Masks masks masks

This is easily my favourite category of skincare: masks. There’s something extra special about the effect of a mask – whether it’s the glow it gives post-exfoliation, or the dewy cheeks of a freshly hydrated face, they’re undoubtedly my favourite. Not just for my face either! I love a good butt or body mask; such a great way to treat areas that sometimes get neglected. So, I thought I’d do a proper post and break down some of my favourite masks into categories and share the ones I’ll forever repurchase. I’ve recently increased how often I’ve been masking and it’s made quite the difference in my skin. Obviously, it’s quite a list, so I thought I’d break down how often I use each one as well – I’m not using every category every week.

Hydrating

Summer Fridays Jetlag (chestnut extract, vitamin c, niacinamide, ceramides)

- Rehydrate and plump tired or dried out skin with a powerhouse mix of ingredients. It’s gaining cult status for a reason; my favourite way to use is as an overnight mask or under my eyes before applying make-up.

Frank Body Glow Mask (coffee seed oil, shea and cocoa butters, goji berry)

- This is 8 hours of sleep in a 5 minute mask as well as being my saviour when my facial eczema is having a ~moment~. I’ve gone through three tubes of this already and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

Lanolips Aussie Flyer (lanolin, caffeine, mint oil, ginger)

- Many say this is a dupe for Jetlag, at a much friendlier price tag. However, whilst I find this as effective, I prefer to use it in the morning because of the caffeine and mint, rather than as an overnight mask. It’s also great in flight, I like to put it on to seal in other skincare that I apply.

Youth To The People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask (superberry blend of maqui, acai, prickly pear, goji berry + squalene)

- Go. Buy. This! It’s fabulous and truly works to hydrate and brighten. Can be either a wash off mask or used overnight.

Exfoliating – physical

Summer Fridays Overtime (pumpkin, apricot seed powder, oat kernel protein)

- Despite the apricot seed and oat kernel, I promise this is no trumped-up St. Ives scrub that will actually causes more problems than it fixes. This IS AMAZING. My favourite so far of the Summer Fridays offerings, it’s a combo of physical and enzymatic exfoliation to buff away dead skin and really brighten. Follow up with a hydrating mask for absolutely glowing skin.

Kora Organics Turmeric 2 in 1 (turmeric, papaya enzymes, peppermint, rosehip seeds)

- Another hard worker using physical and enzymatic exfoliation to brighten and calm skin. I like to use this during a busy week when stress is really taking it’s toll.

Sand and sky flash perfection exfoliator (Australian pink clay, bamboo and macadamia, Australian finger line, rosehip, grapeseed and olive oils)

- Goodbye pores! Used through the T-zone this is amazing for reducing blackheads on my nose and chin and the difference really is noticeable after only 10 minutes.

Frank body peppermint or coconut scrubs (use body scrub gently on my face – helps with eczema)

- I like to use this when I just feel like I need a scrub. Sometimes I really like to get in there with a proper scrub and clear everything out. The coconut scrub is also a miracle worker when my eczema is on the verge or in full on angry mode.

Exfoliating – chemical

Ole Henrikson Phat Glow (potent PHAs, Nordic birch sap, niacinamide)

- PHAs are only just gaining more popularity and for good reason! They’re less harsh than AHAs or BHAs and less risky, which is a serious consideration when you have sensitive skin. This is amazing when used the night before a big event since PHAs work a little slower for glowy, smooth skin results.

Fresh vitamin nectar vibrancy-boosting face mask (50% crushed citrus fruits – oranges, lemons and clementines)

- This is one I like to use for a little morning pick me up, as it's gentle enough to up under my eyes and wake up my skin. Plus it smells like actual marmalade.

Kate Somerville Exfolikate intensive treatment (papaya, pumpkin and pineapple enzymes, lactic acid, aloe vera and honey)

- Wowsers, this really packs a punch and sloughs away dead skin. I noticed such a difference after only 2 minutes and really don't want my current tube to run out....

Sheet

Goto transformazing (niacinamide, kakadu plum extract, finger lime extract, Tasmanian pepper leaf extract)

- My perfect sheet mask: amazing in the morning to pep up my skin, basically a 10 minute facial. I also like to use it in the evening and save the leftover serum (there is always leftover serum!) to pat on the next morning. Somehow calms and brightens and hydrates and if they bottled that serum I would buy it by the carton. Really does look like you've had 8 hours sleep even if you've had 4.

Patchology just let it glow (pear extract, seaberry extract, niacinamide)

- Another fantastic option for a quick pick me up! Works quickly to help brighten skin

Me in a minute (coconut bio-cellulose, hyaluronic acid, hydrolyzed collagen, adenosine, niacinamide)

- Probably the most hydrating mask I've tried; so calming and hydrating, helps my eczema massively and just feels so great. Also a great small business to support!

Pimples/clarifying/pore clearing

Anese co stress mask (eucalyptus oil, clay, sulfur, witch hazel, glycerin)

- This really goes to town on pimples, drawing out impurities and helping my skin to chill out. The eucalyptus oil is also very calming and I like to also use this through my T-zone when my skin is just angry and stressed.

Sand and sky pink clay (Australian pink clay, kelp and witch hazel, mangosteen)

- There is a reason this mask is so famous on the internet: it works and you get such instant results! I have super dry skin so I only use this through my T-zone or as a spot treatment. It really gets in there and gets the gunk out; small tip is that I don't always let it dry all the way down, otherwise my skin can get too tight.

Mario Badescu RoseHIPS (lemongrass extract, rose hip oil, rose hips extract)

- When my skin is being extra sensitive and can't handle much, this mask really helps calm down breakouts. Pimples that come up while I'm treating eczema can be extra volatile and this really helps to calm it down without further irritating my skin!

Edible beauty purifying sleeping mousse (Australian pink clay, volcanic minerals, botanical oils and extracts)

- I've loved using this to help reduce oil and congestion, as I can really see a difference in the blackheads I get and my skin feels so plump and soothed the next morning.

Multitaskers and overnighters

Glow recipe watermelon mask (watermelons, AHAs, hyaluronic acid)

- Was a little doubtful of this before I tried but wowwwww. Can be used as a 10 minute glow up or an overnight treat for your skin! Light exfoliation and a punch of hydration = happy happy Morgan

Glow recipe avocado melt mask (Avocado, manuka honey, PHA, kaolin clay)

- This is a dry skin saviour and really helps when my eczema is having a ~moment~. My favourite way to use this is overnight to help lock in my other products and provide another layer of nourishment.

Omorovicza midnight radiance (salicylic acid, sand lily, red algae, copper gluconate)

- I've been using this on problem areas for pimples whenever I feel it getting congested or on sore spots. It's fabulous for stopping pimples in their tracks without drying out the skin around it!

Body

Anese Down with The Thickness booty mask (kaolin clay, pro-vitamin B5 and B3 and collagen)

- Yes, you do need a booty mask! This is such a fun, post-scrub treat, because booty care is 100% a thing. This won't give you a big booty, but it does help to plump up your skin and treat butt acne! Plus it smells amazing.

Kind-ly armpit detox mask (activated charcoal, bentonite clay and colloidal silver)

- If you've ever tried natural deodorant or ones that don't have aluminium, then you know that there can be a transition period where you stink, like really really stink. This is where this mask comes in! Designed to make this transition easier, detoxifying your underarms by drawing out impurities and the colloidal silver helps to eliminate the odour caused by bacteria. Really works to speed up the process and make it so much easier to deal with.

Laneige lip sleeping mask mint choco (hyaluronic acid, berry extracts, natural waxes)

- Perfect to help keep chapped winter lips at bay or help when I'm sick (my skin goes extra dry when I'm sick) and is also great to put on the dry skin around your nose! Comes in a couple of fantastic flavours so that you can pick whichever you like most, plus it has some great exfoliating actives so that your lips aren't just hydrated, but also smooth.

What are some of your favourite masks? I know this is quite a list but like I said, masks are my favourite kind of skincare! I keep my everyday routine fairly similar and since I have sensitive skin, I prefer to be able to switch a mask in to target issues. That way, if my skin is not having it, I can easily wash it off. Let me know your thoughts below :)

Morgan xx