Do Face Masks Really Work?

Let’s face it — face masks are not pretty. Whether they’re made of an unrecognizable green goop or a plastic sheet that you adhere to your face, both result in you looking more like an alien than you’d ever imagined. 

However, the claim that face masks can improve the appearance and health of your skin is appealing, and it has many people searching for a quick-but-effective skin care fix in mask form. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the best way to enhance your skin.

Here’s what you should know about face masks and how to use them to keep your face looking fresh, healthy and more lustrous.

Wash face, moisturize face, apply makeup. Skin care is simple, right?

There’s nothing wrong with a basic skin care routine, especially if it’s working. But if you’re one of the millions of plagued by skin conditions from acne to redness, you may be looking for a skin care boost. And unfortunately, professional skin care procedures, such as facials, can be pricey.

This is where face masks come in, offering intense skin treatment for a fraction of the cost.

The ingredients from a face mask are kept longer in contact with your skin because of the occlusion phenomenon of the mask on your skin.”

The mask traps the moisture or ingredient in the skin and creates film that helps to either hydrate, moisturize, dry or exfoliate the skin depending on the ingredients used and its purpose. Therefore, face masks allow ingredients to penetrate better into your skin in a short amount of time. Whether it’s salicylic acid for acne, vitamin C for fine lines or retinoid for brightening dark spots, a face mask can offer a more concentrated dose and more intense version of its ingredients compared to other forms of applications.