All skin types require daily hydration to prevent premature skin aging, the appearance of fine lines, loss of radiance, and feelings of tightness. Hydrating masks are relevant treatments to provide a shot of hydration to the skin and strengthen the cohesion of the skin barrier, thereby limiting insensible water loss.
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How to use a hydrating face mask?
Summary
Published March 2, 2022,
updated on February 15, 2024,
by
Maylis, Chemical Engineer
—
6 min read
Why use a hydrating mask?
Skin dehydration is an occasional issue and is not associated with a specific skin type. In other words, a dry skin can be dehydrated, just like an oily skin, normal or combination skin. Generally, skin dehydration is due to a lack of water supply in the upper layer of the skin due to daily diet, a temporary alteration of the skin barrier, and/or poor lifestyle habits. Moreover, over the years, the decrease in hyaluronic acid content (a macromolecule capable of retaining up to 1,000 times its weight in water) in the dermis also affects the deep hydration of the skin.
Regarding the symptoms, a dehydrated skin tends to "show" more, revealing dehydration fine lines, especially around the crow's feet area where the skin is thinner. It can also be accompanied by feelings of tightness and a loss of radiance associated with a dull complexion, looking tired.
In response to this, it is recommended to apply treatments containing moisturizing active ingredients such as thealoe vera extract or the hyaluronic acid. For an immediate effect on skin hydration, it is also advised to use moisturizing masks.
What is a hydrating mask?
Generally, a hydrating mask is a treatment with a thick, even waxy texture rich in hygroscopic compounds capable of retaining water in the superficial layers of the skin. Its immediate action helps to reduce dehydration fine lines and gives the skin a plumped appearance. In the cosmetic market, this type of treatment is available in cream, gel, or fabric textures. It is generally recommended for all skin types but is particularly suitable for dehydrated skin, prone to tightness and discomfort.
How to apply a hydrating mask?
Firstly, a hydrating mask is applied to a cleansed, makeup-free and dry skin. To enhance the penetration of active ingredients through the skin and remove impurities/excess sebum that clog the pores, it may be relevant to perform a scrub just before using the hydrating mask on the face. In this regard, depending on your skin type, you can use the radiance face scrub (for dry, uncomfortable and/or dull skin) or the regenerating face scrub (for dry skin showing signs of skin aging).
Following the exfoliation, the hydrating mask can be applied evenly on dry skin in a semi-thick layer while avoiding the eye contour. For this step, the mask can be spread directly with the fingers or with a brush, to distribute the treatment evenly. It is recommended to leave the mask on for 10 minutes before rinsing the face with clear water. It is generally advised to perform this type of treatment once to twice a week.
Tip : Apply a moisturizing product to prolong the effects of the mask. Right after it, you can, for instance, use the face moisturizing cream with 9 ingredients, enriched with hyaluronic acid and coconut oil. If you prefer a lighter texture, the hydrating serum based on hyaluronic acid and provitamin B5 compensates for the natural decrease of hyaluronic acid in the skin for a hydrated, plump, and smoother skin. You can also include in your beauty routine the plumping serum concentrated in polyglutamic acid. It is capable of absorbing 5,000 times its weight in water, thus possessing an excellent ability to retain hydration in the skin and limit dehydration.
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