I love how indulgent they feel, but there are some masks I’ve tried where they feel nice, but I have no idea if they’re actually doing anything!
— Christine
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I would rather spend on regular use skincare. Masks are not my thing at all.
Eons ago in a galaxy far far away, I used to use a mask the night before a formal event. There was a rose mask by Sisley I particularly enjoyed. I don’t know it actually did anything, but prepping was part of the fun.
Honestly? I don’t use face masks. I find them an extra and usually unnecessary step in skin care plus I hate the waiting around for them to dry. I’m not the type of person who can just sit and relax, I’m always go go go! I’ve also got sensitive skin so the likely hood of a mask causing irritation or breakouts is very high thus I don’t like to try anything new on my face. The only mask I have really liked and notice a difference with is the Ole Henrisken cold plunge pore mask. It feels good and it isn’t goopy so doesn’t slide off while I’m working on other things while it dries down. I got that from a friend over a year ago and it is now gone and I won’t repurchase, but if anyone gifted it to me I’d use it. Most other masks I’ve been gifted or receive samples of I give to my friend who loves masks.
What I love is how pampered they make me feel. But, it’s the ones that either deeply moisturize or ones that dry up and I can see the oil coming up out of my pores that give me some proof that they’re improving my skin’s actual condition that I gravitate towards and enjoy most.
I am not specifically a big fan of face masks, and I feel that my regular skincare provides me enough benefits to not need them.
I particularly dislike sheet or silicone face masks, I feel claustrophobic in them and the wet sensation does not appeal to me. It’s quite odd, given that I don’t have issues with wearing face masks as in face coverings during this pandemic.
I also dislike to wash off masks, needing to rinse extensively, water dripping down on my neck and hands. But usually I’ll remove masks in the shower, more practical, less messy for me.
The only masks I actively use are clay / mud masks, but more of a memorabilia from my oily acne teen years. Usually they tend to be rough and drying, but in the last years I discovered amazing formulas, like Paula’s Choice Purifying Clay Mask, which has the benefits of a clay mask while leaving my skin soft and surprisingly hydrated.
I also sometimes like to use hydrating masks as an overnight treatment / moisturizer, rather than applying and rinsing. Sometimes my skin needs a little more than my regular moisturizer can provide and hydrating masks do the job.
One thing I don’t like about masks is that they are mainly targeted for pampering and indulgent moments, so it’s hard to find good formulas that are not fragrances.
Echoing what you have said, I feel like most masks are more gimmick than they are legitimate skincare. They feel nice, and can be a great way to spend some time focusing on yourself and relaxing- as long as you don’t expect dermatologist level results. The masks I feel are effective tend to be more harsh, so are also easier to abuse. I use an AHA chemical peel about once a month, and it is effective but can easily burn and damage my skin because of it’s strength if I don’t pay attention to the clock.
It took me a minute to realize you were talking about the skin care kind.
I think I liked masks more when I was younger and had truly oily skin. There were a few masks that I felt helped (at least temporarily) keep my oily skin tamed or helped calm my irritated skin.
As my skin has become more combination and I have developed a more focused skin care routine, I find I don’t gravitate to masks much. I like the idea of them – I like the idea of having a moment for pampering and relaxing, but the reality never pans out. I wear glasses, so it’s just 15-30 minutes where I’m blind instead of maybe also reading my book and enjoying a cup of tea and it just means I’m washing my face twice. I never seem to be in the mood for them when it’s ideal timing to really enjoy it so I rarely do them.
I’ve gotten a few “overnight masks” which I’m not really sure do anything that a good moisturizer and my current serum routine doesn’t already do, but sometimes I just enjoy the sensory experience of it.
I love skincare almost as much as makeup. For me face masks are the ultimate self love indulgence. I use different type of masks depending on what my skin needs that day. And I definitely see a difference in my skin when using a specific mask regularly, or for a specific skin concern
I don’t like a ton of masks. My skin is on the sensitive side so a lot of them irritate my skin. But, I love the I’m From Honey Mask. It adds moisture and balance out my combo skin. I occasionally use sheet masks to help out during the winter, I live in a cold, dry environment.
I like how using a face mask makes you rest whilst it takes effect, but like you Christine, I am not sure how much they actually do in the long term. Certainly the one I have used made my skin feel good afterwards. I don’t use sleeping masks though.
I prefer masks that are only on for about 10-15 minutes or so and they have to be non fragrant for my sensitive skin.
I hardly ever use them.
I like masks in general and use one perhaps every 1-2 weeks. Skincare masks being so trendy lets everyone have lots of options. Perhaps my only gripe is that many masks are laden with fragrance or botanical extracts and I purposely avoid those to reduce the risk of developing allergies or irritation (bc I’m already allergic to over 40 different things).
In my vanity, I like to keep around a clay mask for when I feel a breakout coming on. Right now, I’m using the Inkey List Kaolin Clay Mask. I also really like the skyn iceland undereye patches (I feel like those are in the realm of sheet masks): very soothing if refrigerated first before using to relieve eye strain or headaches. If those wash-off peels like The Ordinary Peeling Solution count as masks: I like those too. I’ve actually never used a sheet mask but I imagine it would be lovely to put a chilled sheet mask on your face to help cool off a bit.
My skin is getting drier so I am using moisturizing masks a lot more right now. I don’t mind using masks at all as long as they are not sheet masks, they feel too wet and slimy to me. I have just opened the Glamglow Berryglow Recovery Mask and I am reserving my judgement until I use it a bit more. I love pampering my skin and I don’t mind spending time and effort on keeping my skin looking healthy, toned and a little bit younger.
I am a mask user. Hate the sheet masks that are very in. I use a mask twice a week, Matlin and Goetz Detox Mask I love the smell and the bubbling feels with it is deep cleaning the skin. A moisturizing one on a Sunday Emma Hardie at the moment. Masks have been part of my routine since I was a teenager.
I have enjoyed Ole Henriksen’s Phat Glow Facial Mask but have run out. I found it made my skin feel really supple after using, although I don’t know if there’s any long term results.
I’ve also tried a few from GlamGlow, some of which I feel are gimmicky.
When it’s time to remove masks, I use a large Makeup Eraser cloth soaked in warm water. It’s the cleanest/less messy way to remove, and uses less water.
I’ve heard good things about DE F-Bomb and might grab that one, or another Phat the next time Sephora has a sale.
I have a couple of jars of the Ethiopian honey moisturizing mask from The Body Shop that I love. It’s made a big difference in my skin when I use it regularly so of course it’s been discontinued. I’m very slowly going through what I have left while I look for something new. Sheet masks aren’t my thing though. As many times as I’ve tried them, I can’t get over how repulsed I am by the sensation of cold and wet goopiness on my face.