Favourite Face Masks & My next purchases

I LOVE face masks. Mud, gel, sheet and peel- they’ve been a staple in my skincare routine since I was a teen. Though the brands I reach for may have changed over the years, the routine of pampering and spot treating hasn’t. There’s just something about chucking on a face mask that makes you feel like you’ve got your shit sorted (or it’s about to be)…. amirite? Sometimes, if I’m feeling really adventurous, I mix and match different masks; a paint by number on my face to meet different needs for different areas. (You can tell I don’t have kids right? LOL)

Here’s a few of the brands I commonly reach for and why.

These first two products are clinical grade and only available via professional skincare establishments. I get mine from The Vanity Lab in Vancouver, they ship (it’s super fast), but you can always google and see if there is a clinic or store local to you that carries this skincare line.

The ZO Skin Health OFFECTS masque is a medicated sulfer mask that delivers deep pore cleaning while treating oily or acne prone skin. I’ve been using this as a spot treatment and all over face mask for the past three years (as needed). It dries your acne up pronto. You absolutely notice it getting rid of oily areas on your face- though skin doesn’t feel parched or stretched afterwards. Clinical grade skincare definitely costs more, but it does go a long way. I use this mask a few times a month and you don’t need to use a lot of it for it to work well. This particular mask doesn’t address redness or scarring from acne, but it does help rid you of excess sebum and stops new zits from forming in problem areas that keep erupting. 

The ZO Skin Health Enzymatic Peel is such a great mask for any skin type. It’s an at home, gentle peel that helps remove all your dull, dead skin allowing your other skincare to sink in easier and work more efficiently. If my face feels like it needs a fresh start, this is what I’d reach for- it doesn’t strip your skin, but it gets off the stage 5 clingers. It’s recommended to use 1 or 2 times a week. Feel your skincare glideeeee on afterwards.

Follow The Vanity Lab on insta to keep up with their giveaways and sales- these products are often featured.

A mask I love when I’ve got some congestion going on is the Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Honey mask. It’s touted as a purifying and nourishing mask and I can see why. This mask helps clean out pores and it’s also quite soothing and not at all drying. I don’t find that it works to eliminate acne, but it’s helpful for starving off blackheads and soothing combo skin. My skin feels soft and supple after use. The colour of the mask is also super pretty when it’s on 😛

I think I’ve liked every Origins Product I’ve tried out so far.

One of my hydrating favourites, is the FARMACY Honey Potion Mask. It’s a little sticky to get on- but feels lovely and warm once it’s applied. You have to work it into the skin until it becomes a creamy colour. My skin is glowing and smooth after I use it and noticeably more hydrated. I’m such a fan of honey products/ bee products and notice a difference when I’m using them. This will stay a staple in my rotation for a v. long time.

KIEHL’S Calendula & Aloe Soothing Hydration Mask– is also an old fave of mine when I’m looking for something that is hydrating. It’s for combating dryness, dullness and redness. I really got into using this product when I was at Coachella a few years ago with the brand and it’s something I keep coming back to in the summertime. You don’t need much and you also don’t need to have it on for a long time. This is a great pick for after a beach day or a day in the sun.

One of my favourite sheet masks comes from the drugstore (actually… it’s likely my only drugstore skincare item tbh!).

The Pixi Beauty GLOW Glycolic Boost Sheet Mask is a winner esp for the price. This mask is a serum of glycolic acid- which is like the holy grail for gentle exfoliation. It helps get rid of dead skin cells, revealing brighter, fresher skin. It’s the perfect mask to use before a night out to get your skin all glowy and plump looking.

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During the Sephora VIB  sale, I picked up this new mask to try out:

Dr. Andrew Weil For Origins™ Mega-Mushroom Relief & Resilience Soothing Face Mask

It’s marketed as a creamy, super soothing, resilience-supporting treatment mask for sensitive skin. YOU KNOW MY LOVE FOR FUNGI. This nutrient rich mask includes reishi mushrooms, fermented chaga and coprinus mushrooms. I think it will be perfect to try out this summer in the dry Kelowna heat 🙂  

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Next on my radar are these masks:

The HERBIVORE Blue Tansy AHA + BHA Resurfacing Clarity Mask

This lil’ guy looks interesting. It was sold out during the VIB sale, so I’ll look out for it next time. This Herbivore mask is described as a clarifying and cooling mask that uses natural BHA’s and AHA’s that work to gently exfoliate and get rid of old, dead skin cells and unclog pores. The reviews are steller- I’m excited.

*Don’t forget to use sun protection and avoid prolonged sun exposure when using products with AHA’s and BHA’s – it can make you more sensitive to burns.

The OMOROVICZA Silver Skin Savior Salicylic/Glycolic Acid Treatment is marketed as “a targeted mask—perfect for blemish-prone skin—that captures the power of colloidal silver and niacinamide.” 

I love the idea of mixing a more homeopathic ingredient like colloidal silver with traditional skincare ingredients like BHA and Niacinamide (Vitamin B3).  This mask promises to address acne, pores, dullness and uneven texture. For $120 I’d expect return. Will report back if I purchase, but other reviews are v. promising.

I’m SUPER curious about the Summer Friday’s Jet Lag Mask by bloggers @marianna_hewitt and @laurengores. I’m sure you saw it everywhere online when it launched. Their luxe yet approachable marketing and back to basics, feminine vibe is gorgeous.

This Jet Lag mask is described as a hydrating cream mask that gives your skin a radiant dewy glow. It’s pretty $$$ for a new brand, so I reckon I’d grab the trial size tube.

One last mask suggestion… while you’re stewing away, treat your lips to a delightful mask too! I LOVE the Bite Beauty Agave+ Nighttime Lip Therapy mask. It’s even better than the stick or squeeze tube version. I always thought the product was too thick for the tube- so this makes it much easier to use. Your lips will thank you!!

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HOT TIP FOR MASKING: Make sure to wash your face with warm water before applying your mask to open up your pores. Preferably use a washcloth and let it sit on there for a sec. You wanna make sure whatever you’re doing with your mask is going to properly sink in & not be blocked by a layer of grease. 

I hope this post gave you a few new mask ideas to add to the shelf 🙂

Let me know if you shopped the sale (and what you got)!