Exfoliating Creams, Modeling masks and Facial Mask Brushes
Exfoliating Creams, Modeling masks and Facial Mask Brushes
Cleansing and hydration are the basics of all skin care. Removing age spots, blemishes, reducing wrinkles and lines and other aspects of a skin care regimen are based on having clean and hydrated skin. We live on a polluted planet and the pollutants that are in the air are continually attacking the skin. If they are not removed regularly, skin problems and signs of aging are accelerated. As the countless ads you see on TV and in magazines tell you, simply washing the face with soap and water is never enough. Most soaps only remove surface dirt. And those that promise "deep cleaning" may do a little bit more, but along with the dirt they remove from the pores of the skin a large amount of natural oils are also taken away, leaving the skin dry and rough. Regular washing, the use of an exfoliating cream and a modeling mask are the basics of a good skin care regimen.
Exfoliating Creams
Regular washing and the use of cleansing creams takes away the surface grime and some part of the dirt that is in the pores. But it does not remove the dead skins cells effectively. The skin keeps regenerating itself and replaces dead cells with new ones. Unless these dead cells are removed, they leave the skin rough and looking patchy and blemished. The regular use of exfoliating creams will remove the dead cells and keep your skin smooth and clear.
The type of exfoliating cream you use will depend on which part of the body you want to apply it on. These creams are grainy in texture and designed to act as a gentle abrasive to rub off the dead skin. They also contain hydrating and moisturizing ingredients to leave the skin soft and prevent irritation. For the face where the skin is most sensitive, you need a cream with a very fine grainy feel. For other parts of the body where the skin is less sensitive and harder, a stronger graininess will be better.
Apply a small amount of the exfoliating cream to the back of the hand following the manufacturer's directions. If there is any irritation, this cream is not right for you. Keep trying this until you find a cream that suits your skin.
Once you have found the right cream, make sure you follow the directions for use. Do not experiment or mix two different types of exfoliating creams, even if your friends have told you about the great results they have gotten by doing this. An exfoliating cream is a chemical compound and tampering with the formula can cause serious skin problems. Also do not rub the cream in too hard. These creams are designed to scrub away dead cells with normal pressure and rubbing them hard against the skin will not produce any better results, and it could cause skin irritation and rashes. Use your finger tips and a gentle circular motion to apply the cream, unless otherwise recommended by the manufacturer.
Exfoliating creams are not meant for daily use. Never exceed the usage advised by the maker you could end up rubbing off healthy skin and itchiness, dryness, skin rashes and other problems could result.
Modeling masks
Masks have been a part of skin care from the beginning of civilization. There is evidence that women in ancient Egypt applied mud from the banks of the Nile to refresh their skins. A modeling mask is exactly what the name implies. It is a layer of medicinal mud, clay or a combination of other ingredients and chemicals that is applied to the face to cover it completely and form a mask. What ever the mask may be comprised of, the aim of a modeling mask remains the same- the remove impurities from the skin, hydrate it and leave it firmer and softer. Some modeling masks are removed after use by washing them off and others, like a clay mask, become solid and can be lifted off the face.
You need to start with a clean dry skin that's why washing and exfoliating before using a modeling mask is ideal. Just before applying the mask, rinse your face with warm water this opens the pores and allows the mask to have the maximum effect. Whatever the ingredients of the mask, it comes in a viscous semi-solid form and is usually packed in jars or tubes. This viscosity makes is easy to apply and ensures that the stays on the face and does not run down to the neck or below. In the case of clay based modeling masks, it is a good idea to first place a small amount on the back of the hand for a minute. These masks are designed to work best at body temperature and allowing the mask material to warm up on the hand will make application easier and ensure better penetration into the pores. How deep the mask penetrates into the pores determines how effective it is. The mask works by sticking to the pollutants, dirt and toxins trapped in the pores and carrying them away when the mask is removed.
Applying the mask with a facial mask brush is better than applying it by hand. The brush ensures a smooth even application and because of its soft nature, it allows the mask to get into the fine lines and wrinkles on the skin that a finger will only move over. Start by taking a small amount of the mask material on the brush and working from the base of the neck upwards, applying it evenly to the skin in firm upwards strokes. Use enough pressure to ensure that the mask sticks to the skin, but no more. Pressing harder will not ensure greater penetration into the pores and may leave your skin looking bruised.
Unless specified by the maker, there is no specific thickness to be maintained. Use enough of the material to cover the skin completely. Anything more is a waste as it is only the part of the mask that is in contact with the face that goes into the skin anything more is just surplus. A good thumb rule to follow is to have the thickness of the mask the same as that of a layer of aluminum foil pressed against the skin. While modeling masks are designed to be safe and non-irritating to the skin, it is a good idea to be careful when applying it around the eyes and ensure that only a very fine coating is applied. This is the area of the face that is most sensitive especially the skin just below the eyes.
Allow the mask to dry as per the manufacturers recommendations and remove it as instructed. Keeping it on after that will not produce any extra results. In the case of a clay or other solidifying modeling mask, allow the mask to dry till it is solid it should feel hard when you tap it with your finger. Then allow it to stay on for another 10 or 15 minutes. You can then gently lift it away from the skin. There may be a slight feeling of stickiness and you may feel a tug against the skin as it is lifted away. That is normal and is the result of the dirt and toxins being lifted out of the pores.
After lifting away the mask, wash your face with warm water and a washcloth. This will reopen the pores and allow any minute bits if clay that may remain on the skin to be removed. Pat your face dry and then rinse it with cold water to close the pores and prevent any dirt from entering. And that's it. Most masks also work to hydrate the skin and help it retain moisture so it does not feel dry and flaky when the mask is removed. If your skin is especially sensitive and you do feel some dryness, just apply a little moisturizer.
Using a modeling mask is easy and relaxing. Lie back with a magazine or watch TV while the mask is on. Do not try talking on the phone or eating anything while the mask is on. The movement of the facial muscles will cause the skin to shift under the mask and reduce its effectiveness. Also do not drink any hot liquids. The heat, as the cup nears the face, can cause some types of masks to soften.
Once the modeling mask is removed, you will find the skin on your face taught, firm and smooth. Not only will you look great, you will feel that way. Using a modeling mask benefits your overall health too. Your skin is the largest organ of your body and forms a shield over it to prevent germs, toxins and pollutants from entering your system. The cleaner and healthier your skin is, the better it will work to protect your body.
Facial Mask Brushes
Using a facial mask brush to apply a mask is better than using your fingers. You face has minute crevasses, wrinkles and lines that you cannot see. A finger with the mask material on it will simply pass over these and the mask will not enter. The bristles of a fine brush will get in to these places and allow the mask to be most effective. The best facial mask brushes are small. Your face is not a canvas to be covered with large brush strokes. It has contours and areas that are difficult to penetrate and which only the bristles of a fine brush can enter. Facial mask brushes made out of boar's bristles or any other material that is a fine and flexible are the best. A brush head of 1 to 1.25 inches is ideal as it will be easy to maneuver over the contours of the face. The handle should be long enough to hold comfortably but not so long that it pokes you when you are using it. 5 to 6 inches is usually ideal. Look for handles that are made of wood they are more comfortable and which are non slip. Facial mask brushes with the bristles crimped in place with an nickel or other hard metal plate are better than those with the bristles glued on there is less chance of the bristles getting loose and falling off.
Take a small amount of the mask on the facial mask brush and apply it to the skin in smooth even strokes, starting from the base of the neck and moving upwards towards the forehead. If, at the end of the stroke the application is uneven, quickly move to smoothen it out with the brush. You need to be careful but quick in your application as some clay masks begin to harden very quickly. Use enough pressure on the brush to ensure that the mask gets into all the corners and contours of your face. Pressing too hard will not only cause skin irritation but also cause the brush to lose it shape quickly.
With proper care, facial mask brushes can last a long time. Make sure you clean the brush after every use. First of all rinse it with cold water never use hot water as it could damage the bristles. Then place a drop of shampoo on the palm of one hand and use gentle side to side movements of the wet brush to work up a lather. Do not press straight down on the brush head and this will cause the brush to lose its shape. Hold the bristles flat under running water and gently rub them until they are clean. Dry the brush by covering it with a towel and gently pressing down. Then allow the brush to lie flat on a counter top with the bristles hanging over the edge to complete the drying process. Once the brush is dry, if you find that the bristles are a bit rough, apply a little hair conditioner and rinse it off, exactly as you do with your hair after a shampoo. Never leave the brush in a vertical position with the bristles down this will cause the brush head to open out and lose shape. Also never leave the brush soaking in water as this could damage the wooden handle and the metal crimp.
Facial mask brushes take a long time to wear out. But if you find your brush has lost its shape or that the bristles have become rough and irritate the skin, replace the brush immediately to avoid skin damage.
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