There’s nothing like the feeling of unwinding after a long day with a face mask. Whether it’s blending a dollop of serum gently into your skin or laying a hydrating, nutrient-filled mask over your face, a face mask is an easy way to treat yourself—and add an extra boost to your skincare routine.

In fact, you may have heard that face masks—filled with a host of nourishing and restoring ingredients—are the key to glowing, healthy-looking skin. But what does that mean exactly, and how can you best make use of them during your day-to-day skin care routine.

In this guide, we’ll explore 5 short- and long-term benefits of face masks for the skin.

#1 They Hydrate Your Skin

Hydration is one of the most important aspects of maintaining healthy-looking skin over time. Keeping your skin hydrated can help protect your skin barrier against environmental damage from dirt, oil and grime.

Without a solid protective barrier, your skin is susceptible to the negative effects of these external factors, which may lead to a dull complexion and can even contribute to premature aging over time.¹

That’s why face masks are a fabulous addition to your skincare routine - to help preserve hydration and keep your skin barrier supported.²

How to Maximize Hydration

It’s important to make sure you’re getting the most out of your face mask by learning how to use face mask products properly. Take advantage of the added hydrating boost by using face masks before:

• Applying makeup – If you’ve ever put on makeup over tight, dry skin, you’ll know just how flaky the product can become. Keep your skin plump and hydrated with our Evercalm Ultra Comforting Rescue Mask to calm, soothe, and moisturize the spots that need it. This is especially important if you’re preparing for a special occasion since you’re more likely to apply a full face of makeup that may dry out your skin.
  
  

• Going to sleep – Using an overnight hydrating mask can help prevent dust and sweat from settling in your skin while you’re getting your beauty sleep.³ A nighttime face mask can also help your skin retain moisture, especially in drier climates and seasons. Chances are you’ll wake up with a natural glow—a perfect start to your day.
  
  

#2 They Help to Smooth the Appearance of Your Skin

There are those days when everything just works. The sun is shining, you woke up on the right side of the bed, and your skin is flawlessly smooth. No additional effort is required.

However, when you’re dealing with any stress, lack of sleep, a packed schedule, or a new environment, your skin may not look as refreshed as it usually does. While a smoother appearance starts with hydration, your skin can also benefit from face masks with various other properties including:

• Soothing and calming effects – If you’ve ever been in a pinch—trying to conceal redness or bumpiness that just won’t go away—you’re not alone. If you’re battling uneven skin, look for a mask that can help the appearance of your skin look calmer.
  
  
• Balancing your skin – Oil, dirt, and dead skin cells trapped in your pores can make them look enlarged.⁴ Use a clay mask to smooth out the appearance of your skin, and don’t forget to moisturize afterward!
  
  
• Concentrated active ingredients – One of the primary benefits of face masks is their ability to give your skin a dose of nourishment. When it comes to silky and smooth-looking skin, soothing formulas with natural fruit-derived acids can be particularly helpful.
  
  

The good news is that finding the best face masks for your skin will help your skin get back on course. Reach for our Cosmopolitan Skin Award-winning Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask to restore radiance and evenness in your skin tone, while leaving your skin feeling softer and looking smoother.

#3 They Help to Even Out the Appearance of Your Skin Tone

It can be tempting to color correct with a heavy dose of concealer when you notice uneven skin color but first consider a nutritious face mask. Face masks are a more natural and gentle method for decreasing the appearance of pigmentation.

A corrective face mask is especially helpful when:

• Creating a “natural look” – The natural, minimal makeup—or none at all—look is a fantastic opportunity to let your fresh-faced beauty shine through. The attention will be on your complexion, so keep it in tip-top shape with a face mask that helps to even out the appearance of your skin tone to show a wide-awake look.
  
  

• Recovering from sun exposure – There’s nothing like lounging out in the grass on a bright, warm day, but if you’ve been spending your free time soaking up the sunshine, you may also notice some hyperpigmentation or dark spots on your skin.⁵ A face mask may help to balance the appearance of your skin tone.
  
  

#4 They Help to Make Your Skin Appear Brighter

No skincare routine would be complete without the all-important glow—that extra wow factor that turns a great complexion into a fabulous one.

Whether you woke up effortlessly with dewy, radiant skin or you’re looking more tired than you’d like, a trusty facial mask can help turn up the glow. To perk up and add a bright appearance, look for face masks that contain all-natural fruit-derived acids to help restore a glow to your skin.

REN: Clean and Gentle Skincare for a Fresh-Faced You

In need of some extra hydration? Find the face mask that speaks to you at REN Skincare. Our gentle products—which are formulated with clean ingredients—are sure to bring out your unique glow.

About the Author:

Camille Poggi is a doctor in Pharmacy (PharmD.) and is passionate about skincare and how the skin works in general. She specializes in the cosmetic industry and worked for renowned companies in France like L’Oréal and Chanel before moving to London. After being a training manager for 4 years, Camille is at ease with explaining how products work in the skin and how to adapt her speech according to the audience.

She joined REN in January 2020 as International Training Manager and moved to the Research & Development team earlier this year to be the new Scientific Education Manager. A tailored-made role where she assesses and leads all technical communication and ensures scientific compliance is always met. She’s also involved in new product development from the earliest stages. Finding a way to create sustainable skincare products and making sure the message is properly delivered and understood is definitely a big challenge but also her favorite part working for REN.

Sources:

1. Dr. Hegedosh. The Importance of Skin Hydration to Prevent Wrinkles & Aging Skin. https://drhegedosh.com/blog/anti-aging/the-importance-of-skin-hydration-to-prevent-wrinkles-aging-skin
2. Penn Medicine. Do Face Masks Really Work? The “Magic” Behind Face Masks — and How to Get the Most Out of Them. https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2020/march/the-magic-behind-face-masks
3. Healthline. A Beauty Mask So Easy, It Works While You Sleep. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/overnight-masks-for-glowing-skin
4. Medical News Today. What are the best ways to get rid of large pores? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320775
5. Style Craze. How to Treat Uneven Skin Tone. https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/how-to-treat-uneven-skin-tone/
6. Westlake Dermatology. Why Is It Important to Hydrate and Moisturize Skin? https://www.westlakedermatology.com/blog/moisturization-vs-hydration-why-both-are-important/
7. Cleveland Clinic. Do Face Masks Actually Work or Are They Just a Fad? https://health.clevelandclinic.org/do-face-masks-actually-work-or-are-they-just-a-fad/
8. Healthline. Do Face Masks Actually Do Anything for Your Skin? https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/do-face-masks-work
9. Style Craze. 8 Best Face Mask to Correct Uneven Skin Tone. https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/best-face-mask-for-uneven-skin-tone/
10. Healthline. Why Science Says Hyaluronic Acid Is the Holy Grail to Wrinkle-Free, Youthful Hydration. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/hyaluronic-acid