Facial Masks For Firm Glowing Skin

 

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    Would you like a hydrated, glowing, renewed skin in about 15 minutes? Journalist Ana Carolina Carvalho wrote an article for Máxima Magazine explaining the benefits and the secrets of face skin masks.

    According to cosmetologists and dermatologists interviewed by the magazine, their nanospheres and liposomes, really small particles that transport the active ingredients to skin's deep tissues, present in those masks' formulations produce diverse benefits to your skin, such as hydrating, antiacne, tensioning, and lightening skin blemishes effects within a short timeframe.

    Ingredients with high occlusion power enhance the effects of the masks by creating a barrier for the skin, providing a hot moist envyronment that enable the penetrating and acting of other active ingredients.

Classification of Masks: by base medium

    Masks divide in two main categories: moist and dry.

Moist 

    In Liquid, Gel or Paste

• Don't create a pelicule/film
• Don't dry in the skin
• Formulated with different types of ingredients
• Guarantee a soft sensation for the skin

Dry 

    In Wax, Plastic or Powder

    Wax Masks

• Occlusives
• Possess tensioning action
• Help with skin hydration

    Plastic Masks

    Create a film on the skin (which must be removed after application time).

    Powder Masks

• Used by beauticians.
• Used for specific treatment, such as acne.

        Clay Masks

    Clay masks are part of aesthetic protocols thanks to their properties that treat skin and scalp, and can be used in cold or hot masks on the face and body.

    Phytoterápica Product Guide presents the benefits of the five main types of clay, as well as recipes for firmer, more elastic skin.

    Yellow

    Toning

• Promotes nutrition, luminosity and skin toning.
• Eliminates residues.
• Prevent premature aging skin.
• Excellent in treating melasma and sunspot.
• Revitalizes the skin.

    White

    Lighting

• Helps clearing blemishes.
• Recommended for sensitive skin.
• Helps stimulating collagen and elastin, reducing expression lines.

    Black

    Renewing

• Helps with clearing blemishes.
• Contributes to reducing expression lines.
• Helps in the aesthetic protocols against skin's sagging.

    Green 

    Astringent

• Recommended for treating acne, pimples and oily skin.
• Indicated for reducing stretch marks.

    Red

    Tensioning

• Stimulates blood circulation.
• Indicated for lymphatic drainage.
• Helps in the aesthetic protocols for sagging, wrinkles and expression lines.

        Mask for collagen-producing skin

        Take a glass, plastic, wooden or silicone pot and mix:

• 5 drops of Dragon's Blood Sap
• 1 (table)spoon of Yellow or Red Clay
• 1 drop of Palmarosa or Cedar Essential Oil
• 1 (table)spoon of Verbena Hydrolate

1. Make a paste with the clay and the water from the pot.
2. Mix the Sap and the essential oils.
3. Apply it to your previously cleansed face, neck and cleavage.
4. Let it rest for between 10 and 15 minutes.
5. Spray the hydrolate on your skin to keep it moist; Don't let the clay to dry on your skin.

        Mask for a firm elastic skin

• 1 (tea)spoon of Aloe Vera Extract
• 1 (table)spoon of Phytoterápica White Clay
• 1 drop of Palmarosa or Geranium Essential Oil
• 1 (tea)spoon of Palmarosa Hydrolate

1. Mix the extract, clay and essential oils until a paste forms.
2. Apply it to your face and neck.
3. Let it rest for 20 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, moisten your skin with the hydrolate; Don't let your skin dry with the clay on top,
5. Apply this mask once a week.

        Chocolate Mask rejuvenating for the skin 

    Ana Maria Magazine listened to dermatologists about the powerful moisturizing effect of cocoa butter, rich in essential fatty acids responsible for nourishing the skin.

    Products containing this ingredient help restore smoothness and radiance to the skin.

    Bellow are the ingredients you'll need and instructions for a homemade cocoa butter clay mask (not recommended for oily or acne-prone skin).

• 1 (table)spoon of semi-sweet chocolate
• 1 (table)spoon of Pink Clay (found in health food stores)

1. Melt chocolate in double boiler.
2. Wait for it to cool until warm and spread over the face, avoiding eye and lip area.
3. Let it rest for 20 minutes.
4. Wash it out with mild soap and water.

Classification of Masks: by effect

    As for its benefits for the skin, you can find masks that are:

Soothing

With plant extracts of chamomile, calendula and azulene.

    E.g.: Cucumber Mask, Avon Care

    With extracts of cucumber, hammamelis and green tea, it regenerates the complexion and recovers its freshness and tone.

Nourishing

Based on vitamin A and E, elastin, placenta and ginseng.

    E.g.: HydraMask Fresh, Veer Cosmetics 

    Nourish the skin with red berries and vitamin E.

Moisturizer

With amino acids, vitamins, fruit acids.

    E.g.: TimeWise Gel Masque Hydratant Régénérateur, Mary Kay 

    Immediately hydrates the skin, minimizing expression lines.

Astringents or anti-acne

With hammamelis, propolis and melissa.

    E.g.: (Astringent) Pomegranate Facial Cleansing Mask, Korres

    With pomegranate extract, white clay, zinc and jojoba oil.

    E.g.: (Anti-acne) 2 in 1 Pure Zone Anti-Blackhead Gel Cream, L'Oréal Paris

    Absorbs excessive oil from the skin.

Rejuvenating

With glycolic acid, vitamins A, C and E.

    Clarité Mask, Dermage

    Promotes cell renewal, with a high concentration of glycolic acid.

How to apply face masks the right way

1. Cleanse your facial skin with cleansing milk or wash with liquid soap and rinse well with warm water.

2. Choose a facial scrub with small grains and apply it to your face in gentle circular movements for three minutes.

Rinse and dry.
Apply a tonic lotion specific to your skin type.
Let it dry.

3. Start spreading the mask over the forehead, from the eyebrow line until the scalp.

Cover your nose and cheeks, applying it with finger movements from the face center to its borders.

Finish applying it to your chin and neck, spreading it upwards, following the cleavage-neck direction.

4. Obey the pause time and recommended removal as described in the instructions on the mask packaging.

Some products do not require rinsing, creating a film on the skin that can only be removed with dry hands.

    Have you tried face masks yet? Which is your favorite for your skin type?

Sources:

Máxima Magazine. Ano 2 N.9 Issue 21 February 2012, Ed. Abril maxima.pt

Phytoterápica Product Guide. November 2023 phytoterapica.com.br

Ana Maria Magazine. N.800, February 10th 2012, Ed. Abril revistaanamaria.com.br