Every skin has different needs, hence, there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to face masks. Acne-prone skin can benefit largely from salicylic acid gel masks. Fruit enzymes can help with gentle exfoliation and hyaluronic acid-infused sheets will provide your skin with ample hydration. But, is it possible to over-mask your face (especially now, with all the free time you have on hand due to the lockdown)?
Turns out, it is possible to over-mask your face. The dry and itchy feeling you get on your skin every time you put on yet another mask is an indicator that you’re over-masking your face. That said, how much is really too much and what exactly can over-masking do to your face? We have some answers right here!
What does over-masking your face look like?
Over-masking your face happens when you tend to use a variety of face masks too often, leading to your skin feeling dry, itchy and flaky. Interestingly, is it not the type of mask — hydrogel, sheet, peel-off, clay, etc — that leads to over-masking, but the ingredients present in them. For instance, moisturising, hydrating or soothing masks can be safely used more often than exfoliating or mattifying ones.
Given how face masks have risen in popularity over the past couple of years, it is easy to be tempted to overuse them. But too much of anything is bad for you. If your mask is made up of active ingredients like clay, it can overdry your face. Or someone with sensitive skin can see a flare-up in their rosacea or eczema if they’re overusing exfoliating masks. All those ingredients can also lead to the weakening of the skin’s barrier.
The final straw will be you getting a rash, that’s the time to completely avoid face masks altogether!
How to avoid over-masking your face?
The rule of thumb to avoid over-masking should be to list out the ingredients in your pick. Hydrating and moisturising masks, like the Simple Kind To Skin Rich Moisture Sheet Mask, can be used a few times a week, especially if you have super dry skin that needs extra nourishment.
On the other hand, face masks with active ingredients, like AHAs, BHAs or retinol, should be used just once a week. Since these ingredients can be present in your other skincare staples too, you can do your skin some real damage by overdoing it.
Another way to not feel tempted to mask too often is by following a proper post-mask ritual. Follow up your masking session with a rich moisturiser like the Simple Kind To Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturiser. Seeing your skin squeaky clean and nourished will keep the temptation of applying yet another mask later in the day at bay!
Written by Sumona Bose on May 20, 2020
Sumona Bose is a writer, skincare junkie and a self-professed makeup connoisseur. Equipped with a Master's degree in Fashion Management and over 3 years of experience writing in the beauty and fashion space, her passion for learning new things has no bounds. Working closely with dermatologists, beauty excerpts, makeup artists and hairstylists, she brings you the best of all things beauty. From trending skincare ingredients to makeup looks that help you slay, she manages to bring something new (and vital!) to our readers every single time. Her hobbies include home workouts, watching foreign films and binge-watching makeover shows!