When it comes to skincare, we all love instant results, not small changes that can take a while to become noticeable. Unfortunately, skincare doesn’t work quite like that and it’s not unusual to wait two skin cycles (each cycle is four to six weeks) to see the benefits of your chosen skincare products. However! for those who are a little impatient (me included), the instant gratification a face mask gives, makes it for me, one of the most enjoyable and satisfying skincare products to use. Think of them like a flash treatment designed to optimise your skin in the shortest amount of time possible.
If you are new to masking, there are so many great ones to explore. If you’re looking to combat blocked pores and shine, you can’t beat a clay formula, for dull skin days, a brightening one always works a treat and if your skin is feeling parched, a hydrating one will work wonders. Whatever your skin type or skin concern, whether you have five minutes or the whole night, I’ve got the perfect mask for your next self-care Sunday, or any day of the week, for that matter and with party season just around the corner, some masks to have you glowing too!
Caudalie Moisturising Mask
This is an intensive replenishing hydrating treatment that comes to the rescue of parched, stressed skin, alleviating tightness, discomfort and signs of irritation. Enriched with powerful, antioxidant-rich grape extracts, Vinolevure® to soothe and strengthen, grape seed oil to nourish and hyaluronic acid to attract and retain much-needed moisture – this revitalising mask infuses skin with precious nutrients to restore radiance and leave skin looking enviably plump and dewy. Just apply generously to face and neck and leave for 15 minutes before rinsing to reveal a glowing visage, €24 from selected pharmacies nationwide and online from lookfantastic.com
Gallinée Face Mask and Scrub
I love a two-in-one product and this one from French skincare brand Gallinée works hard to give the skin an instant radiance boost by delicately exfoliating the skin and stimulating microcirculation. Combining kaolin clay, revitalising sea minerals and antioxidant Vitamin E with the brand’s patented biotic complex of prebiotics, probiotics and lactic acid, the powerful treatment draws out impurities, smooths and nourishes the skin, leaving your complexion brighter, more refined and revitalised, €26, from selected pharmacies nationwide and online from meddirect.ie
Garnier Moisture Bomb Tissue Mask
This super-hydrating revitalising mask for dehydrated skin is enriched with pomegranate extract, hyaluronic acid, and plant serum, to intensely rehydrate skin, reduce the look of fine lines, and revive radiance. Simply smooth one over your face, watch your favourite TV show or Netflix series and let it work its magic. The mask acts as a barrier to seal in the ingredients so that your skin has to soak them up, rather than any evaporating from the surface. Once you’re done, simply massage any excess serum into your skin and let it soak up the goodness for a complexion that instantly looks and feels better, €3.99 from selected pharmacies nationwide.
Exuviance Detox Mud Mask
Suitable for all skin types but especially oily and blemish-prone skins, this mask instantly decongests, reduces the visibility of enlarged pores and purifies the skin, without leaving it feeling dry and tight. Unlike traditional mud masks, the silky-smooth formula is easy to apply – it doesn’t pull or drag across the skin – and it’s quick to remove. Alongside a blend of three different oil-absorbing natural clays, it also contains Japanese Binchotan Charcoal, which acts like a magnet to sweep up pore-clogging impurities and environmental toxins from the surface and from within the pores. Plant extracts restore balance and skin is left looking clearer and brighter, with fewer blackheads and less shine after each use, €39 from exuviance.ie, use code SHERNA20 at checkout and receive 20 per cent off.
REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask
Want to see results in just ten minutes? The formula in this mask is able to renew the complexion in little or no time due to a hardworking cocktail of four AHAs’ – Glycolic, Citric, Lactic and Tartaric Acid which work in synergy to perform a multi-action exfoliation on the face. This eliminates dead skin cells, resurfaces the top layer of skin to visibly improve skin tone and reduces the appearance of enlarged pores. Acne scars, hyperpigmentation and areas of sun damage are also visibly reduced. Once removed, the Radiance Renewal Mask reveals a brighter complexion that appears smooth, firm and uniform, €41.95 from selected pharmacies nationwide, online lookfantastic.ie
Uriage Eau Thermale Water Sleeping Mask
Looking for the “eight hours of sleep” refreshed and awake look, then this mask is for you. Super hydrating and ultra-light this night mask leaves skin texture smooth, fully moisturised, supple and plumped. It’s like giving your skin a big drink of water. Edelweiss extract, an antioxidant also brightens the complexion, giving skin a glow. Uriage is a French pharmacy brand made for sensitive skin and based on thermal water, similar to La Roche Posay, Vichy and Bioderma. Apply a thin layer on a cleansed face and let it act all night, rinsing off in the morning, €17.95 from selected pharmacies nationwide, online cosmeticsonline.ie
Dr Hauschka Soothing Mask
A face mask made with 100 per cent natural ingredients and suitable for most skin types, this mask calms and fortifies sensitive skin, reducing redness and irritation while also adding moisture and hydration. Great for fragile, stressed skin, or skin prone to irritation, redness or sensitivity. Carefully selected extracts of mullein, lady’s mantle, anthyllis and witch hazel water work together to soothe, balance and calm the skin, reducing redness and leaving skin feeling smooth, and looking more even toned and radiant. For skin that is particularly sensitive or prone to redness, mix a small amount of Soothing Mask with your regular day cream, €33.95 from selected health stores nationwide and online from drh.ie.
Soap & Glory Puffy Eye Attack Under-Eye Brightening Hydrogel Patches
We sometimes forget about the eye area when it comes to masking, but skin this delicate requires some extra TLC. I love an eye mask as they can be used as and when for a much-needed boost, dark circles anyone! This single use one from Soap & Glory has PUFFEASE™ technology (a tripeptide that reduces the appearance of puff) and super-naturally good ingredients including cucumber fruit juice and liquorice root extract. It smooths, revitalises, brightens and moisturises the eye area while you rest and relax. Out of 50 women who tried this mask, 88 per cent said the skin around their eyes looked brighter AND more radiant after use, and 96 per cent said tired eyes looked more awake #addtobasket, €2.99, from Boots.
As always, if you have any beauty concerns you would like to ask me about, please email hello@shernamalone.ie. You can also follow me on Instagram and Facebook @shernamalone.ie. If you would like to begin your journey to healthy beautiful skin, I am available by appointment in Solace Holistic Centre Clonakilty where I offer Skincare Consultations, Murad Facial Treatments, Facial Peel Treatments, Thalgo Brightening Facial Treatments, Teen Facials and Rejuvapen Micro Needling – all details of these and my Tween and Teen Courses are on shernamalone.ie.
