A face mask, also known as a facial mask, is what an esthetician applies to your face after cleansing, skin analysis, exfoliation, extractions and massage during a professional facial.

Face masks are generally left on your skin for for 10 to 15 minutes. Face masks contain ingredients like clay, aloe vera, algae, seaweed, essential oils, carrier oils, herbs and vitamins and are and are intended to treat your particular skin type or condition.

For instance, if you're dry or dehydrated, the face mask should help add oil and moisture to your skin. If you're red or have inflamed areas, the face mask should calm and soothe. If you're oily and congested, it can help draw out impurities from the skin.

One sign of a good facial is that the esthetician stays in the room with you during the mask, giving you a scalp massage or some other service that enhances your experience. If she says, "Relax for a minutes and I'll be back", it breaks the connection between therapist and guest. I'm not paying good money to lay there by myself. You can do better.

After the mask has done its work, the esthetician removes it either with a cool towel, cotton pads (or it may even peel off). After making sure it is fully removed, she then completes the facial with application of toner, serum, moisturizer, eye cream, lip balm and if it's day-time, sunscreen.

A face mask is intended to treat whatever condition is going on with your skin -- dryness, dehydration, acne, or aging skin -- so it's important to choose the right one. If you're working with a regular esthetician and a particular skin care line, she can recommend a facial mask for you to use for a once a week home facial.

What Are The Benefits of Face Masks?

Face masks have a number of benefits for the skin. Depending on what they are made of, they can do the following:

l draw impurities out of the pores

l clear up blemishes

l tighten and tone the skin

l hydrate the skin

l nourish the skin

l calm and soothe the skin

l rejuvenate the skin

What Types of Face Masks Are There?

l Clay masks draw impurities to the surface of the skin. They contain clay, kaolin or bentonite for their tightening and sebum-absorbing effects.

l Cream masks or gel masks are formulated to hydrate and nourish the skin.

l Setting masks are made by mixing a powder with water, whipping it up, and quickly applying it to your skin. They then harden into a rubbery state and esthetician peels them off at the end. These are cool and refreshing masks, but not found that often because they're tricky to work with. They're not a good choice if you have claustrophobia.

Decleor Harmonie Calm Comforting
Milky Gel-Cream Mask

This high-tolerance mask with a fresh, creamy texture, enwrapped in moisture, is inspired by Decleor's professional expertise and is applied using a sensory brush technique. "Lacto Calm" complex, a synergy of precious flower milks, combines with moisturizing and comforting plant active ingredients to gently soothe and hydrate.

Erno Laszlo Anti Blemish
Beta Purifying Mask

This detoxifying acne mask helps to heal breakouts and prevent future acne lesions. Kaolin Clay and Willow Bark Extract reduce surface oil and shine while Salicylic Acid gently exfoliates the skin.

Sothys Immuniscience Mask

Sothys Immuniscience Mask is ideal for sensitive skin types. This fresh-fragrance mask leaves skin soft and supple. It This fresh creamy mask contains decongesting agents, witch-hazel, licorice and amica, and Photonyl with anti-radical and soothing properties.