The Secret to a Luminous Complexion with ELEMIS Face Masks

Your face masks meet your beauty needs based on your skin's demands. If you want to incorporate a more customised feel into your skincare regimen, face masks have many benefits. The right product can hydrate, soothe or supercharge your complexion when you're time-poor.

The best face masks for skin will have a high concentration of active ingredients and glide on smoothly and comfortably. Face masks are beauty self-care at its most meditative. So take the time to relax and take a moment of much-needed calm as the actives get to work.

Best face mask for dry skin

Dry skin needs a formulation that locks in much-needed moisture. Thirsty skin will drink in the actives in a face mask for dry skin like our Superfood Vital Veggie Mask. This nourishing prebiotic mask banishes dryness and dullness in just ten minutes. Rich in natural Omega Fatty Acids 6 and 9, this smoothie-inspired face mask for dry skin nourishes and hydrates.

Best face mask for oily skin

Oily complexions need help to mattify and balance. A clay mask like our Superfood Purity Face Mask absorbs excess oils to leave your skin fresh, clean and purified. And because oily skins still need hydration, we've included a creamy Omega-rich SuperBerry Complex to help maintain balance. Use a face mask for oily skin twice weekly and enjoy the slight tingle as the ingredients go to work.

Best face mask for sensitive skin

Environmental factors and certain ingredients like fragrances can trigger sensitive skin. To keep your sensitive and blemish-prone skin looking its best, our Herbal Lavender Repair Mask soothes, purifies and rebalances. This deep cleansing face mask for sensitive skin should be used once a week to nourish and protect.

Mature skin can be affected by hormonal changes, lifestyle and other environmental factors. If you've noticed the appearance of sun damage, fine lines or wrinkles, a plumping and hydrating mask can be transformative.

The best face for mature skin in the UK is packed with actives like our ULTRA SMART Pro-Collagen Aqua Infusion Mask. Its formulation is clinically proven to target the signs of ageing, delivering triple-level 24-hour hydration to improve elasticity and firmness. All in a lightweight and cooling gel mask.

Do you prefer a richer cream formulation? Our Pro-Collagen Marine Mask is perfect for using twice weekly for intense hydration. Actives like Padina Pavonica and argan tree oil let this antioxidant-packed formula smooth, firm and nourish the skin for radiant results.

How long should you leave a face mask on for?

It’s tempting to believe that the longer you leave a mask, the better the results. And, yes, a specially formulated overnight face mask will leave you with bright, pillowy-soft skin the following day. But if you routinely leave your mask on for an extra ten minutes because you think it's doing you good, think again. If your face mask is packed with potent actives and ingredients, you should never leave it on longer than recommended. It won't leave your skin extra clean and hydrated. In fact, it could have the opposite effect.

A clay mask is the most time-effective mask you can use. But you should never leave it in for longer than twenty minutes — otherwise, the clay can begin to absorb moisture from the skin, critically affecting those all-important hydration levels.

Face masks with actives and enzymes generally have a maximum time limit of ten minutes. Any longer, and they can start to disrupt the pH balance or irritate your skin. If your product has clear instructions for use, respect them. So remember, when it comes to face masks, more is not necessarily better.

Instead, take the time for some self-care and indulge in some all-important pre- and post-skincare prep. After all, correct cleansing and hydration are just as vital to the effectiveness of your mask.

Do you already have a multi-step routine? Perhaps you're building a customised regimen that deals with dryness, oiliness or sensitivity. Whichever way, it’s vital to note that the order in which you use your products matters. Get it wrong, and you could end up irritating your skin and rendering products ineffective. Get it right, and adding a face mask for beauty to your routine will leave your skin looking luminous and feeling irresistibly hydrated.

So, where to start?

Day or night, you’ll need to start your routine with a thorough cleanse. Choose a product that removes every trace of makeup and thoroughly cleanses the pores, leaving a blank canvas for your skincare products.

The next step is to cycle between a good-quality and gentle exfoliant and your face mask. These products should never be used daily, but how many face masks per week you use depends on their active ingredients. Generally, our hydrating face masks can be used twice a week for best results.

Apply your chosen mask directly to clean skin, avoiding the delicate eye area. Leave for the recommended time before removing any excess with warm water or a damp cloth.

You’ll need to follow your face mask or exfoliant with a toner. As the name suggests, a toner smoothes and tightens the skin, refreshing without the need for harsh ingredients. If you're on a cleanser-only day, this should be your next step before applying serum.

Now your skin is prepped, you can apply an effective serum packed with hero ingredients to nourish and hydrate your skin. Your serum should speak to any skin concerns you have. For example, our Pro-Collagen Super Serum Elixir is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of any fine lines and wrinkles.

For a moisture boost, look for ingredients like red algae, which delivers three times the hydration of hyaluronic acid. You’ll find this hydrating hero in our Pro-Collagen Rose Microro Serum. Meanwhile, skin that needs brightening and refining will love the highly stable Vitamin C in our Dynamic Resurfacing Super-C Serum.

Now your skin is primed with serum, you're ready to lock in moisture with your moisturiser. This step shouldn't be skipped, so choose a moisturiser compatible with your skin type and apply it day and night.

Day creams are packed with ingredients to offer hydration and protection, like our iconic Pro-Collagen Marine Cream with its light, non-greasy formula. Night creams are skincare heroes that address your skin concerns while you sleep to firm, smooth and replenish. Look for a formulation packed with active ingredients to sink into your skin overnight.

Finally, you must finish your skincare day routine with an SPF. Powerful UV rays can damage your skin, even on the dullest days. So, finishing your routine with sun cream is non-negotiable. Apply a broad spectrum minimum factor 30 SPF. Then, after a few minutes, you're ready to apply your makeup and get on with your day.

But what about at night? We suggest substituting your sun lotion with a facial oil, like our superhero Superfood Facial Oil. The weight of a facial oil means it can penetrate through your moisturiser and serum to your skin. The result? You’ll wake up with nourished skin and a healthy glow.

Incorporating a nourishing face mask into your beauty routine is the perfect way to deal with daily stress. Can't get to the spa? A soothing face mask can offer a moment of self-care. And those skin-boosting benefits deliver the luminous complexion you crave.

At ELEMIS, we’ve created a range of face masks with supercharged ingredients to banish dull skin and boost your glow. Need help finding the right product for your skin type? Explore our carefully curated face mask collection today.