Simple skincare: Experts share insights on face masks for different skin types

The Indian skincare market is replete with facial mask brands catering to different types of skin. According to the report Face Mask Market - Growth, Trends, Covid-19 Impact, And Forecasts (2022 - 2027), the face mask market is expected to register a CAGR of 6.46 per cent over the next five years, while Asia Pacific held the largest share in 2021.

Experts say while Indians have always been into face masks made of multani mitti, chickpea flour and turmeric or sandalwood, convenience and awareness of ingredients, especially actives have recently encouraged people to include these in their everyday skincare routine. This trend was further boosted by the Covid-19 pandemic and the rising influencer phenomenon, which piqued people's consciousness about strengthening every aspect of their physical form and appearance.

According to Dr. Kaustav Guha, director, R&D division at SkinKraft Labs, "With the pandemic, people began doing their own research on the ingredients used in face masks while looking for the best-suited options for their skin. This has also left the emerging skincare brands with enormous scope to come up with face masks with new formulations that work to address specific skin problems for different skin types."

Guha and Dr. Jushya Bhatia Sarin, MD and founder member at Sarin Skin Solutions tell us which face masks suit your skin type and their side effects when used in a wrong manner.

Here are the most suitable facemask available according to different skin types:

Dry skin

Though people with dry skin should undoubtedly go for cream-based and hydrating face masks, it is very important to look for ingredients that are non-comedogenic. Face masks containing non-comedogenic oils, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid are very effective in treating dry skin problems without blocking the skin pores.

Also, people with dry skin should avoid face masks containing salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide as these compounds tend to cause more dryness in the skin. And, if you have dry skin, it is better to avoid face masks with artificial fragrances to prevent unwanted inflammation.

Oily skin

People with oily skin should look for face masks that help in absorbing and controlling the excess sebum produced in the skin. Clay masks and charcoal masks can be of the best use for people with oily skin. Also, face masks containing ingredients such as lactic acid, salicylic acid and glycolic acid provide gentle exfoliation for oily skin while simultaneously hydrating.

Sensitive skin

Even the gentlest ingredients can trigger unwanted allergies and inflammation in people with sensitive skin. Hence, you need to be very careful in picking a facial mask for this skin type. When you have sensitive skin, you can opt for face masks containing niacinamide (vitamin B3).

Face masks with natural, plant-derived ingredients can be mild for sensitive skin. Also, stay away from products containing any type of alcohol or fragrances to prevent reactions in sensitive skin.

Combination skin

Finding the right type of face mask for combination skin is often tricky. Hence, people with combination skin are recommended to use multiple face masks. For T-zone, which tends to be oily, you can apply clay or charcoal masks containing gentle ingredients. For other regions where the skin is dry, you can use hydrating cream-based masks containing light-weight nourishing oils.

Normal skin

If you have normal skin, most types of face masks suit your skin type. However, hydrating face masks with rich antioxidant booster ingredients such as green tea or fruit enzymes can be a great help to keep the normal skin healthy. And, people with normal skin should avoid using face masks containing occlusive oils that can clog the skin pores. Also, avoid using harsh exfoliating masks that disrupt the pH balance in the skin.

Also read: Beauty tips: Curious about facial masks? Here's what you need to know

Potential side effects associated with face masks:

Guha: Not every ingredient used in face masks is suitable for every skin type. There is a potential risk of developing allergic reactions such as contact dermatitis when your skin is exposed to certain allergens present in the face masks. People with sensitive skin are especially prone to such allergic reactions.

Certain heavy face masks can leave your skin with clogged pores, which eventually triggers acne breakout. Also, face masks that contain alcoholic compounds can cause extreme dryness and irritation. Some dermatologists warn against using charcoal peel-off masks as it can result in scarring, enlarged pores and permanent hypo-pigmentation in some people. Also, leaving charcoal masks on the skin for an extended amount of time can lead to the depletion of natural oils in the skin which gets damaged upon peeling.

Sarin: Masks are usually fuss-free and suitable for everyone. But one should know what his/her skin needs before using a mask. Any aggressive/exfoliating mask can irritate someone with active acne. While using active based masks like sheet masks, one should be careful in not mixing up ingredients like Vitamin C with retinol or salicylic acid with Vitamin C and others as mixing wrong actives can do more harm than good.

Over masking is also harmful for skin as it can dry up the skin and make it dull and sensitive.