When it comes to skincare, we tend to treat face masks as miracle workers in the pursuit of flawless skin. Not to mention it offers an opportunity to snap a selfie mid-mask, or if you’re like me, share your weekly skincare routine on social media (so if you’re not tuning in, you’re totally missing out!). But regardless of whether the mask is meant to moisturize, detoxify, brighten, or lift, we might not be making the most of the stuff we put on our faces.
While sheet masks do an amazing job of softening, smoothing, and brightening on skin’s surface, Sumbody Skincare Founder Deborah Burnes recently told SheFinds that those mid-pore masks, which feed skin with vitamins, nutrients, and other active ingredients, and deep-pore masks, which break up all the old dirt and grease, need more effort to be effective. Letting your mask of choice dry as you scroll through your social media feed won’t do as much as you’d expect as it only works on the surface. And in some instances, it can exacerbate skin issues like acne and make skin look worse. “Using a mask this way reverts it back to a powder which clogs your pores rather than feed them; that means your pores are being filled with more gunk,” she said.
Her suggestion? Slather on your face mask after stepping into the shower. It helps open up the pores and allows the mask to penetrate the pores even deeper. It’s why facialists use a steam machine during every treatment so that whatever’s been lurking deep in your pores will come to the surface allow whatever skincare products to sink in further. “It’s the beautiful moist heat in the shower that acts like a gentle steam and creates this skin-loving magic,” Burnes explained to the site. “The steam also keeps the active ingredients alive and viable and keeps the mask potent.”
Talk about an easy and cost-effective way to get that spa experience! It looks like I’ll have to start snapping my #SkincareSunday Showdown stories from my shower — hey I’m already prone to taking pictures in my bathroom anyway.