Incorporating an at-home treatment or mask into your skincare routine provides unique advantages that serums and moisturisers alone may lack. Masks, peels and ampules can effectively cleanse and purify pores, exfoliate dead skin cells to promote a smoother complexion, and address specific concerns such as dehydration, acne, or dryness. According to Katy Bacon, Global Educator Murad Skincare Aus, “Masks offer a concentrated dose of active ingredients, making them an excellent addition to your skincare regimen for targeting specific skin concerns and enhancing overall skin health.”
Why Use a Face Mask, Peel or Treatment Pads?
Face masks deliver concentrated ingredients directly to the skin, offering benefits that standard serums and moisturisers might not provide. Here are some reasons to incorporate masks into your routine:
Deep Cleansing: Masks can draw out impurities and toxins from the skin, providing a deeper cleanse than daily cleansers.
Exfoliation: Peels, pads and some masks exfoliate dead skin cells, promoting a smoother, more radiant complexion.
Targeted Treatment: Concentrated treatment products can address specific skin concerns such as acne, dryness, pigmentation.
Enhanced Formulations: Many at home treatments are formulated to deliver higher concentration of active ingredients. Pulsed in between a daily routine, they often support the benefits and longevity of clinical therapies and services.
On the use of regular at home masks, Bacon, who is a Dermal Therapist, Cosmetic Chemist and has studied Clinical Nutrition noted, “Masks offer a concentrated dose of active ingredients, making them an excellent addition to your skincare regimen for targeting specific skin concerns and enhancing overall skin health.”
Masks like Murad’s Cellular Hydration Repair Mask can also support the skin barrier repair process by delivering intense hydration and essential fatty acids from refined bilberry seed oil, potent moisture from hibiscus extract, and antioxidant benefits from Canadian willowherb. This mask helps rescue skin from dryness, redness, and roughness. “Incorporating a mask into your routine consistently enhances your skin health, hydration, and appearance,” says Bacon.
How to Use At Home Treatments in Your Skincare Routine
For optimal results, use a mask 1-3 times per week, and a peel or ampule once a week, depending on your skin type and tolerance for the active ingredients. Like a facial, you would typically apply a mask or peeling treatment after cleansing and balancing, but before topical serums, oils and moisturisers. This order ensures that the active ingredients penetrate the skin effectively. “Masks should be applied after cleansing and toning, but before serums and moisturisers, to maximise their efficacy,” advises Katy Bacon. A more recent treatment category in skincare is ‘Sleeping Mask’ which is essentially an advanced night cream that can be left on the skin overnight for deep hydration and rejuvenation during the sleep cycle.
Understanding the skin barrier is essential for protecting the skin from external stressors. The lipid layer repels water, maintaining hydration, while corneocytes (upper layers of dead skin cells) form a physical barrier protecting skin from environmental irritants. Signs of barrier compromise include redness, itching, and dryness, often exacerbated by behaviours like over-exfoliation and neglecting sunscreen.
Seven At-Home Facial Treatment Products to Try
For those seeking the epitome of needle-free results and luxury, the La Prairie Platinum Rare Haute Rejuvenation Mask is unmatched. This luxurious mask harnesses the power of Platinum Multi-Peptide, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants to rejuvenate and revitalise the skin, providing intense hydration and reducing signs of ageing from the first application. The ritual is a not so subtle nod to clinical injectable treatments, yet unlike more invasive procedures, this product is a pleasure to experience.
Harnessing La Prairie’s revolutionary Macro-Infusion Technology, it effectively delivers large biomolecules into the skin without the need for breaking the skin surface. The mask’s two-step night care process includes an Ultra-Potent concentrate serum to rejuvenate and plump the skin, followed by an Ultra-Sensorial Cream to seal in hydration and support long-term rejuvenation. At $2,515, it’s an investment, and yes the results are extraordinary.
Behold a baby soft, more event and bright complexion with ZO Skin Health Complexion Renewal Pads. Each pad is pre-soaked in salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and botanical extracts to exfoliate dead skin cells, improve texture and tone, plus reduce the appearance of large pores. A simple and effective way to maintain smooth, glass skin.
$76 Learn more
Smooth Operator- The Murad Cellular Hydration Repair Mask is a game-changer for anyone battling dry, rough skin. This mask is infused with refined bilberry seed oil, which is rich in Omega 3 and 6, providing essential fatty acids that help repair the skin barrier. Hibiscus extract delivers potent moisture, while Canadian willowherb delivers on antioxidant benefits, rescuing skin from patchy dryness, redness, and roughness.
$85 Learn more
For a more intensive at home treatment, the IS Clinical Active Peel System is a two-step peel system that resurfaces and rejuvenates the skin. With glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and botanical extracts, this clinical inspired peel works to reduce signs of ageing and improve skin texture. A celebrity and professional favourite.
$165 Learn more
Seeking overnight salvation? Try Laneige Bouncy and Firm Sleeping Mask. This mask works while you sleep and reveals a juicy and dewy complexion upon waking. Harnessing the power of Hydro Ionized Mineral Water and Sleep-Tox™ technology to firm and hydrate the skin, and Moisture Wrap™ technology so skin stays hydrated throughout the night.
$55 Learn more
You had us at ‘ageless’. The Image AGELESS Total Overnight Retinol Masque is an exceptional choice. This revitalising night time treatment features encapsulated, time-released retinol technology designed to minimise visible signs of ageing and improve uneven texture and tone. Its optimised retinol delivery system ensures the potency of the ingredients while providing a gentle activation of rejuvenating benefits. Ultra-hydrating marine collagen microspheres swell and plump within the skin, reducing the appearance of facial lines overnight.
$154.95 Learn more
Glow getting Go-To The Repair Shop Nourishing Repair Mask is a nourishing treatment that revitalises every day or seasonal dry, damaged skin. Formulated with avocado oil, shea butter, and jojoba oil, this mask deeply nourishes and repairs the skin, enhancing its natural glow immediately.
$45 Learn more
Incorporating these excellent treatments into your skincare routine will help address specific skin concerns, extend the life of clinical treatments, and enhance overall skin health, hydration, and appearance.
