"Beautiful skin requires commitment, not a miracle." Unknown

Face Masks Really Do Make a Difference

Many women I assist with skin care see face masks as a luxury they simply do not have time to indulge in. If that sounds like you, I want to encourage you to take another look at the benefits of masking and get creative regarding finding 10 to 20 minutes to treat yourself to this small luxury once or twice a week.

Masks work best with consistent long-term use. Always apply a mask to clean, dry skin. Avoid the area around your eyes and your lips when applying, unless the mask is made specifically for those areas. Read and follow the package instructions regarding the length of time to leave the mask on your face and the method for removing the mask.

The following are some tips for selecting masks for your skin type.

• If you have combination to oily skin, consider masks that are clay or charcoal based. These types of masks work by absorbing oil out of your pores. These types of masks are good for deep cleaning your pores.

• If you have normal to dry skin, look for masks that use words like "hydrating," "moisturizing," or "nourishing." Masks that are designed to hydrate your skin may contain ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or plant oils and butters. Moisturizing masks may come as sheet masks, gel masks or clay-like masks. They leave you feeling refreshed and your skin feeling soft and supple.

• There are also masks that address specific needs such as acne prone skin, sensitive skin, skin in need of brightening, or pore-minimizing.

• You may benefit from more than one type of mask. You may need a mask for oily skin in your T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) and a moisturizing mask on your cheeks. Applying 2 types of masks at once is called multi-masking and makes sense for many women.

Masks are not meant to replace your daily cleansing or moisturizing. They are meant to boost your skin care routine and address specific needs once or twice a week.