The good old days of slapping some whisked egg whites on the face have long gone. Masking has become so specialised and it provides some very significant benefits that are more than indulgence.
The funny thing is that even ancient civilisations worked it out. Some of the ingredients they applied were a little unorthodox though.
The Ayurveda masks of ancient India were used to promote pleasure, health and longevity. The Indians of that era had the good sense to adjust the ingredients to suit the season. They mixed various botanicals like herbs, plants roots and flowers according to the outcome they desired.
The Egyptians liked clay masks because clay helps draw out impurities. Egypt is hot so oily skin and blackheads would have been common. Cleopatra apparently, favoured clay from the Dead Sea. Reason being belief that mud was often mixed with crocodile dung to augment the benefits. Dead Sea mud is still revered for its skin enhancing benefits.
The Chinese Tang dynasty used more refined ingredients like pulverised pearls mixed with lotus root and ginger. The pearl powder brightened the complexion and was believed to diminish pigmentation and wrinkles.
Having seen how some ancient civilisation took interest in masking, how does it rate today? Thankfully modern masks have harnessed the best of technology and ingredients to create a variety of masks that vary in texture (from creams, gels and clays to bubble sheet masks) and results
The Key Benefits Of Masking
Deep cleansing: Purifying masks are formulated for combination to oily skins and have a clarifying effect. They help tighten pores and reduce oiliness. Who wouldn’t want less shine, fewer blackheads and pimples and a more refined skin texture? Make-up is infinitely more flattering on a smoother skin.
Revitalising: Hydrating masks are created to boost moisture levels in dry, dull skin. They deliver essential moisture to plump up the kin, diminish dry patches and restore skin radiance and vitality.
Soothing: Change of season with wider gaps between day and night temperatures and drier air from heaters can sometimes cause sensitive skins to react.
Exfoliating: Masks have an exfoliating effect using acids, like glycolic acid, to break down the cement that binds the dead cells together. This loosens them so that they can be washed away.