Which is better for your face, sheet mask or clay mask?

A good beauty face mask is part of a healthy skin care routine that doesn’t have to be done on a daily basis. That is because a facial mask should only be used once a week, or in some types up to a maximum of 3x a week only. There are many benefits when you include a face mask in your routine. For one, they are invented mainly to improve skin’s absorption of vitamins and minerals.

Generally, beauty face masks come in two different forms: clay or cloth sheet to cling on to your face which are both supposed to have an immediate effect after use. But there are also masks that promises gradual effect with regular usage. And because you can buy them off the shelves and use at home, it’s very convenient to put one on your face for few minutes while you do other things. You can even do it while working, if you work from home just like me. Also, the instant result makes it perfect especially when prepping for a big event. It will make your skin look supple and refreshed, hence no need to put so much make up.

Components of Facial Mask

Like any other skin care products, you need to make sure that the mask you will use is suitable for your skin to get the best results. This starts from checking the ingredients of the mask you are planning to buy from the pharmacy or beauty shops.

• Common components of face masks include hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and non-comedogenic oils which are suitable for dry skin.
• Others will have salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and natural ingredients like yogurt and papaya. These ingredients help remove dead skin and avoid clogging pores, which makes them perfect for acne-prone type of skin.
• Other face masks may also have oatmeal and aloe vera which are good in soothing and moisturising for those with combination skin

All these ingredients are formulated in a way that they will penetrate deeper into the skin like lotions, creams or serums quickly. Check out this article that talks about how face masks work.

Types and Kinds of Facial Mask

Surely, you can get overwhelmed with all the different types and kinds of face mask out there. Aside from what we mentioned earlier that we need to use something suitable for our skin, we also need to consider the benefits as each mask has its own particular purpose. Note that if you have a specific skin condition or concern, it still best to see a dermatologist before applying any product.

Sheet Mask

By its name alone, these are masks in a single-use sheets enriched with active ingredients. The most common sheet masks are made with fabric-like cotton which are soaked with serums, lotions, or essence and put on the face for about 15-20 minutes to allow the skin to drink up all the goodness that’s in the mask. You can also put it on the fridge a few minutes before using for a more cooling and soothing effect.

It’s very easy to use and what I like most about it is that you don’t have to worry about the mess from a face pack. Moreover, no rinsing is needed. So, if you’re using this before you go to bed, you can just go to sleep straightaway.

I think you will find that most Korean skincare face masks are made of sheets. And some of them can even be used on a daily basis!

The only disadvantage of sheet masks is that since they are in pre-fabricated sheets, most will not cover the entire face and there might be some areas left out. To make up for this, you can use the excess serum to apply to the rest of the face that cannot be covered.

Sheet mask is also good for all skin types so long as you check the ingredients first to make sure you use something that’s suitable for your skin type.

Clay Mask

 

This could be the best mask for people with oily skin as this is made of clay, sulfur or mud. Its paste and thick texture is perfect for absorbing excess oil and dirt. Clay masks are made specially to detoxify and purify skin and pores hence it is recommended to use it up to 3x a week and for a maximum of 15mins on the skin or it may cause your skin to dry. Unlike the sheet mask, you need to apply this using your fingers or a makeup brush all over your face and this needs to be rinsed properly after using. Some said you should rinse it off with warm water, however, you can refer to the instruction for proper usage.

Our conclusion on which type of face mask is better

There is something glamorous about applying a clay mask. It almost brings us back to the days of Cleopatra. And some people find it relaxing and calming to put a face pack on and just take a break from a busy day. But for its convenience and ease of use, sheet masks come out as the winner for us. This type of face mask works even for the lazy person and does not like elaborate skin care regimen. You can apply it anywhere, even when you’re on the road, and you don’t have to worry about having to rinse it off. It’s one of technology’s gift to us, and we should really take advantage of it.