Ideas From My Sofa: Is It Potential to Over-Masks Your Face?
Like a great bra, a great face masks will be useful. Each can supply assist, aid, and even a lift of confidence once you want it most. That stated, simply as an ill-fitted bra may cause chest wrinkles, ache, and shoulder marks, over-masking has its downsides too. May or not it’s that the dry, irritated feeling post-mask is a results of utilizing an excessive amount of, too typically? Or is it simply the components exhausting at work? Spoiler: It is the previous. We sought out solutions to our questions from two board-certified dermatologists, Dr. Jessie Cheung and Dr. Hadley King. Beneath, learn on for his or her knowledgeable recommendation.
What Is “Over-Masking”?
Over-masking refers to making use of a face masks too regularly. Based on Cheung, you may know you are over-masking in the event you discover your pores and skin beginning to get dry, itchy, or flaky. “An excessive amount of masking may end up in pores and skin barrier disruption, leading to irritation and irritation.” The excellent news? Relying on what finish consequence you are in search of and the perform of the product itself, you may afford to masks extra with some formulation versus others. “Reasonably than the kind of the masks (hydrogel, sheet, peel-off), it is extra concerning the precise components,” says King.
“Masks formulated to be hydrating, soothing, or moisturizing can be utilized extra regularly than masks formulated to be exfoliating or drying”—extra on that later.
Over-Masking and Your Pores and skin
Let’s face it: Masking has change into a staple in our self-care routines. We’ll be the primary to confess it is easy to get carried away on our quest for plump, bouncy, lifted pores and skin. However as with many issues (because it pertains to skincare), an excessive amount of of a great factor has its dangers. “If a masks has energetic components designed to exfoliate (like salicylic acid) or has drying components (like clay) and it is used too typically, it may end up in dry, irritated pores and skin,” says King. “You probably have significantly oily pores and skin, then you definitely could possibly tolerate these masks extra typically, however if in case you have dry or delicate pores and skin, then it might be finest to keep away from all these masks altogether.” She provides that for these with extraordinarily delicate pores and skin, over-masking might result in flares of eczema or rosacea. Cheung agrees, noting that utilizing face masks too regularly can create irritant contact dermatitis. “Moist pores and skin permits potential irritants and allergens to go by means of the pores and skin barrier, which can heed a sensitivity to any ingredient in your masks, corresponding to fragrances or preservatives.”
What Is Irritant Contact Dermatitis?
Irritant contact dermatitis refers to irritation of the pores and skin attributable to a chemical (a harsh detergent, a solvent like nail polish remover, or an acid). It seems on the pores and skin as a painful rash.
DIY Masks and Over-Masking
For those who’re the DIY face masks sort, you might discover consolation in realizing that each consultants agree that DIY masks are typically delicate, as they do not comprise preservatives and chemical compounds. Nonetheless, King notes that if there are any components which might be probably exfoliating (for instance, lactic acid present in yogurt), then it is nonetheless doable to over-mask.” And, in response to Cheung, you may develop a sensitivity to pure components at any time, which may additionally result in irritation.
Concocting your individual face masks? Particularly if in case you have delicate pores and skin, attempt a patch take a look at on the interior a part of your arm to make sure no irritation happens.
Easy methods to Keep away from Over-Masking
To get optimum outcomes, King says to be conscious of the perform of the masks. If it is a masks designed for hydrating and moisturizing, then you’ve got extra freedom to make use of it extra regularly (a number of occasions every week is normally secure). Nonetheless, masks with features aside from moisturizing (as an illustration, ones with energetic components like AHAs, BHAs, or retinol) ought to be used beginning as soon as per week. And in terms of multi-masking—aka layering face masks throughout one session—each consultants conform to be cautious. “Multi-masking may fit, however I might suggest specializing in one concern and one product at a time, and contemplate not treating areas that do not want these components,” notes King. “For instance, in case you are utilizing a clay and salicylic acid masks for greasy pores and skin within the t-zone, then deal with solely the t-zone.”
What to Look For in a Face Masks
The situation of your pores and skin would require various masks with completely different capabilities, however it may be tough navigating ingredient labels. Beneath is a fast information on what to search for primarily based in your wants to make sure you do not overdo it.
- Hyaluronic acid or glycerin: for hydration
- Fruit enzymes: mild exfoliation for smoothing and brightening
- Salicylic acid: for greasy and acne-prone pores and skin
- Clay: for detoxifying
- Antioxidants: for anti-aging, protecting advantages
- Anti-inflammatory components: to assist soothe pores and skin and reduce redness (aloe vera, chamomile, CBD)
Publish-Masks Necessities
King and Cheung agree that what you place in your pores and skin after masking is simply as vital because the masks itself.
Cheung notes making use of an occlusive moisturizer after eradicating your masks will forestall any extra lack of moisture and assist seal within the useful masks components. As its title insinuates, this moisturizer-primer hybrid options water-locking expertise that creates a wholesome pores and skin barrier.
Utilizing a face masks with chemical exfoliants? Apply a sunscreen post-masking to keep away from sunburns. This one is sheer and highly effective, providing broad-spectrum UVA/UVB safety and pure extracts to strengthen the pores and skin barrier because it protects.
“Oily pores and skin that is simply accomplished a clay-based masks ought to go for a lightweight gel moisturizer or a hyaluronic acid serum,” recommends King. Tatcha’s gel moisturizer is particularly designed for greasy pores and skin—it’s going to hydrate, refine, and stability the pores and skin with out feeling heavy.
