Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Facial

Woman applying face mask
 by Mayank

Types of Facial Masks

Every skin type can benefit from a facial mask. The problem isn’t enjoying them; it’s finding the perfect type for each skin type and skin problem. There seems to be an endless list of combinations to try and narrowing down the choices can be frustrating at times.

Face masks can accomplish a plethora of skin-boosting benefits. They can soothe dry skin, eliminate and prevent blemishes, prevent oily spots and help skin glow. Here are some of the best types of facial masks to improve skin.

 

Woman taking off her eye mask

Eye Masks
If a specific area of the face needs to be treated, a full facial mask might not be necessary. Eye masks are a great way to get fast, great results for puffy eyes and wrinkled, sagging skin. They can be applied during the morning while eating breakfast or completing a few tasks around the home. Results last all day, if not longer, and with plenty of over the counter treatments available, there’s no need for measuring or mixing.

Coffee Masks
Just like it helps to perk up your brain, a facial mask with coffee as the main ingredient can perk up facial skin. It can help with under eye puffiness and really brighten up the complexion, all in a matter of minutes. The smell is also heavenly and surprisingly relaxing.

Charcoal Masks
For those who have never tried a charcoal mask, the benefits can be incredibly impressive. Activated charcoal can help to draw out impurities from pores and prevent blemishes from ever forming in the first place, while eliminating any existing imperfections. For anyone suffering from acne, a charcoal mask is highly recommended as both a treatment and preventative measure.

Woman applying clay mask

Clay Masks
Probably the most popular type of facial mask, clay masks work for pretty much every skin type. They’re versatile yet effective. Despite clay masks being the most popular, most people use them incorrectly. It’s important to understand that the mask is doing the most for your skin when it is still damp. If the mask is allowed to completely dry, it can actually have a negative effect by causing irritation and dehydration.

Homemade Masks
Making homemade masks out of ingredients found in the refrigerator seems to be all the rage lately. Mother Nature has provided plenty of fresh ingredients that can transform skin. There’s really no limit to what can be mixed together. Try berries, avocado, yogurt, honey, oats and more. Just be sure to mix the ingredients right before using them and avoid storing leftovers for too long.

Facial masks are a great way to improve skin tone, eliminate blemishes and add a refreshing and energizing glow. Use facial masks for special occasions, as part of a weekly skin care regimen or on an as needed basis for skin issues.

Whether homemade or store-bought, facial masks should always be used according to specific instructions to avoid negative side effects. Never be afraid to try a new facial mask. There’s always a new combination of beneficial ingredients to experiment with.

in Look Well 0 comments
Asian woman touching her face
 by Mayank

Trending: The Asianification of Skin Care

The influence of Asia on beauty concepts, techniques, and treatments, also referred to as Asianification, took 2015 by storm and it’s showed no sign of slowing down in 2016. The global beauty business is massive, and Asia certainly seems to be at the forefront of it. Many western consumers are becoming increasingly focused on using products that include more natural elements. It’s also about products that combat environmental factors while helping skin to look more youthful with a glowing-from-the-inside-out appearance. The more benefits the product has, the better. Japan has long been a hot spot for trends, but there’s also an increase in fantastic developments emerging from South Korea and China. BB Creams have already been incorporated into many a beauty arsenal, but let’s talk about some other beauty trends that could take your skin care regimen to another level.

Sleeping Masks
The skin works hard to repair itself while you’re sleeping, and helping it along a bit can do wonders for waking up with skin that looks refreshed, hydrated, and brighter. Sleeping masks can add a huge dose of moisture to dry skin. You typically use it only once or twice a week, leave it on overnight, then wash it off in the morning.

Cushion Compact
They’ve been around for awhile, but the popularity of cushion compacts is steadily increasing. The product basically consists of airtight packaging that includes a sponge that’s soaked in the foundation. You can build up the lightweight multi-tasking formula on your skin and it provides even coverage. Additionally, if you’ve ever had a foundation spillage in your purse, you already know a cushion compact can be a big asset.

Splash Masks
It’s the “mask” that doesn’t require slathering a product on your face and letting it sit there for 15-minutes. All you have to do is add the liquid to water, splash it onto your face, pat it in, and you’re done. The concentrated ingredients can do wonders for your skin and all it takes is less than a minute to get them going.

Sheet mask

Sheet Masks
Using sheet masks can take a little getting used to considering on your face is a piece of cloth or paper that’s soaked with ingredients and has strategically cut holes in it. The mask presses all the good ingredients onto your face for the directed amount of time, then you’ll toss out the mask and usually pat the remaining ingredients into your skin rather than wash your face. They’re individually packaged and – depending on the mask – you can buy them in singles or in a box of multiples. There are a variety of different types of sheet masks, however, so it’s all about finding one that’s best for you.

Women from Japan, South Korea, and China know what they’re talking about when it comes to beauty and skin care. They’re smart, educated about the products and techniques, and they expect to get good results for their money. One of the great things is that many of these products don’t cost a substantial amount of money, especially for the exceptional results that they provide. It’s no surprise that Asianification has taken hold of the global beauty world.

in Look Well 0 comments
Woman getting a facial massage.
 by Mayank

Anti-Aging Facial Treatments

The desire to look younger is nothing new, ancient cultures had many potions or elixirs designed to keep a youthful appearance. Breakthroughs in science have provided some incredible anti-aging skincare ingredients, but there is no magic product that will erase years from your face as soon as you apply it. A great skincare routine is a huge part of maintaining a young visage, but when you need a little extra help, there are anti-aging facial treatments available. Below, find out about three of the least invasive, yet effective, anti-aging facial treatments.

Facial Massage
You know if you want to keep your arms and legs looking long and lean you need to work the muscles and keep them toned, but you probably don’t think about your face that way. Ymedisour facial muscles require attention as well to maintain a younger looking face particularly because when your facial muscles are tense, they encourage wrinkles. Julia Baba, an esthetician at The Spa in Toronto’s Four Seasons Hotel, advocates for facial massages saying they are an amazing anti-aging treatment that you can do daily at home and just one to two minutes per day can provide anti-aging results. The main rule when giving yourself a facial massage is to avoid pulling or tugging at your skin. Use different motions like tapping or softly pinching near your eyebrow area and always massage in an upward circular motion because as Baba says, “you want to work against gravity so that everything goes up.”

Woman getting laser treatment.

Energy Facial Treatments
Lasers are a popular and effective method of addressing signs of aging on your face, but they are also a significant investment and may require multiple treatments. Energy facial treatments are growing in popularity as are the number of medispas or cosmeceutical treatments. The energy facial you receive will be based upon the doctor or medispa you visit, but these treatments have one major thing in common: heat. Many treatments use ultrasound, radio-frequency rays or micro-currents to firm your skin. The idea behind energy facial treatments, which you could do on your lunch hour and return immediately to work, is that the heat used “tricks” your skin into believing it has been damaged so that your skin will remedy the problem with an increase in collagen production. Energy facial treatments are non-invasive and provide immediate results, though the results are temporary.

spa you visit, but these treatments have one major thing in common: heat. Many treatments use ultrasound, radio-frequency rays or micro-currents to firm your skin. The idea behind energy facial treatments, which you could do on your lunch hour and return immediately to work, is that the heat used “tricks” your skin into believing it has been damaged so that your skin will remedy the problem with an increase in collagen production. Energy facial treatments are non-invasive and provide immediate results, though the results are temporary.

Facial Fillers
Botox has been around for ages and it continues to be used frequently as a way to treat sagging skin and wrinkles. While women today want to eradicate wrinkles and look younger, many women are concerned that traditional plastic surgery or Botox will look “fake” and “plastic,” and they desire a treatment that reduces wrinkles and leaves them looking younger, but still natural. When done by a skilled cosmetic dermatologist or plastic surgeon, fillers can have a dramatic effect while remaining more natural looking. Hyaluronic acid as a filler is gaining popularity not only because it fills in lines and wrinkles, but it can actually lift problem areas as well. Frederic Brandt, a dermatologist in Miami and New York, says that when done properly, one can expect a replenishment of youthful contours such as chins, jawlines, cheekbones and temples and lifting of the face. On certain areas, you can place the filler under the muscle, which will add volume but also give a more contoured and structural effect.” According to Brandt, these facial fillers can last up to two years, but proceed with caution when selecting a doctor. “The filler is only part of the equation. The technique in which it’s used is an equally or more important part of the treatment,” notes Brandt.

Prevention is key in the fight against aging, so protecting your skin as best as you can early on will result in less work as you age. Always wear an SPF not only on your face, but down your neck and chest too because these areas show signs of aging as much, if not more, than your face. Be consistent with proper skincare and add a facial massage to your nightly routine and when you need more serious help, look for anti-aging facial treatments like the above to give you a younger, yet natural looking face.

in Look Well 0 comments

logo

UNLOCK
20% OFF

Sign up and get 20% off your first purchase!

No thanks, I'll pay full price