Goguma Beauty Help: Masks. What to do? When to do?

How often? When? What do I do? What should I use? How do I do it?

Not sure how to use your masks best? These are some of my thoughts (*^^*)

Key Points

1. Never do masks more than 3 times weekly (includes if you alternate between different types).
2. If you have sensitive skin (pale skins are more prone, sun damaged or blemished skin also are likely to be), do not do masks after exfoliating or in hot conditions such as during or after shower or bath. When you are in a hot room or have been in one, such as a hot bath/sauna, your pores will be more open; although this can allow for deeper cleansing, it also means that if you have sensitive skin, or are using a new product you are not familiar with or uncertain of its suitability, your skin is more prone to become irritated. Irritation may form rashes, skin peeling, spots etc.
3. Use different masks for different needs; deep cleansing, calming/environment protection, hydration, brightening etc.
4. NEVER rely on just doing masks!!! If you are not doing your daily 3 step routine: Cleanse, Toner, Moisturiser, doing a mask may be just embedding more dirt into your skin and deeper, which may cause your skin to have irritation, allergic reactions or just become worse than before! It's like sealing dirt into your skin!
5. ALWAYS give your skin breaks from masks. Do not do a mask every night, as your skin needs time to rejuvenate and new skin cells need time to become stronger and adapt to the external environment!!
6. Avoid the eye area. Do not apply your mask too close to your eyes; the skin around your eyes is super delicate and fragile. Use a mask specifically for the eyes if you wish to pamper that area!

Here are some tips (*^-^*)/

There are different types of masks for different needs. Generally speaking, clay/mud textured masks are deep cleansing, creamy masks are more calming and masks with a gel type texture are better for hydration.

Some ingredients you may come across (just a quick list! Hehe)

Peppermint, Lavender, Witch Hazel, Tea Tree are all strong cleansing ingredients; anti bacterial, anti grease/oil, helps blemishes, acne and general pollution debris.

Aloe Vera, Camomile, Almond, Rose, Honey are calming, smoothing and will recover your skin's original condition. Repairs daily damage and are gentle whiteners. Amazing ingredients to look out for if you have sensitive skin!

Cherry, Lemon, Orange, (Citrus fruits with high Vitamin C content), Grapefruit, are all brightening and whitening. Great if you need a spurge of brightness and glow when you skin is feeling dull and tired!

Aloe Vera, Mango, Vitamin C fruits, Cucumber, Watermelon, Lavender and many more are all great for hydration, replenishing your skin back to it's 80% water content, so it's more plump, smooth and supple.

DO NOT USE MASKS EVERYDAY!

Masks will cleanse, and re-condition your skin, boosting and encouraging skin metabolism and rejuvenation. This will mean that, although your skin may feel smoother and much better after a mask, it will also be vulnerable! After your mask, be it an overnight mask, non-rinsing mask (tissue off) or a rinse off mask, once your skin feel as if the benefits of the mask has been absorbed, always TONE (use a toner) as this will minimise your pores which the mask may have opened. Sealing your pores up after they have been cleansed and your skin smoothed, means dirt is less likely to re-enter your pores and your skin is protected by the toner!

Clay/Mud masks tend to be most deep cleansing, so use these 2-3 times a week, as far apart in day as possible. (Don't do it every other day, then leave it for the rest of the week. Do it once every 3-4 days instead). This way, you will benefit from it best without irritating your skin. (*^^*)

Hydration masks you can do more often as these aren't so deep cleansing, they hydrate. Calming masks are also similar. But remember to clean your skin well before using, otherwise you may seal dirt deeper into your skin! Use these every other day if necessary (obviously, if you're using a new product, try it out first with more days in between, until you are familiar with the effects on your skin, incase of irritation. Some masks are more potent than others!)

You can alternate between masks to get a whole week of pampering! For example:

Monday - Clay, Deep Cleansing

Tuesday - Break

Wednesday - Calming Mask

Thursday - Clay, Deep Cleansing

Friday - Break

Saturday - Hydration

Sunday- Break

If you're having a SOS moment, you MAY use masks together or one day after another. For example, those who model, have an occasion or are in a new environment (such as on holiday in super dry weather). However, this is at your own risk, and dependent upon your familiarity (your skins familiarity too) with the mask. I DO NOT recommend this for products new to you!

Typically if you are using masks like this, your routine may become (for short term!):

Day 1 - Deep Cleansing, Day 2 - Hydration/Calming.

or

Day 1 - Calming & Hydration

or even

Day 1 - Hydration, Day 2 - Calming, Day 3 - Hydration (for a 3 day moisture boost)

These routines should be a one off occasion like a crash course! However, if you do not keep up your daily routine of skin care, crash courses and masks may not help you at all!!

Please note, you NEVER use Deep Cleansing masks twice (or products that deep cleanse even though they are different brand, type etc). Calming and Hydration masks tend to be less irritative, however, this does NOT apply to all. Some masks are more potent and can only be  used once or twice a week!! Be careful, read instructions!

Whitening masks are also very potent, use these once (maybe twice) a week.

Always take care of your skin after your mask, or it will result in a worse condition than before your mask! Your skin will be more vulnerable and more prone to spots, irritation, daily dirt, sunspots/freckles etc. So remember to use toner, moisturiser and sun care if you are going out of the house!

Also a tip: In my experience, the best time to do a mask is at night, when you skin and body is generally winding down, and you are less likely to go out after which can irritate vulnerable skin if it has to 'work' after a nice spa. (You wouldn't like to go back to work after a nice sauna and spa either (*^.~*) Hehe).

It means that after your mask and night skin care routine, your skin can rest at night when you sleep, allowing the rejuvenation process to begin undisturbed!

Hope this helps!! Please comment (*^^*)