Are you having a bad skin day and need a quick fix? Well, don't forget about the benefits of using a masque. We often forget about giving our skin or ourselves a blast of TLC. Masques are available whatever your skin type from dry to oily in a variety of treatments. So, if you're contemplating trying a masque, there's probably one just perfect for you.

WHAT TO WEAR?

Skin Rejuvenation

A hydrating masque can help dry skin by not only replenishing moisture but by also offering rejuvenating properties. The skin is softened and plumped up so that lines are less visible. There are several excellent options for you to consider. Some of the choice is based on what types of results you wish to achieve. Other factors include what skin type you have. Here are some of our favorites.

In order to make use of the powder, you need to mix a portion of the powder with either the Cellex-C High Potency Serum or Cellex-C BetaPlex Fresh Complexion Mist to a thin, brushable consistency. You apply this to face and remove it in 20 minutes with Cellex-C BetaPlex Fresh Complexion Mist. It is extremely important that this masque is not allowed to dry. You can do this by wearing the masque in a steamy environment such as your bathroom right after a shower. Allowing the masque to dry and then trying to remove it can actually tear the skin. This is a great product but not one to forget about while talking on the telephone!

MD Formulations Moisture Defense Antioxidant Treatment Masque is great for all skin types because it hydrates while providing antioxidants. Through the use of glycolic (AHA) and salicylic (BHA) acids, the MD Formulations Vit-A-Plus Clearing Complex Masque helps reduce the appearance of blemishes, gently exfoliates, and improves the skin's texture. Cleanse the skin properly and pat semi-dry before applying the masque. The masque is typically left on for approximately 15 minutes. Then you gently wash it off. Remember, masques are not used nightly, nor should you sleep with them on your skin. You may apply your other routine skin care products after removing your masque.

Get the benefits of an at-home peel, with the pampering luxury of a 15-minute mini-facial with the MD Formulations Vit-A-Plus Firming Treatment Masque. MD Formulations Vit-A-Plus Firming Treatment Masque includes 10% glycolic acid, 1% salicylic acid and 2% vitamin A to visibly improve skin texture and resiliency. Natural papaya extract works to gently exfoliate while plant extracts soothe and renew your skin. This masque can be used 1-2 times weekly.

Provide the skin with essential copper while supplying valuable moisture to revive and re-hydrate the skin. Neova Therapy Copper Moisture Mask is an intensive GHK Copper Peptide Complex masque and is suitable for all skin types. Apply generously to cleansed skin, leave on 10-20 minutes and rinse well with warm water or remove with a warm wash cloth.

Neova Gentle Purifying Mask is a wonderful treatment for skin showing signs of irritation or signs of stress particularly if you have sensitive skin. Neova Gentle Purifying Mask uses botanicals to soothe, while vitamins C and E protect the skin. It's simple to use and washes off easily leaving your skin fresh and glowing.

Dry Skin

Anyone with dry skin knows they periodically need a little burst of extra moisture, as well as some exfoliation of flaking, dead skin. If your skin feels tight all of the time without the benefit of a regular moisturizing cream, you will want to choose a masque formulation meant specifically for normal to dry skin. This type of treatment masque will gently cleanse the skin of impurities and dead skin without stripping away the natural oils needed to maintain a protective barrier.

Korres Thyme Honey Moisturizing Mask contains Honey Extract, which is a natural hydro-regulating complex, and works to maintain skin hydration at the ideal level of 12-15%. MD Skincare Intense Hydra Mask uses a cocktail of antioxidants along with collagen building ingredients to hydrate & plump the skin. B. Kamins Diatomamus Earth Masque for Dry to Normal Skin is a soothing and cooling masque with anti-oxidant properties, herbal extracts and nourishing vitamins, which is also useful for soothing post-microdermabrasion skin and rosacea conditions. MD Formulations Moisture Defense Antioxidant Treatment Masque restores vital moisture with potent antioxidants and botanical extracts to rebuild the skin's protective barrier against environmental damage. This is a "super-hydration" treatment for soothing and moisturizing skin.

Oily Skin

If you are on the oily side, you will want a masque to remove excess moisture. Oily and acne prone skin needs oil absorption and exfoliation to help get rid of dead skin that clogs pores. For those that are acne prone, the masque should contain an active agent that helps reduce acne formation.

For oil absorption, Kinerase Clear Skin Regulating Mask is a dry-out deep cleansing mask rich in green and white Argil, natural clays with significant sebum-absorbing properties. Zinc regulates the sebum secretion and provides antibacterial protection, helping balance oily skin functions. Another option is Neova Illuminating Mask, a relaxing, cooling mask that goes on invisibly to cleanse pores with Silica. Silica not only absorbs oil, it acts as a microprism on the skin to help reflect a beautiful complexion. Revive dull, lifeless skin with this deep cleansing, pore-refining mask.

Sometimes excessive oils aren't the only thing you may be concerned about and that's when you want to address it with a masque meant for helping with acne and oiliness.

Acne Prone Skin

Therapy can be combined with some pampering when you're acne prone. DERMAdoctor Ain't Misbehavin' Intensive Skin-Correcting Sulfur Acne Mask with Phytosphingosine is a therapeutic, medicated masque that contains sulfur a known ingredient important for reducing bacteria and exfoliating blackheads along with kaolin clay to help dry out excessive surface skin oils. I would recommend you use this product no more than 3 times a week. It's a common mistake for acne prone individuals to over strip essential skin oils in an attempt to control their acne.

Cellex-C BetaPlex Clear Complexion Mask is one of those fun products that offer some therapy at the same time. A bright green color imparts the fun while the glycolic acid and other AHAs help attack the acne where it happens by exfoliating the unwanted debris and oils away. Tea tree oil is added because it has tendencies to decrease bacterial growth. Oil is also reduced through the use of kaolin clay.

Let natural minerals do the work! B. Kamins Diatomamus Earth Masque for Oily or Combination Skin is formulated with diatomamus earth rich in natural minerals including magnesium, iron, calcium, and sodium, and Bio-Maple compound technology, which helps protect and condition skin. B. Kamins Diatomamus Earth Masque for Oily or Combination Skin is a soothing and cooling masque that is excellent for keeping oily skin and those blemishes at bay.

Combination Skin

Those prone to combination skin (usually an oily T-zone and dry cheek area) have the hardest time selecting treatments because they need to address two skin types. It makes no sense to put an oil-absorbing mask all over your face if your cheeks are dry, or something moisturizing on your T-zone. Find a treatment appropriate for your differing skin areas and use them appropriately. While more time consuming, this approach will best alternative to provide the perfect requirements to such drastically different areas. If your cheeks are normal, but you really want to fight excess oil in the T zone, then go for the right oil reducing masque and use it where needed. Don't subject the normal skin to a drying agent. And of course, the opposite is true. Dry cheeks but normal T zone? Then fix the cheeks, and leave your T zone alone. Nobody said a masque HAD to be used all over the face!

Clarify and control breakouts without overdrying skin.

MD Formulations Vit-A-Plus Clearing Complex Masque improves skin texture and clarity with an oil-free formula that exfoliates utilizing dual action alpha and beta hydroxy acids.

Masque Away...Just For You

Bring the spa to your home. The Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Masque contains cucumber, papaya, chamomile, pineapple, sugar maple, sugar cane, orange, lemon and bilberry extracts and is suitable for all skin types. Consider placing jar in the fridge to REALLY cool off! Peter Thomas Roth Radiance Oxygenating Masque oxygenates and helps plump surface skin cells that may be compromised by the sun, smoking, stress, the aging process and environmental factors to impart a visibly refined appearance, a polished rosy glow, and a marked increase in skin elasticity. Try a mask picked from the vineyards of California. B. Kamins Diatomamus Earth Masque for Oily or Combination Skin comes is antioxidant packed with grapeseed extract, vitamins A, E and Arnica extract that create a nourishing mask.

So find some time for yourself and pamper your skin. If you don't have spare time, go ahead and wear your masque as you vacuum, fix dinner, or read through what's new on DERMAdoctor.com.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. We hope you have found it informative.

Audrey Kunin, M.D.

Michelle Occhipinto
DERMAdoctor Staff Writer

(Any topic discussed in this article is not intended as medical advice. If you have a medical concern, please check with your doctor.)

www.dermadoctor.com
Copyright 2000-2010, DERMAdoctor, Inc., All rights reserved.

Click here for permission to use this copyrighted content.