How to Pick an Acne Facial Mask

Facial masks can be a wonderful addition to any skincare regimen. Masks can cool, cleanse, moisturize, and exfoliate but the marvels of an acne mask are unparalleled. The point of an acne mask is to deliver concentrated doses of acne fighting ingredients deep down into the pores. These ingredients help to dry up excess oil and impurities that get lodged into the skin and cause pimples and blackheads.

The key to good skincare is to choose a good facial mask that can eliminate breakouts and keep your skin clean and blemish free.

No One-Size Fits All Treatment

Finding a quality acne mask that will work for you can be a tricky thing. Facial masks are not a “one size fits all” product and the ingredients should be carefully examined before you invest money or recovery time due to a facial mask gone wrong. Whether you chose to make or buy one in the store, examining the ingredients before you use the mask is a very important thing to do so that you get all the added benefits for your skin type. Most women fall under oily, combination, sensitive or dry skin types. Recognize your skin type and buy or make accordingly.  We also discuss acne cleansers in our article, How to Pick an Acne Facial Cleanser.

Skin Types and Mask Selection

• Any skin type is prone to acne, but the most common is the oily/combination. Oily skin tends to be shiny and may have enlarged pores or blackheads. People with oily skin would work best using clay or mud based mask. Clay masks remove excess oil and tighten the pores. Look for especially creamy masks as they also aid in soaking up oil. If your acne is very severe, look for a mask that includes benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Since the skin is oily, there is a less likely chance that these ingredients will dry your skin out.
• Dry skin is feels tight and may be susceptible to peeling, flaking, or red patches. For this delicate skin you need to use a very moisturizing acne mask that combines deep cleansing and moisturizing ingredients. If you’re going to buy masks in the store look for glycerin as an ingredients. If you’d like to make a mask, combine half of an avocado with a quarter cup of honey and leave it on for about 15 minutes then rinse. Your skin will be plump, supple, and acne free.
• When you have some areas of dry skin and some of oily, it’s considered combination. These skin types may tend toward dryness on the cheeks while being oily in the t-zone area. For these skin types you’d ideally want something to both exfoliate and gently moisturize the skin. Masks including sulfur and sodium sulfacetamide work wonders on combination skin. Sulfur helps cleanse the skin of dead cells and helps the pores to breathe and sodium sulfacetamide reduces redness.
• Sensitive skin is thin and delicate. It has fine pores and may flush easily. Be careful about using harsh chemicals or fragrant masks on this skin type as it may cause a rash or dryness. Clay masks with Aloe Vera are ideal for sensitive skin. Be wary of store bought masks, it would be safer to make one at home. Combine and blend half of a pear, 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 tablespoon of buttermilk, and a half tablespoon of aloe. Apply over face for 10 minutes, rinse with warm water.

Now that you’ve found the ideal mask for your skin type, apply it about once a week and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. Hand in hand with good moisturizer and sun protection, you will see a change in the condition of your skin and how blemish free it is after a few weeks.

Additionally, be sure to check out our article, Acne Facials: An Overview for more great skin care tips for acne prone skin.