Part 4. Restoring & Replenishing

If you are just joining us for the first time, please read the previous posts about the cleansing part of the routine.  Skincare routines are largely built around cleansing, which includes exfoliation (deep cleansing) and restoring and replenishing.  We also discussed choosing skin goals including that of anti-aging and anti-inflammation on top of your personal goals to set as targets when choosing products for your personal skincare routine. 

Replenishment, Restoration, Hydration 

Replenishment, Restoration, Hydration:  Ok, so now that your pores are clean and fresh, it’s time to replenish and moisturize your skin. (Did you miss the cleansing steps before this?  See here.)  I like to use a potent mix of antioxidants in these steps to fight free radicals.  These are the products in which you should be investing. Here are the ingredients you should look for as you choose your products.  Most of the time in beauty, you really do get what you pay for as the more effective ingredients create a higher demand and drive costs up. As for the sequence of your routine, when in doubt, go in order of the most water based product that’s transparent, watery and light, to the thickest, more oil-based, creamy, heavier product.  The idea is that the smaller molecules should go on first to be absorbed into the deeper layers while the bigger molecules serve more as an occlusive to keep moisture locked in. 

1. Preparing/ setting the skin:  Apply toner here (non alcoholic, skin prepping.) You can choose to replace with a glycolic acid/ salicylic acid pads, an essence or mist here. Some also like witch hazel, or I sometimes recommend a rose water based toner, a pH balancing toner, or a skin-relieving toner,  if none of your products in the routine have it. Determine the right products by your skin goals.  
2. Apply essences, ampoules and serums here- in that order. If you are layering on multiple products here, remember: clearest to creamiest or smaller molecules to bigger molecules. Ampoules penetrate deeper so they go before serums.  The more translucent and watery textures should be applied first. It is totally OK to layer. People ask whether you should wait before applying the second or third serum and technically, yes, you should give it a minute to settle in, but it’s OK to pat on. All of your products in these steps should have your active ingredients that hit your anti-aging skin goals- all your vitamins, peptides and antioxidants.  If you are using potent but effective ingredients like Vitamin C or retinol that you can be sensitive to, be sure to apply them at night. Some people advise not using the two together, but that also depends on how sensitive you are. The reason some advise not to use them together or before exposing your skin to the sun is that these can all cause irritations.  It’s important to know your skin and build up to using powerful actives over time.  Again, it would be wise to always have a Mask Moments mask handy to soothe and calm any inflammation in case you flare up from irritations. You’ll be hitting your anti-inflammation skin goal at the same time.  
3. Restore that nutrition and hydration with your Mask Moments! This is the MAIN EVENT of your routine! We recommend masking minimum one time a week if you are not in the habit, but generally, two to three times a week is recommended.  Celebrities and women in Asia mask daily and before big events so the make up can go on smoothly. If you are using a cheaper, paper/fabric mask, do not leave on long. Ten minutes should suffice before the fabric dries. Definitely don’t sleep in it. If you are using Mask Moments, you can leave it on as long as the mask takes to seep into your pores and absorb. You will see the mask begin to thin as the antioxidants, peptides and actives transfer.  In fact, applying Mask Moments at this step will help the actives from your serum in the previous step absorb into your skin as well. The mask also has a serum in it that  provides a deeper level absorption of nutrition restoration and hydration replenishment. If you are using Mask Moments masks, it’s highly likely that this is the only anti-inflammation step in your routine, which is key to anti-aging. These work like home beauty facials to plump your skin, delivering results and benefits of a spa right at home for a fraction of the price- what’s NOT to love? Also, if you are using any jade rollers, whip it out here to help circulation.

4. Occlusives: Seal off all that goodness with a good moisturizer that can act as a barrier. You want to create this layer to lock in moisture.  Moisturizing important step after masking that people often forget! Some people wash off the mask, which defeats the purpose! What you want to do is to apply an occlusive to keep from evaporating so we can lock in the moisture and nutrition you restored in the previous steps.

• Lotions/Emulsions are the thinner, lighter moisturizers.  If you have oilier skin, you may prefer using a lotion as the only occlusive.
• Thicker creams (usually night creams are thicker) go here and are applied after. Oilier people prefer water based creams, and drier skinned people prefer heavier, thicker, oil-based creams.

5. If you are using a separate eye cream and lip, cream, you can apply at this step.

6. If you are using any face oils, they go on last, as the last occlusive layer. I would only use oils during dry months, once a week, or if I’m reapplying on a flight.

7. Suncare: This is a daily must-do step that’s part of the day time routine. Use at least an SPF30 with PA+++.  I always recommend the strongest PA++++  as that indicates stronger protection from UVA, which ages skin. The sun is out every day, even when it’s cloudy and even if you are indoors with windows! There’s also blu-ray from our monitors and phones!  At night, be sure you take the time to thoroughly cleanse as sunscreens clog the pores.

 8. Any make up like primers, B.B. creams, or tinted moisturizers would be in this last step as you begin to apply your make-up.

And there you have it!  While these are general guidelines for the proper skincare routine, beauty is personal and depending on your skin goals, your products will differ.  Make sure your products target anti-aging, anti-inflammation and the goals you want to target.  Build your personal routine around these products based on the guides we provided around cleansing and restoring/replenishing.  Remember that any routine is only effective when you are consistent and stick to your products for at least one skin cycle.  Masking should also be incorporated REGULARLY into a routine as opposed to using as a special occasion treat. Mask Moments will help target restoration and replenishing for anti-aging as well as treating inflammation. Skincare maintenance is a routine habit, and we keep our customers on track with our subscriptions (non subscription products are available too).

Ready to try the newest specialty face mask on the market? Mask Moments is made of absorbent, anti-inflammatory coconut jelly and is a direct-to-consumer beauty masks subscription service. 

Try it for $1 today 

1. If you are an ingredient-conscious consumer...

Mask Moments specialty sheet masks are made from fermented coconut fruit extracts, unlike your average cloth-like face mask.  Cocos nucifera (coconut) extract (not to be confused with the comedogenic coconut oil) is high in protective antioxidants and antibacterial fatty acids that improve skin elasticity and help prevent premature aging and wrinkles. Coconut water also relieves redness, sensitivity, acne while soothing and hydrating. This helps slow down the aging process.  If you are an ingredient-conscious consumer, these masks are made of all natural material chock full of antioxidants with no parabens, sulfates or phthalates.

2. 10x hydration and absorption

Biocellulose contains high concentrations of antioxidants and humectants that help protect and strengthen the skin barrier.  Higher moisture content means increased hydration. Combined with the most effective natural ingredients and the most advanced technology, biocellulose sheets ensure 10 times the absorption into the deeper layers of your skin. Serum from low quality masks evaporate quickly and tend to sit on top of your skin, leaving you look wet than really hydrating. Mask Moments outperform the cosmetic effects by including highly concentrated active ingredients, providing longer lasting hydration and ensuring deep and effective absorption. 

3. Second skin fit

The no-drip, no-slip Mask Moments biocellulose masks adhere to your skin with a contoured best fit, like a second skin, creating a seal for maximum absorption and hydration while giving you full mobility. Yes, you can multitask while taking Mask Moments!

4. Convenient and easy to apply

Mask Moments sheet masks allow for a mess-free application that is neither drippy nor sticky unlike your average sheet masks. Remember that Mask Moments include two protective covers: remove one first, apply by smoothing onto skin, then remove the other cover for best results.

5. Best Value AND Glowing Results- the best investment you’ll make!

Consistent use with one of our subscription plans will ensure glowing skin and the results will be comparable to going to a spa. Don’t let facials be a one time, special occasion event, but rather, make it a routine and a lifestyle of skincare and self-care for your healthiest skin yet! Mask Moments cuts out the middleman to deliver you the highest quality of masks without the typical retail and brand mark ups. This means that the value goes straight to your pores rather than the pockets of the retailer.  You’ll find that it is the most worthwhile investment to maintain youthful skin.  

6. Biodegradable and cruelty-free

The process of fermenting coconut water helps create natural fibers for our mask. That makes our material biodegradable and 100% natural. We want to do our part to be environmentally conscious while delivering real results!  (We also don’t test on animals and use tested, proven ingredients in nature and science. More on different types of sheets here.)

7. Anti-inflammation

Did you know more than 40% of professional facials focus on calming inflammation? From pollutants to stress, inflammatory triggers from our lifestyle and environment IRRITATE our skin.  It shows as blotchy redness, early signs of aging, uneven hyperpigmentation spots, breakouts and dry skin! Inflammation causes our skin’s collagen and elastin to break down at a faster rate and causes fine lines and wrinkles to appear earlier due to a weakened moisture barrier.  Focus on relieving and CALMING inflammation regularly in your skin routine! Mask Moments biocellulose, sometimes referred to as coconut jelly, is naturally healing and cooling, calming your skin.

Remember that inflammation causes aging. Redness, irritation, rash-like bumps, acne or sunburn are all types of acute inflammation and you may even be having an allergic reaction. When it is chronic, it can become eczema, psoriasis or rosacea. The good news is that this can be prevented by using our naturally cooling masks made of coconut!. Not many people talk about this in skincare but anti-inflammation is a key component of antiaging.  Aim to soothe, relieve, calm and cool skin with Mask Moments. (What to do if you have sensitive skin.)

8. Naturally Antimicrobial (Translation: great for acne!) 

Coconut water contains an anti-microbial powerhouse, lauric acid, that helps protect against skin infections. It also contains a protein called cytokines that is responsible for encouraging cell growth and cell activation. They regulate signals in response to inflammation caused by acne that have anti-aging effects on the skin. Both external and internal use can improve wrinkles, fine lines and dark spots.

9. Breathable.. aaah!

Unlike the average face masks, biocellulose masks by Mask Moments are BREATHABLE.  Leaving on other types of masks on your skin for longer than the recommended time will cause irritation and can have undesirable effects. This is true for cloth-like types, cotton, fabric, and especially hydrogel masks.  Bio-cellulose is the only material that allows your skin to breathe while masking and can be left on the longest without irritation. For best results, try leaving on Mask Moments until the masks thin out and your skin has fully absorbed the ingredients. 

10. Naturally healing

Biocellulose sheets were originally developed to treat burn wounds and are naturally healing!

Hydration comes NATURALLY with Mask Moments!

Try Mask Moments for $1 today