Your face is precious. Your face will need some extra loving this winter and there are several ways to make that happen. If you haven't done so already, incorporating face masks should be in your skincare routine every week. Face masks are an excellent way to spend your spa day and to also relax. Face masks also have many benefits to your skin, especially when it comes to bringing back moisture to your skin. Your skin will need all the help it needs to defend itself against the elements of winter.

Benefits of Face Masks:

• Brings moisture back to your skin

You would want to apply your face mask after you have cleaned your face. The products need a clean slate and clean pores to work with. Face masks were invented for many reasons and bringing back the moisture to the body is much needed. When you wash your face, you are stripping your skin all of the oils along with the dirt and putting it down the drain. Moisturizing face masks help reduce wrinkles and increases the elasticity of the skin.

• Added nutrients to your skin

Some face masks have active ingredients in them to keep your skin in tip-top shape. Vitamins like vitamin E or omega-3 will bring back life into your skin. It will keep your skin looking brand new. Face masks are essential to your skincare routine.

• Relaxation

Putting on a face mask is a great way to relax and unwind from a long day. On your day off or time away from the kids, is the best time to do it. It is a good way to set the mood, light some candles, and maybe play some peaceful music as you relax. It is therapeutic especially when they are infused with scents like mint, rosemary, or cucumber. Aromatherapy is a great way to calm those nerves and decrease your stress. Aromatherapy is a great way to feel grounded and drawn to the experience so you can focus on your mental health. 

• Unclogged Pores

Masking with Bentonite clay or anything similar to it can help deeply cleanse the skin and is a huge part of your skincare. Before you mask, of course, you wash the surface of your face to rid of oils and debris from your day. A face mask can deep clean those clogged pores. Clogged pores are nothing but trouble because they cause so much irritation to your skin. This is a lot of trouble for folks who are acne-prone. A face mask will give you that extra clean feeling that you need. This will also help prevent future blemishes during the week in case you do face problem skin.

• Keeps your skin in shape

Masking regularly will help your other skincare products work more effectively. The main reason for this is that after you have done your face mask, you are giving your face a clean slate and preparing it for the work you will do. It is similar to working with a clean white canvas before you begin painting that first layer. We are clogging our pores on a daily with products and oils, sometimes other products won't work as effectively as they used to. Your products like your toner, hydrating products, and your moisturizer will work seamlessly because your pores are clean and ready to go.

Best Face Masks for Winter Skin Care

Bentonite Clay Masks

Bentonite clay is the best way to give your skin a clean slate. It is always best to do it at the beginning of your work week because your skincare regimen will improve because your skin is brand new. Bentonite clay detoxifies and clarifies the skin. This also cleans and unclogs the pores. This takes away all the toxins from your pores and keeps your skin super healthy. It is beneficial to anyone that has problem skin or is acne-prone. It exfoliates the skin to buffer old dead skin from the week, so your skin can be more susceptible to your daily products. It also calms the skin thanks to the vitamins and minerals that are in Bentonite. It is known to calm bug bites, minor blemishes, and other minor issues. Skin cell renew is super important because it helps renew skin discoloration, burns, and acne scars.

SkinCeuticals Clarifying Clay Masque - this clay mask combines bentonite and kaolin in this one product. This mask is non-drying and will purify the skin in each use. This will calm the skin and will be beneficial for acne-prone skin.

Hydrating Masks

Hydrating masks will give your skin that boost of moisture that you need. If you wanted to, you could skip that extra step on adding that moisturizer the day of using your hydrating face mask. With a hydrating face mask, you can do it in the morning or at night before bed. It's even better to do it before bed because during the winter we use the heat more so at night because of the drop in temperature. Heat does make the home cozier to sleep, however, it robs your skin of moisture, which is why is great to do these particular masks at night. Here a couple of our favorites!

PCA Skin Hydrating Mask - hydrate and soothe while improving the skins barrier with this luxurious moisturizing mask. Added calming agents reduce irritation. Skin feels instantly softer and more hydrated.

SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Masque - is enhanced with a unique complex containing constituents of the skins natural moisturizing factor (NMF), this weekly hydration treatment re-establishes the water balance critical for maintaining skin metabolic functions at optimal levels.

Epicuren Discovery Hydrating Mineral Mask - a creamy mineral complex face mask designed to restore the skin’s vitality and moisture levels. This versatile mask provides a necessary protective barrier, leaving the skin soft and supple from head to toe.

ClarityRx Daily Fruit Antioxidant Moisturizing Mango Mask - an antioxidant-rich and creamy facial mask for mature or dry skin that protects the face and improving collagen formation while emollient oils help restore aging skin. 

ClarityRx Live + Be Well - This creamy, moisturizing mask represents the latest in cosmetic technology combining the detoxifying and beautifying benefits of natural probiotics (fermented plant-based ingredients), Pink Himalayan Salt, and the Essence of Rose.

Skyn Iceland Arctic Hydration Rubberizing Mask - this is a peel off mask that is designed to recharge tired skin and make you look lively again within minutes. This is also rich in Vitamin C.

Sheet Masks

Sheet masks are fun to do during the week because they come in all different types of scents and advantageous because of the oils that are in them. You don't have to make the mask or paint the mask on your face to do your skincare routine. All you have to do is to take it out of the packaging and place it on your cleansed face. In addition to this, if you want to add a chill feeling after a warm cleaning session, place the sheet mask for five minutes or even before you shower. This will make it super chill on the face and close up those open pores.

Here are some favorites that we recommend:

Avene Soothing Sheet Mask - These masks are biodegradable that are packed with calming ingredients to keep your skin happy.

Avene A-Oxtive SOS Antioxidant Sheet Mask - These masks are filled with nutrients that prevent stress and strengthens the skin's natural barrier to fight toxins in the air. This is also filled with vitamin C and E to give your skin that glow need. 

With all these tips in mind, your skin will be radiant this winter no matter what. The key here is to keep your face clean and moisturized. Winter is the time to give your skin that extralove that it needs to thrive and protect you from the toxins in the environment as well.