Reader Li Szu emailed me recently with a question as to whether masks and scrubs are necessary and what I’d recommend. I have included an excerpt of her email here:-
I was wondering if you could recommend an extra care/ treatment ie. scrub and masks – how often do you need to do this on top of the regular daily washes?
I dropped Li Szu a line but I thought this was an interesting question that could benefit most of us and of which I could use some of your thoughts too.
Essentially, what I told Li Szu was that I did not think that scrubs and masks were strictly “necessary”. It is nice for our skins once a week and it can help problematic skin e.g. oily skin, dry skin but it isn’t “necessary” if you have normal skin. Do you have thoughts on this?
That said, I enjoy doing scrubs and masks so I do them once a week or when I remember. Usually, I do my masks after a scrub because I feel it works better on exfoliated skin. Some masks and scrubs I like and use often are listed below.
Facial masks I like:-
I also like various sheet masks for the convenience factor. Its fuss free and helps keep skin moisturized although benefits are quite debatable but I’ll share my thoughts in another post.
Facial scrubs I like:-
I don’t think I’ve use others that work as well as these 2 have so I’ve stuck with them.
I think the masks and scrubs I use are beneficial for me – the scrubs help to exfoliate dead cells that can make your facial skin look dull and the masks help add moisture or in the case of clay masks, help reduce oil and clears out pores.
Over to you. Do you think facial masks and scrubs are necessary? What are your favourite masks and scrubs?
Paris B
Update: I decided not to reply to each and every comment because there are so many good tips here! Do read through the comments – everyone has a great tip to share and their reasons why masks and scrubs are necessary for proper skincare. Thank you ladies!
Jenn says
April 23, 2010 at 9:13 amThey’re not really necessary, but they really make a difference! 😀 I find that with regular scrubbing, my face looks brighter and maybe i’m weird but i feel that after exfoliating, my skin care items just absorb into the skin faster! 😀
I personally love aspirin scrubs / masks… there’s nothing that comes close to this one in terms of unclogging and refining pores for me!! 😀 I’m also loving the Cellnique clay mask (the pineapple scent one… can’t remember the name!!)! 😀
Sugar says
April 23, 2010 at 9:22 amsurprisingly enough (tho i hate the rest of their products and after reading your banana shampoo post, hate them even more) the only scrub that works for me and doesnt break me out is the Bodyshop’s Vitamin C microdermabrasion scrub.
on this note, dont EVER use the ZA metavoltage range, it’ll make u break out worse than popping a pimple and rubbing it all over your face. eww, but true.
as for masks, i LOVE the Avene thing, where you buy the plain sheet mask from Avene, spritz it liberally with Avene spring water, and leave it on for 20 min, regularly re-spraying it everytime it gets a bit dry.
after u take it off, your skin will glow with freshness and prettyness, i love it!
i do want to try the lancome masks u were talknig abt tho. the rm250 a box of 6 one!
Hanny says
April 23, 2010 at 9:38 amI scrub 3 times a week, and mask once, hehehhe. Like you, I’ve been using the St Ives one, its heavenly! The best thing is that it removes a rather decent amount of whiteheads for me, which is an absolute plus point. ^.^
Jyoan says
April 23, 2010 at 9:45 amYes! I mean, yes, I agree with Jenn. A lot of people live without it, but we people who do it just find that there is a lot of difference. Like they say, it really takes off dead skin and show the younger skin so everything just looks better.
Connie says
April 23, 2010 at 10:07 amIf you ask me of course necessary la. What is NOT necessary? :p
But if I’m being indifferent, I’d say that normal skin can wash their face with water only and still look great but due to environmental stresses, hardly anyone has normal skin anymore. Ultimately, there’ll be at least one problem that needs fixing and that’s where masks and scrubs come in.
Also, it’ll have to depend if the person actually care enough about their appearance of their skin to use a mask or scrub or not. I know of people who don’t. If they’re not bothered by rough skin and a nose full of blackheads, then a mask and a scrub are not necessary
pim says
April 23, 2010 at 10:25 amIt is necessary for my oily skin. If I do not do my routine scrub, I will start to break out. I scrub chemically using BHA 2% and AHA 8% from Paula’s choice. They are my HG. I normally have breakout around my chin but ever since I started using BHA 2% from Paula’s choice, I barely have break out again.
amanda says
April 23, 2010 at 10:55 amHi pim!
Please tell me where i can find the Paula’s Choice scrub you are using! Thank youuuuu!
<3
Anna says
April 23, 2010 at 11:01 amyes they do make a difference because if you want to look better, you need to take care of your skin!
stellarvixen says
April 23, 2010 at 11:06 amMASKs are essential to conditioned the skin and provide the BEST OF THE BEST TREATMENT! i was soo wrong to ignore them during my juvenile age *sniff *sniff then again becuz of the money lol
HG Scrubs from LUSH:Angels on Bareskin been on it for 6 months!
HG Deep cleanse mask from LUSH:Cupcake & Brazened Honey, L’Occitane Red Rice clay mask
HG Treatment moisturizing masks from FANCL: Yogurt mask & Revitalizing VitE these babeh cost me a fortune *sniff sniff
when i run out of LUSH …perhaps will try khiel’s or back to L’Occitane!
Lee says
April 23, 2010 at 11:25 amJust to share…I think Paula’s choice BHA2% works really well, can’t live without it! It makes my skin smooth and acne free! I also use Kiehl’s deep pore cleansing mask once a week. My skin has improved a lot with the combination of the exfoliator and mask.
stephy says
April 23, 2010 at 12:22 pmi think they are necessary for problem skin like mine! i scrub and deep cleansing once a week.
HG Scrub: CURE from japan, no beads and is gentle enough for my sentitive skin
HG deep cleansing wash off: Ahava dead sea purifying mud mask
HG sheet mask: my new found baby–skinvitals T-purify! im so impressed.. just 1 pc and it zapped my zits! shills bamboo charcoal black mask, silk whitia highly concentrated collagen hydrating mask
Chin says
April 23, 2010 at 2:20 pmQuite frankly, I have never thought that masks are particularly effective – their results seem only temporary, like lasting only a few hours after you use it and then what?
As for scrubs, I think one has to be quite careful as they can over stimulate the skin and oil glads to produce more oil and aggravate acne. For sensitive skin, they can make dry skin red and itchy and thin out the upper layer of the skin, making the skin more sensitive to sunlight etc.
I prefer a chemical exfoliant with as opposed to a physical one.
Sue says
April 23, 2010 at 3:56 pmWell, I do maintain a regular scrub session for my skin because it helps to remove dead skins! According to my facial lady, she shared that a regular exfoliation is good as you will help to remove those accumulated dead skin cell which stays on your skin. My skin always looks brighter and refresher after an exfoliating session . Like Jenn, I find my skin absorbs skin care better/faster too =D
However, if you tend to break out, it’s better to avoid exfoliating as your skin may tend to flame up. That’s definitely something you don’t want to see happening @.@
Kahani says
April 23, 2010 at 3:58 pmA fervent “YES” from me. My skin goes to hell in a handbasket if the clay mask + scrub routine is neglected for anything more than 3 days. Breakouts, blackheads, white heads… you name it, it happens. Awful, huh?
YSK says
April 23, 2010 at 8:11 pmoh,i love mask especially the wash-off type.
I’ve tried:1)Clarins Hydraquench mask
2)Clarins pink clay mask
3)H2o sea mud mask
4)H2o hydrating mask
5)sensoieur bulle masque
6)biotherm aquasource non stop mask
I would like to recommend sensoieur bulle masque to all of you.Just apply a thin layer on the skin,after a few second you can see lots of bubbles on your skin surface.(more bubbles=skin in good condition)It’ll transport oxygen into your skin.Wash your face after 5 minutes.I’m so satisfied as it brighten and hydrate my skin,less breakout…..
As for the clarins hydraquench mask,it really helps to hydrate my skin..
I often do this type of mask,approximately 3-4 times a week,i think mask is important to me,my skin will be rough and flaky if i get lazy..
The scrub I am using now is laneige strawberry peeling gel.Scrub to me is not so important.I use it once a fortnight.Scrub and wash-off mask have a similarity–deep cleanse our skin.
Liesl says
April 23, 2010 at 8:36 pmI love, love, love my sophyto masks for soothing inflammed skin during menstrual period, 100% pure pineapple enzyme mask for a brightening effect and the organic pharmacy’s honey and jasmine mask for nourishing dry skin.
For scrubs, I love 100% pure’s pineapple juice facial scrub which smells absolutely yummy and it’s enriched with vitamins etc!
Serena says
April 23, 2010 at 9:11 pmI’m using Polynia chocolate mask (peel-off mask) , and it’s really good for my skin. The peel-off action of the mask gently remove impurities like dead skin cells and whiteheads from the surface of the skin. It’s also important to mention that the chocolate smells really yummy ! 😛
Besides that, Polynia honey rose mask is also not bad ! It’s a cream mask that you can actually wear to sleep.
Both masks were the winners of the CLEO beauty hall of fame ’09. ^_^
Mag says
April 23, 2010 at 11:02 pmI believe that both scrubs and masks are essential for skin, however, it always depends on your age and skin condition. Personally, during the ‘dark ages’ of my skin condition, I found that by keeping my skincare minimal helped to curb my skin problems. Thus, if you have very congested skin *due to excessive make-up, and wrong skincare products*, I do not believe that exfoliating and applying masks would help in bettering your skin, because these only aggravate your skin further.
However if you have normal skin and is in your 20s, always always remember to HYDRATE your skin. And what I mean by hydrating doesn’t mean spamming your skin with a thick layer of cream ! Hydrate means replacing your skin’s MOISTURE back to its optimal level. Some of the products I find good for hydration are:
1) The super-raved product ! Hada Labo’s Super Hyaluronic Acid Lotion
2) Eucerin’s Aquaporin ActiveMoisturiser
3) Vichy’s Hydrating and Fortifying Essence
Vonvon says
April 23, 2010 at 11:32 pmI wouldn’t say it’s necessary, but for me personally, it’s necessary for me!
I love the Kiehl’s Surface Brightening Exfoliator and also some facial polish from Boots.
As for masks, I use many different kinds of them for different purpose. Love Lancome Hydra Intense mask and Renergie Morpholift lifting mask – both work wonders for my skin! Of course the Kiehl’s Rare Earth which helps a lot in clearing up my break-out. And the wide variety of sheet masks!
lyn says
April 24, 2010 at 8:56 amI use a gentle exfoliator once a week and usually follow up with a hydrating mask. I can’t scrub too frequently as I have sensitive skin that is prone to redness. I also use hydrating sheet masks (out of convenience) once or twice a week. My skin condition has improved since I started a proper skin care regime. Even my sisters are amazed.
There was a time in my life when I had “let go” and was so not bothered with skin care. The condition of my skin really suffered then and is now slowly getting better. Scrubs and masks may not be a necessity but boy, do they help 🙂
Sapphire says
April 24, 2010 at 4:44 pmHey! I think masks definitely help! Had a TERRIBLE breakout due to stress at work and had awful skin for ages. Recently started using those Korean face mask sheets a few times a week and everyone’s been saying my skin looks better! (though still a long way to go…)
I particularly like It’s Skin masks! Normally get them from iheartkoreanbeauty.blogspot.com- quite cheap too only S$3.90 each! Want to try Hanskin masks as well as my cousin recommended them. Anyone else tried Hanskin before? Are they available in SG? They’re not currently available at iheartkoreanbeauty 🙁