Choosing the best home facial mask for your skin or a special occasion can be hard.
There's nothing like covering your face in a cooling layer of green goo to make you feel like you've drifted away to spa.
But what is that green stuff anyway? And is it the best choice for your skin and your schedule?
Our spa girl in the field Lisa Kasanicky of
ArizonaSpaGirls.com sheds some light on what to look for in your home facial masks and when to use them.
BALANCINGFluctuations in hormones or weather changes can spike oil production. To draw out excess oil, detoxify and balance skin, try a clay or mud-based mask.
Pur Minerals Mineral Mudd Masque with a unique form of detoxifying betonite clay called Pascalite, $25 at
purminerals.com.
Lisa Hoffman Spa Facial Clay Mask with a balancing clay complex, $20 at
lisahoffmanskincare.com.
Zia Natural Skincare French Clay Purifying Mask with a blend of pink French clay and detoxifying herbs, $24 at most healthfood stores.
Jurlique Intense Recovery Mask with kaolin, herbs and plant oils, $49 at
jurlique.com.
Biore Self-Heating Mask with kaolin and zeolite for oily skin (in single-use packets great for travel), $5.99 at most drugstores.
Clarifying
CLARIFYING
When breakouts spoil your otherwise glowing complexion, Kasanicky says, try a clarifying or deep pore cleansing mask. Look for ingredients such as salicyclic acid or sulfur that attack acne. Be sure to wear sunscreen after using these types of masks.
CosMedix Clear Clarifying Mask with sulfur, minerals and naturally clarifying salicylic acid (can also be used as spot treatment), $42 at
cosmedix.com.
Bliss Steep Clean Pore Purifying Facial Mask with enzymes, salicylic acid and citrus extracts, $54 at
blissworld.com and Bliss Scottsdale.
Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque with sulfur (an oldie but goody), $4 at
drugstore.com.
Before A Big Event
Bring on the glow with these uplifting, energizing, tightening treatments.
Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Facial Mask with oxygen molecules and Vitamin C, $52 at
blissworld.com and Bliss Scottsdale.
Zia 15 Minute Face Lift kit with plumping wheat proteins and seaweed extracts, $20.95 at
zianatural.com.
Koh Gen Do Macro Vintage Essence Mask with nourishing Chinese herbs and moisturizers, $96 at
kohgendocosmetics.com.
Sephora Power Mask - Hydrogel Face Mask and Eye Mask with a super-hydrating infusion of hyaluronic acid, $8 to $10 at
sephora.com and Sephora stores.
LUSH Aeysha Fresh Face Mask with witch hazel, vitamins and rose oil, $5.95 in LUSH stores only (must be refrigerated).
Tips for using beauty masks
If you're prone to allergic reactions, test the mask on the inside of your arm before applying to your face.
Always apply facial masks to clean skin and follow the directions on the label.
To intensify the glow and prolong its effectiveness, keep your mask in the frig.
Be sure to slather on the sunscreen after using a clarifying or exfoliating mask as they may make skin more sensitive.
Use masks no more than once a week unless directed otherwise by a qualified professional.
You can find great spa deals, insider spa information, and at home beauty treaments at
ArizonaSpaGirls.com.
