We all love face masks whether it is a clay mask or a sheet mask. However, there are some face mask mistakes that we commit unknowingly that can be harmful while applying sheet masks, DIY homemade masks or clay masks.
We must consider these mistakes as this can lead to increased skin problems like acne, blocked pores, whiteheads etc.
In this article, we will talk about the common face mask mistakes we make and how to rectify them –
Table of Contents
1. Choosing the Wrong Type of Face Mask
We must choose a face mask that suits the skin concerns that we are facing at that particular time and the skin type we have.
For example, I have a combination acne-prone skin so I will choose the skin-clearing face mask, especially the clay masks and only skin-clearing and non-comedogenic sheet masks like Tea tree oil and lemon sheet masks.
2. Keeping a Clay Mask for too Long
Another common mistake that we make while using a face mask is the timing, especially with the clay mask.
The clay mask must be kept only till it is 80% dry. Keeping the clay mask for too long can strip all the natural oils from your skin and will leave it dry and undernourished rather than clean.
3. Not Changing your Face Mask as per the skin concern
Changing your choice of face mask as per the problems you are facing is very important. If you are facing dullness in your skin then opt for a lemon-brightening face mask.
On the other hand, if you are suffering from pigmentation or acne then a good bentonite clay mask or Fuller’s Earth mask will be the best choice.
4. Not Following the Winter-Summer Rule
Weather plays a very important role in our skin condition and the demands of the skin, so you must choose a face mask as per the weather conditions too. For example, in summer, you feel more thirsty because of the heat in the environment, and your skin gets dehydrated too, so choosing the hydrating sheet mask is the best choice.
However, some people face more oily and sweaty skin during the summer heat, so choosing a simple clay mask in addition to some cooling herbs will be an excellent choice for that skin concern.
5. Using Clay Masks for Dry & Dehydrated Skin
Clay masks tend to absorb excess oil and dirt from your pores and make them appear smaller but it also dries the skin and can dehydrate it if kept for a long time. So if your skin is already dehydrated and dry then opt for a hyaluronic acid or ceramides-based sheet mask rather than a clay one.
6. Using Face Mask Too Often
As they say, excess of everything is bad!
I won’t recommend using any kind of face mask daily. You see in the Korean skincare routine that there is a usage of a sheet mask daily. It saturates the skin and unless the weather is parched, you need not apply any kind of sheet mask or clay mask daily. Twice or thrice a week is enough.
7. Harsh Ingredients in DIY Homemade Mask
DIY homemade masks are quite tricky and they must not be made & used without full knowledge. Using harsh ingredients on your face such as lemon juice, vinegar, sugar, salt or other grainy textures can do more harm than good.
Beware of such ingredients and use them with caution, for example, If you are using lemon juice in a face mask then you should not use more than half a teaspoon of it on your face. It can irritate sensitive skin more than normal skin.
8. Not Preparing Your Skin Before It
Applying a face mask on dirty skin is the perfect recipe for acne and whiteheads along with blocked pores. You must clean your skin thoroughly with a cleansing or foaming face wash or DIY face wash before applying a face mask. First, clean your skin thoroughly, pat it dry, and apply a face mask with clean fingers.
9. Skipping the Right Moisturiser After Face Mask
Post-face mask steps depend on the face mask type that you are applying. If you’re using a clay mask then you must apply a moisturiser after removing it. If you have oily skin then a gel-based moisturiser like aloe vera gel or hyaluronic acid is ideal choice.
As your pores are clean due to the application of a clay mask, the skin will absorb the gel-based moisturiser quickly and you will achieve a healthy glow. If you are using a sheet mask, you need not apply a moisturiser afterwards.
Although some dermatologists recommend using sunscreen after a sheet mask if you are stepping out in the sun. In my opinion, using a sheet mask at night is the best choice as you need not follow it with sunscreen and the beauty sleep will add to the glow in the morning.
10. Washing Your Face After Removing Sheet Mask
Washing your face after using a sheet mask is like dropping money down the drain. You are going to remove all the serum from your face and strip out even the absorbed one if you wash your face immediately after removing the sheet mask.
The skin will absorb the excess serum on your face even after you have removed the sheet. So let the serum set on your face and the best idea will be to massage it with your fingers so that it can be absorbed quickly. Wash your face the next morning!
11. Not Removing the Clay Mask the Right Way
Removing the clay mask is a task and it can be quite messy as well. Splashing your face with water will dilute the clay into the mud and it will become quite difficult to remove it from the neck and corners.
Using a wet sponge and rubbing it on your face in the upward direction will remove the clay effectively along with the impurities it has caught from your face. you will be amazed by how easily it removes the messiness and will give you a squeaky clean feel. You can always wash your face after that.
12. Mixing DIY Ingredients with Active Chemical Ingredients
In this era of the skin care boom, everyone is using a lot of active ingredients on their skin like salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, retinol, glycolic acid etc. You cannot use all these active ingredients together, for example, if you are using retinol, you cannot use a sheet mask containing glycolic acid or any DIY homemade mask that contains vinegar, lemon, orange peels or any other source of Vitamin C.
So if you are using active ingredients in your serum cleaner toner or moisturizer then be very careful what you are using in your sheet mask or clay mask or homemade face masks.
13. Using The Wrong Face Mask Layering
We all have access to all kinds of beauty information, and not every piece of information is correct. Face mask layering is in hype right now but layering must be in the correct format.
You can use a clay mask first followed by a hydrating sheet mask, but you cannot reverse the order. it won’t be of any benefit to you if you do that.
14. Not Absorbing the Mask serum or Post-mask Moisturizer Properly
After you remove your mask your skin is like a clean slate, this is the golden opportunity to indulge in a good moisturizer or the excess serum left from the sheet mask.
If you skip this step you will skip more than half of the benefits of a face mask. Massaging your face with your fingertips in a circular motion will help in absorbing the moisturizer better and will improve the blood flow as well.
15. Getting Out Immediately After removing Sheet Mask
Another reason why I recommend using a sheet mask at night is as going out immediately after removing the sheet mask will attract dirt and pollution to your dewy face.
It will attract impurities travelling in the air like a magnet and you will invite skin problems such as pimples, blocked pores, whiteheads and blackheads. So try to stay indoors after removing the sheet mask to avail its maximum benefits.
I hope this article has helped you in getting the most out of your face mask. Avoiding these face mask mistakes is crucial for great skin health and the glow that we expect whenever we apply efforts for a face mask or the whole facial at home.
If you are more of a DIY person then you must read about these cooling summer face masks that you must try this season. Also, don’t forget to share this article with your friends and family.
