Adding face masks into your regular skincare routine can be a game-changer. These versatile treatments offer targeted benefits from hydration to deep cleansing, making them a must-have for anyone looking to achieve a specific #skingoal.

Whether you're reaching for a sheet mask for a quick moisture boost or a clay mask to tackle excess oil, each type of face mask brings something unique to the table. But there's also a new player in town worth looking into: the Red Light Therapy Face Mask. Let's talk about how different face masks can offer different benefits for your routine.

What Are the Different Types of Face Masks?

Face masks come in a variety of forms, each offering different benefits based on the ingredients it's made with. Here's a closer look at the different types you may want to incorporate into your skincare routine based on what you're looking to achieve:

• Sheet Masks: These are your go-to for a quick hydration boost and skin refresh. Typically infused with serums rich in vitamins and minerals, sheet masks are perfect for when your skin needs a pick-me-up.

• Clay Masks: Ideal for deep cleansing and oil control, clay masks work wonders for those with oily or acne-prone skin. They help draw out impurities and excess oil, leaving your skin feeling clean and refreshed.

• Cream Masks: If your skin craves intense moisture and nourishment, cream masks are the answer. Rich and luxurious, they provide deep hydration, making them perfect for dry or mature skin types.

• Gel Masks: Known for their soothing and cooling benefits, gel masks are great for calming irritated or sensitive skin. They provide a refreshing sensation and help reduce redness and inflammation.

• Exfoliating Masks: These masks offer gentle exfoliation to slough off dead skin cells, revealing smoother, more radiant skin. They're perfect for maintaining a polished complexion without the harshness of physical scrubs.

• Light Therapy Masks: Unlike other masks, Light Therapy masks are reusable, skincare devices that target various skin concerns based on the type of Light incorporated.

How Do I Know What Face Mask I Should Use?

Here’s how to determine which mask is best suited for your skin's needs:

Hydration Needs: If your skin feels tight, looks dull, or shows signs of flakiness, it may be dehydrated. A hydrating sheet mask can provide an instant moisture boost, leaving your skin feeling plump and refreshed. Look for masks with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin to replenish moisture levels.

Oil Control: If your skin appears shiny, especially in the T-zone, or you experience frequent breakouts, a clay mask can help. These masks absorb excess oil and purify pores, making them ideal for oily or acne-prone skin. Ingredients like kaolin or bentonite clay are effective in controlling oil production.

Soothing and Calming: For skin that feels irritated, red, or sensitive, a gel mask can offer soothing relief. These masks provide a cooling sensation that helps calm inflammation and reduce redness. Look for ingredients like aloe vera and cucumber extract for their calming properties.

Nourishment and Repair: If your skin feels dry or looks lackluster, a cream mask can deliver intense nourishment and repair. These masks are rich in emollients and oils that deeply moisturize and revitalize the skin. Ingredients like shea butter and ceramides are excellent for restoring skin's barrier.

Exfoliation: If your skin feels rough or looks uneven, an exfoliating mask can help slough off dead skin cells and reveal a smoother, more radiant complexion. These masks often contain gentle acids like lactic or glycolic acid to promote cell turnover without irritation.

Anti-Aging: If you're noticing fine lines and wrinkles, a Red Light Therapy face mask can be beneficial. These masks use Light Therapy to reduce the appearance of fine lines and visibly rejuvenate the skin, promoting a radiant-looking glow. They are an excellent addition to your routine for targeting visible signs of skin aging and can work alongside other masks, too!

How To Use Each Type of Face Mask

As each mask offers different benefits, how to use each mask also varies just a bit:

• Sheet Masks: These can be used anytime your skin feels parched or dull. Simply apply the mask to your face, leave it on for the recommended time, and enjoy the instant refreshment.

• Clay Masks: Best suited for oily or acne-prone skin, clay masks should be used no more than 1-2 times a week. Apply a thin layer to clean skin, let it dry, and then rinse off to help control oil and purify your pores.

• Cream Masks: Ideal for dry skin, cream masks provide deep moisture and can be used as needed. Apply generously to your face, leave on for the specified duration, and then rinse or tissue off to reveal soft, nourished skin.

• Gel Masks: These masks are great for soothing sensitive or irritated skin. Use them whenever your skin needs calming. Apply a generous layer, let it sit for the recommended time, and then rinse off to enjoy a cooling, refreshing sensation.

• Exfoliating Masks: To maintain a smooth skin texture, use exfoliating masks 1-2 times a week. Apply to clean skin, leave on for the directed time, and then gently rinse off to reveal a polished, radiant complexion. If you find your skin getting irritated, reduce frequency.

• Light Therapy Masks: Light Therapy is gentle enough that it can be a regular part of your skincare routine. For best results, most devices recommended treatment at least three to four times per week.

When To Use Face Masks in Your Skin Care Routine: Step-by-Step

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you seamlessly integrate face masks into your skincare routine.

1. Cleanse: Begin by thoroughly cleansing your face to remove impurities and prepare your skin for the treatments ahead. Pro Tip: Probiotic cleansers help to gently cleanse skin without stripping it of its natural oils!

2. Red Light Therapy Face Mask: After cleansing and drying your skin, you can treat yourself to a Light Therapy session!

Our Wrinkle Retreat Face Mask & LightBoost Serum Kit utilizes both Red Light Therapy and Near-Infrared Light Therapy to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while visibly rejuvenating your complexion. For best results, apply the included LightBoost Face & Neck Serum before placing the mask over your face — our proprietary LightBoost technology actually works to boost the effects of Light Therapy for your most radiant-looking skin yet! Enjoy your restorative 10-minute session, then move forward with your regular skincare routine!

3. Tone: Apply toner to balance your skin's pH and tighten pores, setting the stage for maximum absorption of the active ingredients from your serums and creams.

4. Use Your Mask of Choice: Here is where you can apply your face mask of choice based on your specific needs!

For intense hydration, we recommend our Hydrating Sheet Mask, which is enriched with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and avocado peptides to deeply hydrate and visibly plump your skin. Leave it on for 10-20 minutes, then massage in the remaining serum for an extra boost!

5. Serum: Apply your serum of choice to target specific skin concerns with concentrated ingredients, ensuring your skin receives the nutrients it needs.

6. Moisturize: Lock in hydration with a suitable moisturizer for your skin type, helping to maintain a healthy, glowing complexion.

7. Sunscreen: If this is your day routine, finish with sunscreen to protect your skin from UV damage.

Tips for Maximizing Face Mask Benefits

To truly harness the power of face masks in your skincare routine, consider these tips for maximizing their benefits:

Consistency is key to achieving and maintaining the best results. Use face masks in your routine regularly, whether weekly or bi-weekly, to help your skin reap the full benefits over time.

Tailor your mask choice to your skin's current condition. Pay attention to what your skin needs on any given day—whether it's hydration, oil control, or soothing relief—and select a mask that addresses those specific concerns.

Use different masks for different areas or concerns. This technique, known as multi-masking, allows you to target specific issues simultaneously. For example, apply a clay mask to oily areas and a hydrating mask to dry patches for a balanced approach.

Conclusion

Adding a variety of different face masks to your skincare routine can help you give your skin exactly what it needs when it needs it, without changing up your entire routine. Whether you're reaching for a hydrating sheet mask to quench thirsty skin or a clay mask to keep oil in check, each type has its own perks.

And don't forget about the Red Light Therapy Face Mask — it can be a game-changer for anyone looking to bring professional-grade skincare tech into their at-home skin routine.

Our Wrinkle Retreat Mask we mentioned above is great for visibly smoothing out fine lines and giving your skin a radiant glow, but if you're looking to explore all the rest that Light Therapy tech can offer, take our device quiz here for tailored recommendations for what device is best fit for your skin goals, type, age, and more!

Sources:

1. ALOE VERA: A SHORT REVIEW - PMC 

2. Ceramides and skin function - PubMed 

3. Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun | FDA