Masks for unmasking beautiful skin
Facial masks have been touted for centuries as providing special benefits such as minimizing wrinkles, improving texture, shrinking and unplugging pores, stimulating circulation, and smoothing and refreshing the skin. The actual benefits are few. Masks do not penetrate the skin, so the effects are superficial. They can help cleanse the skin and leave it looking and feeling smooth and refreshed for a few minutes to a few hours, but most of the benefits are psychological. As the mask dries, it produces a tightening, tingling feeling that makes us think something must be happening.

Traditional masks are based on absorbent materials such as purified earth and clay. As the water evaporates after application, the clay and earth harden to form a tight mask. When the mask is rinsed off after 15 to 20 minutes, oily materials, dirt, and dead surface cells trapped in the mask are also removed. These masks are intended mainly for oily skin but may also be used on normal or dry skin.

Newer innovations in masks include gel and peel-off masks. They are usually promoted for normal to dry skin. Gel masks, which are made with ingredients such as gum tragacanth, do not harden and are rinsed off after 10 to 15 minutes. Peel-off masks, made with polyvinyl alcohol or vinyl acetate, dry to form a sheer vinyl layer like a sheet of plastic. The layer is peeled off after 10 to 15 minutes.

Some "masks" for dry skin are not really masks at all but emollient, lubricating films that act in much the same way as moisturizers to soften and smooth the skin.

For the most part face masks are not harmful, although people with exceptionally dry skin may find regular masks irritating. People with oily skin may prefer clay masks.

Whatever type of mask is used, it is important to carefully follow the manufacturer's directions for use. Don't apply a mask near the eyes unless the directions state that the mask may be applied to this area.

Win super prizes from the Neutrogena range by filling in the coupon and mailing it to reach us on or before May 13, on a postcard to:
Neutrogena Quiz, C/o Mirror Magazine,
P.O. Box 1136, Colombo.
Winners are kindly requested to collect their prizes from:
The Neutrogena shop
Crescat Boulevard
75, Galle Rd, Colombo 3.
They are requested to first telephone 075-522238 before calling over at the office.
Our lucky Neutrogena winner is:
Mrs. N. Cooray
67, Wasanthagara
Wattalpola
Panadura.

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