GET MORE FROM YOUR SHEET MASK WITH THESE EXPERT TIPS
When it comes to K-Beauty, there are few people better equipped to share SoKo's {skin care} secrets than the founders of {Glow Recipe} - Sarah and Christine - who've created a space to make the Far East's beauty trends accessible to increasingly curious Western audiences. There is nothing these two South Korean beauty gurus do not know about the latest - sometimes weirdest - crazes to emerge from this hub of cosmetic innovation, and when it comes to today's topic - sheet {masks} - they know every trick in the book.
"While sheet masks in general are a great way to supplement your skin care routine, there are tips and tricks to get the most out of these at-home facials" say the Glow Recipe girls...
Contrary to popular belief, leaving your sheet mask for three times the recommended time does not mean your skin gets three times the benefit. "Sheet masks create a barrier to intensively infuse the skin with hydrating and anti-ageing ingredients, but if the sheet mask itself dries out, it will actually begin leaching moisture from your visage. 20 minutes should be the maximum amount of time you use them – enough time to deliver key ingredients, without the mask beginning to dehydrate."
The secret to sheet masks' efficacy is that they create a barrier, beneath which the ingredients can work unencumbered. "These masks essentially 'force feed' your skin an intense amount of nourishment in a short time," write Glow Recipe, "which is why it's so important to consider the ingredients you're 'pumping' into your complexion." Try to avoid parabens and synthetic dyes/fragrances which can causes irritation.
"People are always asking us when to use a sheet mask." say Sarah and Christine. Most importantly, you need to begin with a perfectly prepped canvas - cleanse and tone carefully, to ensure skin is equipped to absorb all of the 'goodness'. You may need to exfoliate as well to help eliminate dead skin cells which can compromise the mask's efficiency.
"Sheet masks are infused with serums to penetrate the skin, so the subsequent skin care steps are equally important." Immediately after removing the mask, gently tap the excess serum into your complexion, then follow with a moisturiser tailored to your skin type. Allow a few minutes for the serum to sink in, to minimise 'pilling' and ensure your lotion applies evenly.
TOP TIP: "If there’s any serum sloshing around the inside of your sheet mask packet, apply this to your face, neck and the backs of your hands before applying the mask for maximum benefit."
And that's all folks. A quick field guide to sheet masks for the soon to be addicted. There's a reason these are such a skin care craze - they can really boost your beauty routine and, because they're so affordable, they're a really convenient way to address the ever-changing needs of your complexion. Use 1 - 2 times a week, and pick something that's tailored to your skin's requirements - whether you need a shot of radiance, to counteract congestion or to boost your skin's defences, start curating your ultimate mask force...
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Cult Beauty’s Content Editor and a Cult Beauty OG, Verity loves nothing more than the marriage of language and lip balm. A quintessential Libran, she’s a self-professed magpie for luxury ‘must-haves' and always pursuing the new and the niche — from the boujee-est skin care to cutting-edge tech. Balancing an urge to stop the clock with her desire to embrace the ageing process (and set a positive example for her daughter), Verity's a retinol obsessive and will gladly share her thoughts about the time-defying gadgets, masks and treatments worth the splurge...
