Face masks are a great way to give your skin a boost. There are masks to suit all types of skin most of which give both an instant and long term result. If you suffer from oily, congested skin or even the occasional spotty breakout, a weekly face mask could be the answer. Deep cleansing face masks are normally made from refined natural clays such as Kaolin or Bentonite. These are spread over the face in a cream formula that then dries to a crust. As the clay dries it draws out and absorbs excess oil, skin debris and grime. This has a deep cleansing effect and will also brighten and freshen up the skin.

A mask of this nature should be used once a week and spread over the entire face, avoiding the eye area. Leave it to dry for 10 minutes and then rinse off thoroughly. Your skin may feel a little dry afterwards so apply a small amount of your normal moisturiser. Used on a regular basis as part of a good skin care routine, a clay mask should help to keep the skin clear and gradually reduce the appearance of open pores. To revitalise or rehydrate the skin you could try a mask with specific ingredients to nourish, regenerate or brighten. These masks are usually non-setting and may be a cream or gel. This type should be left on for 15 -20 minutes and then rinsed off. They don't have such a dramatic effect but can give real benefits to certain skin types as more concentrated ingredients are absorbed by the surface layers of skin.