6 Beauty Benefits of Peel-Off Face Masks

Peel-off masks are named so because you literally peel them off your face. There’s something incredibly satisfying about the process – partly because you literally feel your skin becoming soft and smooth, and partly because you can see all the bad stuff that’s been removed from your pores. Because of their cleansing properties, peel-off masks are a great alternative to face scrubs and chemical peels.

They Exfoliate the Skin Like a Pro

Peel-off masks remove the outermost layer of dead skin along with dust, dirt and excess oil, making your skin clean, smooth and radiant right away. They are considered gentler than sugar/salt scrubs that can scratch the skin, or than chemical peels that can cause adverse reactions in people with sensitive skin. Of course, frequent exfoliation can’t be good for your skin regardless of the type of exfoliant you use, so you shouldn’t use peel-off masks more often than once a week.

They Unclog Pores

In addition to cleaning the skin surface, peel-off masks remove some of the dirt, grime and sebum from your pores. You can even see the stuff that has been removed from your pores when you peel the mask off your face. Of course, peel-off masks won’t help you get rid of what’s deep down in your pores, but they do remove blackheads and make the skin look clearer. For a better cleansing and detox effect, opt for masks that contain activated carbon (charcoal) or clay – both ingredients are great absorbents.

They Control Oily Shine

Peel-off masks remove excess oil from the skin without drying it out (of course, if you don’t use them too often). This means that they help get rid of oily shine and give you a natural matte and glowing complexion. If you have combination skin, you can apply the mask only to the T-zone area (nose, forehead and chin) to balance your complexion.

They Help Get Rid of Peach Fuzz

While fine facial hair isn’t always noticeable, some people search for ways to get rid of peach fuzz. Peel-off masks stick to fine hairs on your skin and gently uproot them when you peel the mask off. As a result, they eliminate peach fuzz and make the skin smoother.

They Don’t Just Cleanse

Although peel-off masks are first and foremost valued for their cleansing, exfoliating and detoxing properties, they have a lot of other skin benefits. Most peel-off masks are packed with moisturizing and nourishing ingredients (for example, hyaluronic acid, plant extracts, vitamin C and other antioxidants) that help keep the skin hydrated, slow down the aging process, reduce fine line and wrinkles, produce a soothing effect, combat inflammation etc. Of course, all masks differ from each other, so you need to carefully read the description and ingredient list if you’re looking for a particular effect.

They’re Easy to Apply (If You Follow a Couple of Rules)

All you need to do is slather the mask all over your clean face, wait until it dries and peel it off your skin. However, there are several things that you need to keep in mind. First, don’t apply the product on your eyebrows or hairline. Besides, you should avoid the eye and mouth area. To protect these areas, you can apply some facial cream or Vaseline to make sure the mask doesn’t stick. Second, don’t rub your skin if the mask doesn’t come off in one layer. Use a cotton pad soaked in make-up remover or micellar water to get rid of whatever’s left on your skin.