Masking It: The Perfect Route To Fresh And Flawless Skin

ANDREA KISSANE on the skincare superheroes that are your express route to fresh?and flawless skin.

If 2016 was the year of the brow, then 2017 is absolutely the year of the face mask. While a trip to the salon for a two-hour, fluffy towel, cosy blanket, toe-massage- included, professional facial is one of my favourite things, the constraints of budget, time and ticklish toes mean that a weekly face mask is now a staple in the beauty routine of those looking for the express route to glowing skin.

Whether you are looking to hydrate the skin, reduce the appearance of pores, control that oil slick or simply give your complexion an illumination boost, masks can be your best skin ally. While this idea of a facial in a flash is not a new one, Patricia Molloy, owner of Derma Clinic in Blackrock, Co Dublin (dermaclinic.ie), explains how technology has elevated the humble face mask into a power pore player: ?As there are more active ingredients in a mask, they are going to work quicker than your normal moisturiser, cleanser or toner, and that’s a really good way of giving your skin a boost at home. And one of the biggest things that has changed over the last few years is the stability of products. For example, now there is technology that will hold vitamin C so that it is active on the skin, and the more active ingredients in the mask, the better the result.? But with so many different types of

But with so many different types of mask on the market in terms of ingredients, texture and application technique, trying to find the right match for your skin’s needs can feel like navigating the Tinder of the beauty world.

?Gel masks tend to have a tightening effect, and cream masks are mainly hydrating in nature,? says skin expert and salon owner Anne McDevitt (annemcdevitt.com). ?Each mask’s actions will depend on the ingredients added. The difference between an overnight mask and a mask that you wash o after 20 minutes is that the former doesn’t tighten on the skin and tends to be cream- or lotion-based. During the night, the skin repairs and regenerates due to hormonal production and other factors. And that’s why an overnight mask can be so effective on the skin, especially if you want to look your best the next day or for a special event.?

And sheet masks have increased in popularity steadily over the last few years as we take more skinspiration from Korean beauty routines. Halloween-movie aesthetics aside, they are versatile, travel-friendly (ideal for a long haul in- flight beauty boost) and can have multi-uses depending on their ingredients. With such a variety of options available, it’s essential to choose the correct type of mask to address the specific needs of your skin type. And when it comes to getting the most out of your mask, Nuala Woulfe of Serenity Day Spa (nualawoulfe.ie) says that preparing the skin is essential: ?Cleanse the skin, exfoliate, and rinse o . Dry the skin and apply your mask as per instruction for the particular product and your skin type. en use a gentle toner to soothe the skin, apply a hydrating serum (SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel, left, €68, suits all skin types, as it is non-oily) and finish with a moisturiser to lock in the moisture.?

With none of the faff, but with of all the frills, face masks are the new superheroes of the skincare world.

FIRMING/LIFTING MASKS

If you are concerned about the appearance
of fine lines and your skin is lobbying for some support, anti-ageing masks like 1 Shiseido Benefiance Pure Retinol Intensive Revitalising Face Mask, €65 for 12 masks, 2 Elemis Pro- Collagen Marine Mask, €62, and 3 Image Ageless Total Overnight Retinol Masque, €89.50, can help to give the skin a more youthful, firmer appearance.

ILLUMINATING MASKS

Great for skin of all ages that is in need ofa brightening boost, comforting masks like 1 Show Your Glow Colloidal Gold and Honey Beauty Mask, €59.95, 2 SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Masque, €60, and 3 Newhite by Guinot Masque Re’ve?lateur Lumie’re, €84.75 for seven sachets, are all about giving your skin that radiant glow.