What is a Cleansing Mask?

A cleansing mask is a beauty product that is used to cleanse the skin in order to keep it healthy and to give it a soft, refined look. There are some cleansing masks that are intended for use on the entire body, or on specific trouble areas on the body such as the back. Mostly, however, they're used to cleanse the face.

There are a number of benefits that a cleansing mask can offer. Some masks, for example, can help to hydrate and soften the skin. Masks made with Vitamin E, aloe, or cocoa butter are commonly the types that moisturize the skin in addition to cleansing it. Other types of masks offer deep cleansing and are intended to help reduce breakouts and fight acne. These kinds of masks sometimes include salicylic acid.

A pore-refining cleansing helps to draw excess oil and dirt out of the pores so that the pores are clear and appear smaller. These kinds of masks are often made with clay. The most common kinds of clay used in these masks are betonite clay and kaolin clay. These masks are applied to the skin in a thin but consistent layer, allowed to dry and harden, and then washed away with warm water. As the clay dries on the skin, it pulls the oil and dirt out of the pores. When the mask is washed off, the oil and dirt are rinsed away with them.

Another type of cleansing mask is also supposed to help firm the skin. This kind of mask is often used by women who are trying to combat signs of aging such as wrinkles and sagging skin. A firming mask helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and also helps to plump the skin so that it looks less as though it is sagging.

There are a number of cleansing mask recipes that can be made using products found in most kitchens. The most common products that are used in these kinds of recipes are honey, yogurt, cucumbers, bananas, avocados, or tomatoes. Each of these natural products, when used appropriately, can cleanse the skin and offer other benefits to the skin as well. Yogurt, for example, is a great product for removing makeup as well as cleansing the skin. Cucumber is excellent for hydration.