When your skin needs a reset, an exfoliating face mask might just do the trick. But with a wide array of available options on the market, it can be challenging to shop totally unawares. So, keep it here where we highlight our top pick… but not without taking a deep dive into the ever abundant glory that is a top-notch exfoliating face mask!
IN A NUTSHELL
Main Takeaways: Exfoliating face masks can be the difference between dull and dirty skin and a radically clean, radiant complexion. For best results, and to preserve the youth and function of your skin, select a gentle formula enriched with a bounty of botanicals that will reveal bright and beautiful skin without stripping.
Good to Know: When choosing any sort of exfoliating product, do your best to avoid tones made with granular, physical abrasives. Repeat use of these can cause microtears in the skin and ultimately lead to premature aging.
Recommended Products: Prince Charcoal Detox Mask.
What Is an Exfoliating Face Mask?
Exfoliating masks are skincare products that should be periodically applied to help rid the skin of any dead cells and debris, while drawing out impurities to unclog pores. A good exfoliating mask will be made of quality ingredients to be well tolerated by skin anywhere from 2-3 times a week, and formulated to offer a number of benefits for your skin. Facial masks that include naturally-derived ingredients to detox and purify, such as activated charcoal, kaolin clay, and bentonite clay, are ideal for exfoliating most skin types.
Benefits of Exfoliating Face Masks
They smooth the skin.
Exfoliation is the process by which the surface of your skin is refined by removing, or sloughing away, dry, flaky, and most importantly dead skin cells. Regularly applying an exfoliating face mask results in a literally polished complexion that feels softer and smoother.
They help get your glow on.
As you can imagine, the removal of dead cells helps to reveal the fresh, vibrant skin underneath. This imparts a bright and radiant glow and can also help minimize any hyperpigmentation or uneven skin tone.
Exfoliating face masks are anti-aging.
With an ability to refine tone and texture, the regular use of an exfoliating face mask can result in the minimized appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots. Further, the removal of dead skin tends to augment the resurgence of your body’s largest organ. So you end up not just revealing fresh skin, but also creating new healthy cells at a higher frequency, which can help your complexion appear more youthful. Certain formulas may also have a skin-plumping effect for a more ageless appearance.
They make for healthier skin.
The positive changes brought about by incorporating an exfoliating face mask into your routine don’t just affect your skin’s appearance, but also its function and health. Exfoliating masks travel deep into pores, unclogging them and drawing out impurities like dirt, oils, bacteria, and other debris that would otherwise lead to breakouts or enlarged pores… a task not easily accomplished simply by cleansing. For radically clean and healthy skin, give an exfoliating mask a go.
Exfoliation helps your other skincare products work more effectively.
By clearing away any dead skin cells, you are effectively getting rid of debris that can prevent your other products from being as effective as possible. Also, the pore clearing and deep cleansing that ultimately ensues from using an exfoliating face mask also helps your products penetrate even deeper for greater results. With this clean and clear canvas, makeup wearers will be happy to know that cosmetics are bound to go on way smoother. Total bonus round!
How To Use an Exfoliating Face Mask
1. Cleanse.
Wash your face with a facial cleanser to remove any surface impurities. Be sure to select a product that is both gentle and effective, like So Clean! This botanical-rich cleanser is powered by 13 nourishing actives and works to clarify and moisturize for the perfect pre-exfoliation cleanse! Then pat your skin dry with a soft and clean facial cloth.
2. Apply your mask.
Using a soft bristle brush or your gentlest, cleanest fingertip-touch, apply the exfoliating mask to all areas of your face except the skin around your eyes.
3. Chill.
Now it’s time to sit back, relax, and chill in your spa feels. Allow the mask to cure on your skin for up to 10 minutes (7 if you have sensitive or dry skin). Then gently wash away with lukewarm water and pat dry.
4. Follow up.
Once you’ve given your freshly exfoliated skin a moment to breathe, apply any serums or other products as you normally would and experience their amplified results. Be sure to slather on a rich and nourishing moisturizer, like our ultra-hydrating H2 Oh Yeah, to seal in all that nutrition and hydration.
How to Use a Steamer with an Exfoliating Face Mask
Want to really up the ante when it comes to masking? Incorporating some steam can really amplify the effects of your mask… heck, it can do so for the rest of your skincare products too! With a warm soothing mist flooding your face, your skin will get even softer and your pores more open, making way for greater exfoliation, radical cleansing, added hydration, and an undeniable glow. Incorporating one into your routine is super simple. Here’s how to do it:
1. Hydrate.
First, you’ll want to hydrate your whole body. While steaming hydrates the skin, it can also make you sweat; so drink a glass of water before you begin to protect your overall H2O levels.
2. Cleanse.
Now, cleanse just as you would if you weren’t using the steamer. Remember, less is more and the gentler your product the better.
3. Steam.
Now it’s time to get steamy! Fill your steamer’s tank and let it come to temp. Once it is ready, position it about 6-10 inches from your face (no closer or you could scorch your skin– ouch!), sit back, relax, and let it work its magic. You can safely hang out in the steam for up to 10-15 minutes.
4. Rinse.
When the time is up, rinse with lukewarm water then pat your skin dry with a clean facial cloth.
5. Mask up.
Now it’s time to apply your mask! Refer to the application tips above.
6. Continue with your routine.
Lastly, continue with the rest of your routine. This means any toner, serums and eye creams you would normally include with your routine. And we cannot stress it enough: don’t forget that moisturizer!
Best Exfoliating Face Mask
When you need a mask that is effective, yet gentle enough for every skin type, look no further than Fleur and Bee’s Prince Charcoal detox mask.
Carefully crafted from a blend of detoxifying clays, including bentonite and kaolin, and high in hydrators like aloe and vegan glycerin, Prince Charcoal renders a radical clean while helping you avoid the dryness that can sometimes come with your run-of-the-mill mask. Supportive antioxidants from whole sources like green tea and reishi mushroom defend against environmental stressors, while aromatic oils and extracts nourish all skin types for a fresh feel and nutrified appearance. A spa in a jar, our Prince Charcoal Detox Mask will have your skin charged and charmed!
