Can we talk face masks? ( not the kind we used during covid!)

[BigButtons]

I am 55- nearly 56. Have combination skin- but often dry, some hormonal spots- thanks peri meno.
was thinking about trying a weekly face mask.
can you recommend something? Not sure whether going super expensive actually makes any difference as nothing can actually penetrate the dermis.
thanks!

I'm curous to hear what folks come back with. I like to use a face mask but just buy the cheap garnier ones!

@dudsville there was one recommended in the Guardian today priced over £100😱. I can’t believe it is worth that- no where near that infact. That’s what got me thinking. Does it really make a difference if you use a mask regularly- cheap or expensive?

Ooo I love a face mask!

So the garnier ones I actually really rate, they're a good price and work well, don't feel wasteful using them every week or even more often!

Do you have any favourite facial serums? You can get the dry paper masks and put your own serums on, they're quite useful I find for fully hydrating my skin with a serum I already know I like.

The 111 skin are really good, but very expensive. The rodial ones are also fantastic - the pink diamond ones especially. I like Dr Jart but they're not as good for the price imo, but fun to wear.

My favourite is a Sisley express flower mask closely followed by 111 skin rose quartz mask.

I did try using my favourite serums on paper masks. I got those masks that look like pills that you rehydrate. I found them a faff. The eye/ nose/Mouth holes were all in the wrong place for my features. They are obviously designed for rounder, petite SE Asian faces and they kept falling off!
I am looking for one in a jar really- I think.
I tried one from Aldi once- I haven’t got sensitive skin, but this one felt like it was burning my skin!

@BigButtons I find the same, but just cut the masks! They're only paper, so I cut by the eyes out to the side and across the middle section by the nose to get them to fr perfectly to my face 😊

In a pot - tatcha face masks are really good. La Mer do one (I stole a pot from my mum!) it was incredible but too £££ for me to justify.

I use La Roche Posay Effaclar mask. It's a nice simple clay mask which works well on my oily skin and huge pores.

@bibbityboppityboo thank you. I will look up the Tatcha.
@WhereAreWeNow do clay masks dry your skin out? I wasn’t sure on that one. Thanks

I love a face mask, Garnier ones are decent and you can get them in boots for about £2.50 each. They leave your skin so hydrated and it's great for a Sunday treat before a long week at work!

This one from Versed is a non-drying clay mask that leaves my skin looking calm and smooth. The resealable bag it comes in is really handy.
Versed Photos please

I like the Garnier and the South Korean ones too.

Honestly I think they are just nice for feel good factor. What makes a difference to your skin is finding what ingredients it likes and then being consistent with it. It's a marathon.

SK brands: The Face Shop (super famous in SK and dead cheap), Laneige and the Beauty of Joseon.
SK is big on face masks so get a bunch of them online, see what you like and come back to report 😉

I think the Japanese have masks in a box, like a box for wet wipes kind of thing. They're very popular too but I haven't tried them so can't advise.
They also have "feet masks" should you want to try something hmm "different"!

Aldi did/do a pink clay one which really suits my peri, slightly coarse skin. I have a lovely Sunday night bath like when I was a kid and slap this and a hair treatment on. My skin looks notably better the next day.

It's a dupe of a skin and sky mask and google tells me revolution do a similar one so may be worth trying as well?

Kiehls face masks are lovely.

www.boots.com/kiehls/kiehls-face-masks

I like the rare earth clay one and the calendula and aloe ones.

A also love Dr Organic Rose Otto Face Mask.

I'm a mud mask fan. Cheap as chips boots charcoal and witchhazel one- sounds really harsh but it works for me for a good deep cleanse, and exfoliating approach. Very brightening. I do it before bed and go to bed fresh faced with no evenings moisture . Do it once a month. On other weeks I slather myself in blue nivea and sleep in what my husband lovingky describes as my death mask.

Clay masks (with real clay and you mix with water to get a mask) are amazing for combination skin. You don't need to put it all over the face just the cheeks, the chin and where you usually get spots.
Coconut oil is good too but it has to be the good stuff. It has antibacterial properties.
Also try changing to a different sunscreen.

Clay doesn't dry my skin OP. It feels tight as it dries but lovely and soft when I wash it off.

I use manuka honey, skin feels soft and clean when it's washed off.

I love dermalogica multivitamin power recovery mask- but it is a bit spendy

There was a lush French mask in a big green tube. It was made of clay but I can't remember the name. There was white and green clay versions I think.

Wow! Can't believe how expensive some of the masks are in that Guardian article.

If you're after a basic clay mask, I'd recommend this:

https://www.cocooncenter.co.uk/argiletz-ghassoul-clay-paste-150g/20144.html

I haven't tried this one yet, but would like to give it a go:

https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/qa-vitamin-a-c-e-warming-gel-mask-60050275

Thank you so much everyone! I was beginning to wonder if hardly any of us actually used face masks since not so many had posted.
it is raining and windy here, a lovely summer I day again. I am waiting to exchange on a house, so am all packed up with nothing to do. Now I can spend some of the day investigating all your suggestions- brilliant.
Interesting that clay doesn’t dry the skin. I had never thought of just a clay mask on actual spots- with deffo do that too.
I actually discovered flowers of sulphur to help with my spots. I make my own cream and it is a near miracle at drying them up pretty well over night. Cheap as chips too.
@stardust777 i used look forward to the Guardian beauty recs every week, but find myself increasingly annoyed at the stuff they mention because it is, without fail, stupidly expensive.

I buy a charcoal mask in a tube which only costs 99p from BodyCare. I use it once a week and you just leave it on for 10-15mins. I love it and it makes my skin feel really clean. I can also cut the tube in half and get out all of the mask so nothing wasted (just put the halves together to stop it drying out).

I have oily/combination skin with large pores and find it helps. Also I commute so skin can feel 'dirty' so this helps brighten it up.