Face masks. Do they actually do anything?

[treaclesoda]

And if you feel that they do, would you recommend any particular one? I'm late 30s and my skin is a bit grotty and bumpy in places, although fortunately not too spotty. Oily T zone but dry cheeks. And just a bit tired looking.

Anyone?

I got a lovely collection of spots last week from one

I think some of the moisturising ones do, though I could just moisturise. And I'm pretty sure I've seen some that are meant to peel off the top layer of yucky skin and leave you all fresh and glowing, but haven't tried this. mostly I think they smell nice and get in my hair though. Perhaps someone more helpful will be along.

I know it's a bit 1980s but I do a clay mask weekly. I have combination skin and I think it clears out my pores nicely and soaks up excess grease and dirt. I always exfoliate with a gentle scrub first, and follow with Nuxe oil then blue pot Nivea so it's like a home facial. I am left red but by morning I am soft and glowy You can get Mudd ones, or Superdrug do own brand masks of varying types including clay / mud ones which I use, cheap as chips at about £1.50 for a tube that lasts about 12 masks.

TheBitch - they all eat clay now don't they to purify themselves or some such?

I don't do a face mask - I prefer acid and botox

eating clay?!

Apparently you can eat clay but it doesn't sound like a good plan. it's good for skin though, honest!

The Ren Glycolic Radiance mask is great for peeling all the dead skin off and leaving you all glowy. Costs £30 though.

So I've just bought the Superdrug knock off version, Glycolic Overnight Peel.

Kate did it apparently in turkey before she had enough and bought gin for the easyjet passengers [have read too much grazia]

Squoosh - unrelated but you have been very very funny on the gbbo thread.

It probably deposits a thin layer of...something, which makes your skin texture/colour seem more uniform and smooth for a few hours. Maybe a bit like 'neutral henna'. Doubt it does anything in the long term. But I have the same doubts about conditioner and my mum swears that she changed her hair texture by using it regularly....

I thought it was more common now to think that moisturising skin did nothing, and that only water and sun cream help. I don't know what to believe!

I love face masks. I use one about once a week and usually alternate between two...

GlamGlow Youthmud which leaves my skin gorgeous - it balances oil on my skin and pores look smaller after use, everything looks tighter and more lifted too.

Clinique Turnaround mask. Like a facelift in a tube! My skin is so good after this lovely and tight and luminous!

I am a combination skin type so oily t-zone and very dry cheeks.

I like the lush fresh face masks the Ayesha seems to work really well xx

Yes I have previously spent a lot on creams but now I concentrate on cleansing properly twice daily and always wearing an SPF. I know creams don't stop ageing but you can use products to improve general skin condition, eg rich creams if your skin is dry or clay if you're greasy. And lots of products in Boots and Superdrug contain active exfoliants like salycilic acid etc.

They always make me break out esp the clay ones. its very annoying. The one i love is the tesco one. Its fantastic on my skin. Along came betty pure pore. Its really good and leaves you glowing. It costs about £5. I try to use it once a week.

..oh i have combination oily - normal skin.

Its down to even cheaper :) I will need to stock up:

www.tesco.com/direct/along-came-betty-detox-mask-pure-pores-50ml/720-4552.prd

I use Dermalogica skin refining which is lovely. (and Botox )

Thanks everyone. I'll try a mask, see if it perks this sorry looking skin up a bit.

Aw, thanks MrsC!

no.

I have combination skin prone to breakouts and I second mudd masks. My skin definitely feels better if I remember to use one regularly

What masks are good for dry skin? I love the bodyshop vitamin e mask and like the no 7 ones for dry skin too , but always interested to hear about others that are good for dry and sensitive skin. I am late thirties and look a bit tired after being up in the night a lot with tiny DCs

Origins drink up mask is fab for dry skin

Try the sudocrem face mask.
Put a very thin layer on overnight
I use it when my skin is getting a little bumpy.
Works wonders and is very cheap.

If you use sudocrem as a mask, how much do you put on, how long do you leave it, and how do you remove it? I seem to remember from nappy rash days (dc, not mine!) that when I tried to wash it off it just smeared all over my hands.

just realised you actually said how much and for how long!

So if you leave it overnight is there anything left to remove in the morning?