If you use a sheet mask or an eye mask, you want to benefit from it. Here are some of the best ways to get the most out of your eye mask or sheet mask. Using a product that works well for your skin is an important step.
Obviously, choosing the right sheet or eye mask for your skin type is important. Choosing the right sheet mask or eye mask is important too. There’s also the aftercare where you can *optimize* results. Here’s our advice for what to do and what to avoid in your sheet mask aftercare routine.
Sheet mask aftercare: what you SHOULD do
- After taking off a sheet mask or eye mask, if there’s some extra product left on your skin, you can pat it in gently. You don’t want to wipe away excess product or wash it off. If you’re using a mask where you apply the product yourself, and you find you have a lot of extra product when you remove the mask, you may be using too much. With good quality masks, a little product goes a long way. This is the case with the Dieux Forever Eye Masks (link to buy).
- Another option for extra leftover product is to use that sheet mask aftercare time to massage the extra product into your neck. Your neck often gets overlooked, but taking care of that skin can feel good and may help minimize signs of aging.
- Apply a moisturizer after your sheet mask. The products in a sheet mask are often meant to absorb into your skin in a short amount of time focusing on hydration and products that sink into the skin. Applying a ‘finishing’ layer of moisturizer after the mask is removed, can help keep those products where you want them to be. Creams tend to have occlusives and emollients, ingredients that soften, smooth and help keep hydration in the skin. That’s why it’s a good idea to complete your skincare routine with the moisturizer of your choice. On the same note, it’s important to remember that a sheet mask doesn’t replace your normal beauty regimen. It’s a booster. You’ll still want to cleanse your face before a sheet mask application.
- Do use sunscreen after your sheet mask if you’re masking in the morning. Good sheet mask aftercare will include steps that protect the long-term health of your skin. Using sunscreen is critical because it reduces the chance of getting skin cancer, as well as helps to prevent premature signs of aging like wrinkles and sagging. If you’ve applied your sheet mask at night, you can wait until morning to apply sunscreen, but do make sure this is part of your daily routine. Around 2-3 fingers worth of SPF for the face and neck.
Sheet mask aftercare: what you should NOT do
- Do not leave your mask on for too long. It’s easy to think that “if 10 minutes is good then 2 hours must be better.” This is not necessarily true. If your mask says to leave it on for 10-20 minutes (like we recommend with Dieux Forever Eye Mask), it’s due to market testing. The right sheet mask company will give you clear guidance for how to get the most out of your mask, including when to remove it and what sheet mask aftercare process to follow.
- Do not wash your face right after a sheet mask. You want to allow the product enough time to really sink into your skin. Washing the skin cannot only remove the product, but it can dehydrate the skin. While it sounds strange that water can cause dehydration, it’s because water can strip the skin of some of its natural oils - and these oils do a good job of keeping skin hydrated (especially with the right sheet mask or an eye mask.)
You may see that not all sheet masks cover the eye area. This is because the skin under your eyes is delicate and can need extra attention. In this case, the Dieux Forever Eye Mask is the perfect choice to pair with your favorite sheet mask or to apply before or after. As different sheet mask shapes suit different faces, you may find that using an eye mask under a sheet mask is the way to get the most out of your products.
