient and 2/3 of the original mask). Otherwise, the mixture will be too diluted to
form a peelable mask. Some masks can be
thick and form strong mask film. In
these cases, you can probably dilute the mask a little more.
You can also add solid powder ingredients into a mask. I usually mix the powder into a little water
(flower water or tea, or skin toner) to make a paste. Then, I mix the paste with the mask. Stir in one direction vigorously until you
achieve a uniform mixture.
Here are the ingredients you can add to your peel off mask:
-
Flower water or tea
-
Fruit juice (no sugar added, such as lemon
juice, lime juice, apple juice, grade juice, etc. If you can use fresh squeezed juice. Do so! You only need a small amount.)
-
Green tea or green tea powder
-
Vitamin C (grind tablets into powder, or break a
liquid Vitamin C capsule)
-
Vitamin E (break a liquid Vitamin E capsule)
-
CoQ10 (use very small amount—this compound is
orange colored and will stain your skin)
-
Coix seed powder
-
Oat flour/powder
-
Pearl powder
-
Ginseng powder
-
Grape seed powder (break a capsule or grind a
tablet into powder)
-
Cranberry powder (break a capsule or grind a
tablet into powder)
-
Aspirin powder (grind a tablet into powder. This is my favorite—this mask forms an
excellent glycolic acid peel. Don’t use too often—aspirin will irritate and
sensitize the skin.)
-
Your imagination—you can pretty much add any
other nutritional ingredient you can think of!
Clay mask
Clay mask has the deep cleaning effect. Usually, the mask does not dry out the skin
as the peel off mask does. Clay mask is
washed off. Therefore, it does not cause
as much physical stress to the skin as the peel off mask does. Therefore, it’s good for use during the third
to fourth week of your menstrual cycle.
It’s easy to add additional ingredient into a clay mask. Simply stir in. Be careful with liquid ingredient, you don’t
want your mask to be too diluted. Some
clay masks can be very drying. In those
cases, add a little oil into the clay mask, stir well, and then use.
Here are the ingredients you can add to your clay mask:
-
Flower powder (you can buy rose petal powder
online)
-
Green tea powder
-
Vitamin C (grind tablets into powder)
-
Vitamin E (break a liquid Vitamin E capsule)
-
CoQ10 (use very small amount—this compound is
orange colored and will stain your skin)
-
Coix seed powder
-
Oat flour/powder
-
Pearl powder
-
Ginseng powder
-
Grape seed powder (break a capsule or grind a
tablet into powder)
-
Cranberry powder (break a capsule or grind a
tablet into powder)
-
Aspirin powder (grind a tablet into powder)
-
Your imagination—you can pretty much add any
other nutritional ingredient you can think of!
Gel mask
Gel mask is usually used for hydration purpose. This mask formulation tends to be gentle. If you have super sensitive skin (for
example, in the third week of your menstrual cycle) or dry skin, use this
mask. Some people use gel mask
overnight. I’ve never liked it. I notice that gel mask does affect skin’s
ability to breath and therefore my skin tends to stress out if I leave gel mask
on overnight.
Gel mask is very good for dry or mature (over 55) skin. If you have overly oily skin, gel mask has
the tendency to cause pimple or acne.
So, I would suggest using this mask during the first and second week of
your menstrual cycle. Avoid third or
fourth week during which women’s skin tends to be oily.
Here are the ingredients you can add to your gel mask:
-
Flower water or tea
-
Fruit juice
-
Mashed banana
-
Oat meal supernatant
-
Vitamin C (break a liquid Vitamin C capsule)
-
Vitamin E (break a liquid Vitamin E capsule)
-
Your imagination—you can pretty much add any
other nutritional ingredient you can think of!
Paper mask
Paper mask is very convenient. I don’t usually add extra ingredient to paper
mask. I often carry paper masks when
traveling because of the convenience and the liquid carry-on restriction in the
airports.
Thanks for reading!
Connie
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