After a frustrating day dealing with bad skin — clogged pores, hormonal breakouts and blackheads are all regular features of my face — all that will comfort me is a good face mask. I look for masks that will help soothe and clarify the skin, without drying it out. Here are my top masks for when my face just won’t behave.
Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment:
If you have sensitive, reactive skin, this is probably not for you. It’s a powerful, tingly mask that will leave your skin feeling clean and more clear. It contains six acids that will get rid of dead skin cells, and activated charcoal to extract toxic substances from the skin, among other ingredients. I will often use this as a spot treatment on active pimples and it works like a charm at shrinking them down.
Origins Out of Trouble 10 Minute Mask:
When my skin is feeling greasy and is threatening to break out, I’ll use this mask containing zinc oxide and sulphur. These two ingredients are very good for acne-prone skin and will keep those pimples away. It’s a simple, refreshing mask that is perfect for a weeknight mini-facial.
Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay:
This stuff, made up of calcium bentonite clay, is great at clearing up skin and helping unclog pores. Unfortunately, it’s a pain to use. When the powder is mixed with water it’s very clumpy and thick. However, it will still work its magic when clumpy. A lot of people use it with apple cider vinegar, which makes it easier to blend, but skin care experts warn that this will damage the skin over time.
A tip for clay masks: Don’t let the product dry down completely or else it will start pulling moisture away from the skin, and it will be pretty tough to remove. For removal, if the mask does get too dry, wet the skin and rehydrate the product. Then remove gently with a soft cloth; don’t scrub the face mask off!
