Sometimes, no matter how much product you use, your skin still looks and feels dull. If you’re not using exfoliators and masks this is probably why. Your skin naturally sheds cells all the time. This layer of dead skin cells loves to soak up your skin care products too. That means only a small amount is actually reaching your living skin, and making a difference. Once that dull layer has been removed, your healthy skin underneath can be seen. Even this alone can be the difference between dull and glowing skin.
Exfoliators and Masks have many varied benefits
Choosing the right exfoliators and masks is often the key issue though. What is the right product for your skin? What does your skin need? The best place to start is deciding how much time you want (or have) to spend on exfoliating? If you are time poor, finding a daily cleanser with exfoliating enzymes is a great start. This will reduce the amount of dead skin cell build up that occurs in the first place. If you have the time, a face mask is a great time to relax and de-stress. Relaxing your face and body and unwinding during the week is actually really good for your whole body.
The extra benefits of a well chosen face mask can improve your skin all week. Decide what you feel your biggest skin issue is. For oily skin, you can help find a healthy oil balance using something like Medik8’s Natural Clay Mask. If you’re dry, add the extra moisture to your skin, maybe with a Probiotic Sleep Mask. When you’re suffering from pigmentation, acne or rosacea you can give the extra boost of nutrients to heal your skin. If you have reactive skin a calming mask can reduce your symptoms. Remember that just because this is your choice this week, it doesn’t mean this is your best product for life. Often having a variety of treatments is similar to eating a variety of different foods. You will get the best balance and results rather that only ever using one product.
CosMedix Detox Activated Charcoal Mask
“I’m someone who is prone to blackheads, so the CosMedix Detox Activated Charcoal Mask is one of my weekly go to products and one that I recommend to my clients often. It works in a similar way to a clay mask, drawing out the impurities and congestion, but it has the added benefit of a light exfoliation with the use of tiny granules.
To use it, cleanse as normal, pat dry your skin and apply a small amount to your fingertips and massage over your face. You need to massage it for about a minute to get the exfoliation and to activate the charcoal. You can feel that it has a bit of heat in it.
Leave on for 15 minutes and wipe clean with a warm cloth. Serums and moisturisers can be applied as normal afterwards. You will notice that your skin looks clearer, smoother and has a glow to it.
Sometimes, and it doesn’t say to do this, but if I have a big pimple, I spot it over the pimple and leave it on overnight, and in the morning, viola! It’s pretty much gone! I also use this mask before a special event, before makeup, just because it makes my skin look good.
This mask is great for anyone with an oilier skin or someone who has breakouts and congestion and I give it a 10/10!”
Meg
Osmosis MD Polish, CosMedix Glow Brightening Mask and Aspect Probiotic Sleep Mask
“I had a dilemma when Meg asked us to review “any Mask at all”, that we’d like to try. I have two at home, and I love them both, do I do one of those, or do I cheat on my loves and try something new? In the end I thought, I can give you the low down on the ones I have, but can also give my thoughts on the new one that I will try. No dilemma, quite simple really, and only a tad of guilt involved.
My first love is CosMedix Glow Brightening Mask and it does what it says, don’t ask me why or how, it just does. My second love is Aspect Probiotic Sleep Mask which I actually use every night instead of a moisturiser. Probably not suppose to use it that often, but I’m addicted to the way it makes my skin feel every morning, so it must be a good thing, and it lasts forever.
Osmosis MD Polish
So now to my liaison with a new mask. I chose Osmosis MD Polish. I don’t know why, but I always assumed Polish was white. Instead it’s a rich rhubarb colour, and the aroma instantly took me back to when I was a five year old flower-girl at my Aunt’s wedding. The wedding cake, which I couldn’t wait to eat, of course was covered in marzipan. After one bite I scrupulously hid it under a serviette, thinking I might offend someone for not eating the whole piece (I was such an angel), YUK! So disgusting. I can eat just about anything but that flavour, I just don’t like at all. However, I don’t mind the smell, and I don’t have to eat it, just put it on my face, so here goes.
It’s simple to apply and after leaving on for fifteen minutes and rinsing off, it has certainly lived up to its name. My skin feels highly polished, it has that sort of firm, slipperiness to it… like when you slip on floorboards with your socks on, in an elegant way. Feels amazing actually. I’ve applied my normal serums, and my CC Cream has just glided on beautifully. It would certainly create a great base for ANY type of foundation. Arggh!! Why do I like everything I review? I’ll have to buy one, actually multi-masking is the new skin care trend, so maybe I’ll think about a threesome.
Moral to the story, don’t limit your love.
PS. Not sure why it smells like marzipan to me, there isn’t any suggestion at all of almonds in the ingredients list.”
Julie
Osmosis MD Purify and Aspect Fruit Enzyme Mask
“I am very time poor. My kids are often demanding of my attention and I get disturbed with everything I do. With this in mind I use the Osmosis MD Purify as my daily cleanser. This way I know my face is being gently exfoliated with enzymes all the time. Having said this, I still love to relax with a mask, it is one of my special treats. I started using masks as a teenager, and remember them drying and cracking on my face as I desperately tried to clear my acne. Now I use nourishing and moisturising masks instead.
As my skin has been feeling red and dry this Winter, I’ve chosen a gentle, calming and moisturising mask this week. Aspect Fruit Enzyme Mask is one you have heard us talk a lot about. What is it like though?
It has a sweet fruity smell and is a thick orange gel. Being Winter it’s very cold to touch, which is just what my skin needs today. I feel like I am slathered in product, and yet I actually don’t have to use much to cover my face and neck. My favourite part comes next, sitting down with my feet up for 15 minutes. Once I’ve washed it off, my skin is silky smooth and feels less red and sore. Sometimes my kids have disturbed me and I’ve had to wash it off almost straight away, yet I’ve still felt softer for it.
The bonus every time for me is using less serums and moisturiser. I am always surprised (I know, I should expect it by now) by how big a difference a mask makes to my skin care regime. How much products I must waste because I have left it too long between exfoliating. I only manage a proper ‘sit down and relax’ mask every couple of weeks, which is not enough for my poor face! Having written this, I’ve made a pact with myself to aim for 1 or 2 sessions a week instead. It’s Winter, what could be better than relaxing on the couch with a mask in front of the fire anyway…
As for the Fruit Enzyme Mask, it’s pure heaven for my skin. It cools my sensitive skin and leaves me feeling more hydrated all week. If you have dry, sensitive skin with pigmentation, it’s a great choice.”
Phillipa
Osmosis MD Polish
“As a makeup artist, I wish I could use Osmosis MD Polish on every client before I do their makeup. It gives the skin a buffed, glowing, soft, even finish which is perfect for applying foundation over.
Being an enzyme exfoliant, I love that it isn’t traumatising to the skin like most. You leave it on your skin for approx. 15 mins and the enzymes work their magic breaking down dead skin cells. When you wash it off your skin feels completely different under your hands. It feels finer, not rough in any way, and so incredibly smooth. To get technical, I also love that it has the extremely potent antioxidant CoQ10 in it, plus Vitamin C and Lactic acid, my skin loves all three!
I’ve used this product for at least 5 years and cannot imagine cutting it out of my routine. It’s also perfect before a night out, It honestly makes your skin glow!”
Megan
We hope you have appreciated hearing our “real life” feedback on these products. If there is a product you have enjoyed, please leave your feedback. Your favourite cleanser, serum or moisturiser? Write a review on the website and you’ll even receive an extra 300 points. Simply locate the product (in this case Exfoliators and Masks), click the Reviews tab and leave your rating and review. We believe in finding products that are scientifically proven to improve your skin’s health without using nasty ingredients that we are better off avoiding.
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