Tis the Season to... indulge in self-care
Masks at the ready, it’s time to treat yourself to a spot of post-festive pampering!
Happy Christmas everyone! We hope the festive season is treating you well and you’ve spent some time eating, laughing and being merry with those you hold dearest. In the aftermath of the gift-giving, carol singing and cracker pulling, there is always that post-Christmas Day lull when you don’t know what day it is, and you feel strangely bewildered by the lack of structure usually imposed by the working week. How do you spend yours? One thing we do recommend to everyone in this in-between stage is a hearty dose of self-care. No longer a term reserved for the overly indulgent and frivolous, the past few years have reframed self-care from being a luxury to a necessity as we recognised the importance – and benefits -of minding ourselves.
One of the simplest ways to treat your skin and take some time out of a busy schedule is to use a face mask. Face masks are ideal for weekly use and can work as a results-boosting bonus to your regular skincare routine as face masks are usually made with ingredients or higher concentrations of ingredients that you wouldn’t otherwise use in your regular routine. An example of this is one containing 18% glycolic acid. This acid helps to superficially fade hyperpigmentation but it’s a concentration that’s too strong for daily use. However, it is fantastic as a weekly treatment, bringing the benefits of a “mini-peel” without disrupting your skin’s microbiome. It is important to note that whilst face masks enhance the health of your skin, they don’t provide long lasting results and should only be used as an addition to your regular skincare routine.
If you have different needs across different areas of your face, multi-masking can be a wonderful way to give custom care to different areas of your skin! For example, if you have a spot-prone t-zone and dry cheeks: I would apply a clarifying mask to congested areas. A hydrating mask could then be used to replenish any dry patches.
If you are looking to deep cleanse blemish prone skin, salicylic acid is a rock star ingredient for pore-purging and ideal within a clarifying mask. Perfect for addressing congestion, salicylic acid dives deep into pores to remove debris and exfoliate the skin. If you are pregnant you are advised to avoid salicylic acid and opt for gentler ingredients such as glycolic and lactic acids – do always patch test before use to check for any reactions.
If you want to hydrate the skin, look for masks including hyaluronic acid. This humectant pulls moisture from the air and into the skin to deliver an instantly hydrated, plumped effect. A ceramide-based face mask is also ideal for nourishment. In our Nerdie opinion, it’s more important to focus on treating your skin concerns rather than concentrating too much on skin ‘type.’ By following a targeted, multi-masking approach you can treat each area individually and deliver the right ingredients to wherever they are needed. When carrying out treatments, always listen to your skin. If it feels uncomfortably tight after using a mask, then it could be that the formula is too drying for your skin whilst if you get spots afterwards, the ingredients may be too rich for your complexion.
Nerdie note: More than just a less messy way to mask, sheet masks also work as penetrant enhancers which allows any serums applied after to absorb even deeper into the skin. For an extra shot of hydration and skincare absorption prior to masking, use a spritz and massage into the face in circular, outward motions to prep the skin.
However, you decide to spend your Christmas and New Year, we hope you have a wonderful one! Thank you so much for all of your support and feedback over the past year. Each and every comment has been taken on board and is appreciated greatly! Take care of yourself and we’ll see you in 2025!