Hydrating facial masks usually come in over-the-counter and homemade varieties and usually are used to hydrate dry or irritated skin. These masks might also contain ingredients used to exfoliate the skin or decrease the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Hydrating facial masks usually are found in cream form, allowing the mask to continuously hydrate the skin for the duration of time that the mask is on an individual’s face. Other hydrating facial masks include organic masks and masks that come as ready-to-use sheets instead of in cream form.
Homemade hydrating facial masks can be made with a variety of ingredients, including honey, yogurt and oatmeal. It is important for an individual to ensure that any ingredients used are compatible with his or her skin type. Testing in a small area of the face might help an individual avoid extensive irritation from a homemade hydrating mask.
Most hydrating facial masks are found in cream form, enabling the product to work deeply into the pores to nourish and rehydrate the skin. These cream masks are applied to the skin and usually remain there for about 15 minutes. Cream-based masks are often heavier than most facial lotions, so it is recommended that an individual not use these masks every day. The use of hydrating facial masks once a week and lotion on other days of the week is usually sufficient for most skin types.
Although they are commonly found in cream form, hydrating facial masks also come in the form of pre-soaked sheets. These sheets already contain all of the necessary ingredients and can be simply placed on an individual’s face, usually remaining there overnight. This option tends to be less messy than creams, but it also means that the user must keep the sheet on his or her face overnight to get the full benefits of the mask.
Organic hydrating facial masks use only natural ingredients. Many people enjoy using these types of masks because they can avoid putting anything containing chemicals on their faces, and the masks usually contain no strong scents. Many organic masks contain essential oils and other plant ingredients, so individuals should carefully read the labels to ensure that no skin allergies occur.
Hydrating facial masks might also contain ingredients to help combat the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face. These masks might contain antioxidants and herbal ingredients that help fight signs of aging. Some anti-aging hydrating masks are meant to be left on the face, and others are meant to be rinsed off in the same manner as normal masks.