Thursday November 12, 2009

Mask a must

By PATSY KAM

Just one extra step to glowing skin.

MOST people would have a daily beauty regimen of sorts. Basic skincare would include cleansing, toning and moisturising. However, one of the most essential parts of skincare that’s often neglected is the facial mask.

According to Laneige Malaysia’s training and retail manager Penny Lai, applying a facial mask is essential in a weekly skincare routine.

“Most people don’t bother to apply a mask because they feel it’s a hassle. You have to wait a while before it can be rinsed or peeled off. But skipping this step will result in the face looking dull and less nourished,” she says.

Essential: ‘Masks can deeply exfoliate and cleanse your face, tighten pores and moisturise the skin,’ says Laneige training and retail manager Penny Lai.

Facial masks can be used two or three times a week, depending on the type and texture of the masks. Some hydration masks like the Laneige Sleeping Pack, which is a gel-based mask, can be left overnight for greater absorption, while others have to be rinsed off after 10 minutes.

“Masks can deeply exfoliate and cleanse your face, tighten pores and moisturise the skin. When you remove the top layer of dead skin cells, you expose the healthier layer of skin beneath. It evens out skin tone, leaving the skin smoother and more radiant.

“When applying a facial mask, gently massage the products onto the face. This will ensure that the mask is thoroughly spread and, with that pressure applied, blood circulation will be increased,” she adds.

There is no one-mask-fits-all. Different types of masks suit different skin types and concerns. Hydration masks are typically for supplying moisture and hydration to the skin. One of the easiest masks to use is the sheet mask that aims to soothe and energise the face. Sheet masks (like the Laneige Star White Treatment Mask) or cream masks usually address hydration concerns while clay masks are supposed to deep-cleanse the skin.

For people with dry to normal skin, Lai recommends a deep-cleansing mask or one that gives the face that extra radiance after deep cleansing.

Clay or mud masks, she says, are best suited for oily skin as they deeply cleanse the skin. These masks are on the heavy side and open up pores to minimise blackheads. They also serve to eliminate excess sebum from the skin to prevent clogging.

“On the other hand, dry skin requires masks that provide hydration rather than remove excess oil. This helps to add moisture to the skin and ensure that the skin is rejuvenated.” For more mature skin, firming masks, usually in cream form, are used to good effect, to help tighten skin that has lost its elasticity.

Lai gives a few basic instructions for mask application.

“Cleanse your face with the appropriate facial wash for your skin type and rinse off. If you have the time, steam the face or soak a towel in hot water to place on the face for a while. This will ensure deeper penetration of the mask and help open up the pores.

“Apply the mask all over the face, avoiding the sensitive eye area. Rinse off the mask with cold water which will help to tighten the pores. Don’t forget to apply a moisturiser after the mask,” she says.

One of the latest offerings from Laneige is the new and improved Water Sleeping Pack_EX. It not only moisturises, but also brightens the skin and is touted to help give you a good night’s sleep, thanks to its innovative formula. The gel-based light mask is supposed to give higher water retention compared with its predecessor, and contains ingredients like beta glucan and ceramid SLN that soothe the skin and enhance skin barriers to prevent moisture loss.

Other extracts like Hunza apricot and chestnut help even out skin tone while the patented aromatic essence is claimed to improve the quality of sleep.