This probably isn’t a very new tip, but I think its worth giving a go.
I sometimes use a clay mask off and on for dealing with spots and the like and I like the super clean feel of my skin after my clay or deep purifying mask sessions. I regularly use the Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Mask or Aesop Primrose Facial Cleansing Mask and they both make my skin feel lovely and clean… but also a little dry.
I would usually then follow up quite quickly with my usual skincare – moisturizer and toner. But I experimented recently with following up my clay or purifying mask with a hydrating mask and I loved how my skin felt and looked after that!
Clay masks or deep cleansing masks help draw out impurities on the skin but as anyone who has used it will realize, your skin does tend to feel a little tight after that. Moisturizing immediately after a clay mask helps, but if you use a moisturizing mask immediately after that, the skin feels much more comfortable.
I usually use the Clarins HydraQuench Cream Mask which does the job very well or a moisturizing sheet mask. Sometimes, if I don’t use a moisture mask, I follow up with a sleeping pack, like the Laneige Water Sleeping Pack EX or just applying a thick layer of gel cream to act as a mask.
I find that this two step process helps my skin regain its plump hydrated texture and feels more comfortable. Also, my skin looks better too – brighter and if I use a sheet mask, cooler to the touch and pores look smaller.
Do give it a try and see how it works for you 
Or if you already do this, do share the 2 masks you use – I’m always curious to see what works for others
Paris B
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[ 52 comments… read them below or join the discussion ]
You damn genius la. I’ve been wondering about that but have never actually done that. Will give it a go tonight.
Yay! I hope you like it
Twitter: huixin
August 9, 2011 at 8:52 am
i have been practicing this
whenever i use a deep cleansing mask, it is always followed by a moisturizing mask. i learnt this tip from my facial trips ^_^
xin recently blogged…Nail Polish Storage Idea: Ikea Helmer
I noticed this from going to facials too
*high 5* How nice to replicate this at home eh?
Twitter: HannyiNefMor
August 9, 2011 at 8:55 am
OOOO… Thanks for the tip PB. ^.^ Usually, I just settle with the clay mask because my skin does not need THAT much hydrating, heh heh. I do love the tingling feeling it gives though.
Hanny recently blogged…FOTD: Time For This Goth To Get A Little… Sparkly.
I like the whole cleansing process too and that tingling – a bit masochistic eh? But the hydrating mask that follows seems to absorb much better and infuse all this moisture into my skin. Its great – try it and see
Twitter: lipglosseater
August 9, 2011 at 9:14 am
I do this at least once a week! Hehe!! Always makes my skin super bright after!
Jenn recently blogged…Off!
Yay! I usually do it on Sundays too
Helps prepare me for the week ahead
hehe i also do this after a 20min face steam and scrub, twice a week. time consuming but think of it as a relaxing spa!
With a steam no less! Luxurious indeed
And its great having your own home spa too
I follow up my clay masks (TBS tea tree mask, Seaweed ionic mask and Queen Helene Mint Julep mask and Himalaya Neem Pack) with a sheet mask (usually from My Beauty Diary) or the Laneige Sleeping Pack. I usually save the Clarins Hydraquench for days when my skin oily-combi skin feels especially parched and flaky.
I just got a tube of Himalaya Neem Pack due to the raves I’ve read about it
Have used it a couple of times thus far and I kinda like it too
Twitter: midnight_plue
August 9, 2011 at 10:19 am
that’s what i normally do when i have the time
plue recently blogged…Happiness Is…
Great to know! Have any fave masks?
Twitter: midnight_plue
August 9, 2011 at 1:28 pm
lately NOPS clay mask is being used every week, then I slap on the holika rose mask
blissful!
plue recently blogged…Happiness Is…
Ah that Holika mask!
Smelt lovely
I’m going to try tonight!
Do let us know how you like it after you’ve tried it!
I normally use a sheet mask after a deep cleansing mask
I love Sexy Look mask!
nicoles mirror recently blogged…Tarte Friends & Family SALE!
Sexy Look mask! That’s a new one by me
I use either Aesop Primrose Cleansing Masque/ Shaklee clay mask and follow up with any of the sheet masks I have in hand. It’s like a mini spa session for myself, prior to that I do an olive oil cleansing/srub. However recently, I have very sensitive skin due to hormonal changes, I stopped using clay mask or any masks at the moment.Any recommendation on masks for sensitive skins? I tried Juice Organics and its not helping much.
Hmm not too familiar with masks for sensitive skins – i hope someone out there has an idea
I have sensitive skin too. I use Cellnique Bio Renewal Masque (mix with Cellnique Milk Cleanser) and then follow with Cellnique Intesnsive Hydrating Masque. So far it works well for me =)
Sometimes I also use MyBeautyDiaries sheet mask!
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Cellnique Soothing & Hydrating Masque. Been using it for years now, and I have horribly sensitive skin. It’s the only mask that actually helps my moisturise and keep my sensitive skin calm.
Oops…It should be Cellnique Soothing & Hydrating Masque.
I love that masque too!
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Thanks Stephy & Stephanie,
Will look out for it!
Hehehe Stephy and Stephanie
You’re welcome! Hope it will help you
Sure did help with mine haha.
Stephanie/Yukaeshi recently blogged…What’s In My Bag Part Deux
went hunting for clay masks at Guardians just now..and didn’t really find any…. i used to use St.Ives’ clay mask..but i think they’ve discontinued that..is the Himalaya Neem pack a mask?…or any other more ‘pharmacy’ type of clay masks that you can think of?..Thx!
Yes the Himalaya Herbals Neem Pack is a mask too
I got a tube just recently and have been using it a few times. Its not bad really for the price and all.
Hello! I usually use Queen Helene’s Mint Julep mask followed by a sheet mask because I’m currently on a roll with them! :p
Nice! Have heard a lot about the Queen Helene Mint Julep mask from yonks ago – but never tried (its stupid to ship a US$2 mask for US$40) >.<
I have dry, sensitive skin now. When I was younger and had oily skin and acne I used either The Body Shops’s clay mask or Simple’s clay mask, but as I grew older hormonal changes caused my skin to be dry and sensitive. I tried using Aesop’s Primrose Cleansing clay mask before my usual Cellnique Soothing & Hydrating Masque, but my skin still remained kind of dry so I have to skip the clay mask part
Stephanie/Yukaeshi recently blogged…What’s In My Bag Part Deux
I think if you have dryish skin there’s no need for a clay mask. I’d skipped using clay masks for a long time now, and only went back to it because of my battle with spots.
Thanks for the tip. I’ve been curious to try this but for some reason, haven’t yet. Must remedy that soon.
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Give it a go Gio – hope you like it!
I used to do that too. However, I find that the origins clear improvement mask is not drying. So I stopped.
Oh this is the mask you recommended me! I shall bear it in mind should I have another bout of breakouts
Twitter: toughcookee
August 9, 2011 at 7:52 pm
I do this when I really have time, which was aaaages ago *sigh* nowadays I’m lucky enough to complete my bath without hearing the baby screams to be fed or my pwincesh searching for me to play with her
darn… I really should start doing this again…
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Twitter: toughcookee
August 9, 2011 at 7:57 pm
Oh, forgot to tell you my favourite hydrating masks are definitely Aveda hydrating mask (it has a clear gel texture that goes on so smooth and cooling!) And Dermalogica hydrating mask. Both are good but Aveda’s could be slightly less costly. My fav purifying mask is Kiehl’s rare earth and Dior’s Diorsnow purifying mask.
Juan recently blogged…Part 2: The ASUS Eee Pad Transformer
Mmm the Aveda mask sounds lovely! you make me want to try it!
Twitter: toughcookee
August 10, 2011 at 8:34 pm
You like going to BVII, right? Aveda is there. I forgot the full name of the mask but it comes in a clear tube. It is really soothing and have a nice light rose-y scent but not sure if it is moisturising enough for drier skin.
Juan recently blogged…Part 2: The ASUS Eee Pad Transformer
Oh I think I remember seeing the shop! I’ll drop by and take a look some day
Aiyo you need time to yourself m’dear! Perhaps in a few months when baby has settled down
haha i always do this. i use the Watson’s brand Chocolate Face Mud Mask, then follow up with this Daiso RM5 moisturizer, which is like the H2o moisturizer, i just slather a thick layer over my face like a sleeping pack! works amazingly well!
You lucky girl to be able to use all these inexpensive products! I actually daren’t put anything by Daiso near my face
i always think i should do that but i m always too lazy
i m currently using bloom’s clean with envy green clay mask, love it very much, it cleanses and is not drying at all, it is also packed with essential oils thus the smell is very soothing, as for moisturising mask i usually use different varieties of sheet mask, but i think i m getting the hydraquench mask soon
Oh I don’t always do it too because of laziness
That’s why a sleeping pack comes in useful because you don’t have to wash off and can go straight to bed! 
Thanks for sharing your masks .
Great tip, PB! I do this too, but not often. Too much effort, lazy lah! Mostly during winter, but I should probably start making it a routine.
At the moment, I’m using Dermalogica Skin Refining Masque and to hydrate, basically just using sheet masks from My Beauty Diary.
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How do u do it? I mean u wash it first right after the clay mask dries up and continue immediately with hydrating mask?
Twitter: paris_b
April 9, 2012 at 2:04 pm
Yep. Wash off the clay mask, follow up with a hydrating mask and then skincare.
Hi Paris! Normally I use Clarins hydraquench mask after my Lancôme clay mask. But I need to check with you, normally after you apply your hydraquench mask, how do you wash it off? I was told by the salesgirl, I have to apply toner prior and after the Hydo mask then followed by moisturizer, I think it’s a bit troublesome.
Twitter: paris_b
July 2, 2012 at 4:45 pm
I usually just wash off the mask as normal. Most of the time, it would have absorbed anyway. Then, I follow up with lotion and moisturiser. Hope that helps!