Tips for using facial masks

Tips for using facial masks

1. Choose a time to use face mask when you know you are not going to be disturbed and can relax. Wash all the ingredients before use and discard any that are damaged. An electric blender or liquidizer will make the mixing easier.

2. Always test the face mask, especially if you have a sensitive skin. Apply a little bit behind your ear, wait for at least 30 minutes and rinse off. If there is no irritation in the next 24 hours, then apply the mask on your face.

3. First clean you face and neck with gentle cleanser. Massage in circular movements over the face and neck. Leave on for 1-2 minutes to dissolve grime and old make-up. Then gently wipe off with cotton swabs. Rinse off with warm water.

4. Steam your face gently (2-5 minutes over a bowl of hot water).This technique open the pores so that mask can penetrate deeply.

5. Apply the facial masks with clean fingertips or a soft fresh. Fruit or egg mask often have a very liquid consistency. It may easier to apply a second layer after a few minutes, once the first layer has dried a little.

6. Try not to talk, laugh or even move any facial muscle until it is time to gently remove the mask.

7. Facial masks should be left on for 15-20 minutes so they can dry. Remove the mask slowly and carefully. Work from the forehead downwards, making sure that none of the material removed comes into contact with eyes, and avoids dragging the skin.

8. Light fruit mask can be removed simply with cotton balls. With clay masks, you need to rinse the face with warm water, and then cold water.

9. Don't apply facial masks more than twice a week.

10. Soak in an herbal bath while your mask is working its magic. This is an especially good idea when your concoction is a messy one when you’re dripping oats, for example.

11. Apply your mask to specific areas: If your “T zone” (nose, chin and forehead) is oily, you might apply more drying ingredients there and more moisturizing ingredients elsewhere, for example.

12. Avoid the delicate area around your eyes when you apply your mask.

13. Apply mask to your neck as well as your face.

14. Leave masks on for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse with warm, then cool water

Customize your mask by adding herbs like these:

• To reduce large pores: coltsfoot leaf, elder flowers, lavender flowers, peppermint leaf, sage leaf.
• To moisturize: comfrey leaf, elder flowers, red clover blossoms, yarrow flowers
• To reduce oiliness: dandelion leaf, lavender flowers, lemongrass
• To heal (blemishes and irritation) and soothe: elder flowers, lady’s mantle, lavender flowers, linden flowers, peppermint leaf, rose petals, sassafras root bark, yarrow leaf
• To cleanse and tone: chamomile (German), comfrey root, comfrey leaf, elder flowers, lady’s mantle, lemongrass, lovage root, nettle leaf, peppermint leaf, rosemary leaf, sage leaf, horsetail, yarrow flowers