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I remember putting on four different face masks to take a colorful selfie and share it with my friends and then realizing how amazing my skin looked in the end. What started out as a fun way to showcase different, colorful face masks has turned into a beneficial skincare practice. If you’re new to the trend, get excited because multi-masking is one of the best ways to add some fun to your skincare routine while increasing your glow. Find below everything there’s to know about multi-masking, how it benefits your skin, and how to do it.
What is Multi-Masking?
Multi-masking is applying different face masks on different areas of the face at the same time. The purpose of multi-masking is to address different skin concerns at the same time by layering multiple face masks.
Multi-masking is not mixing different face masks or applying a face mask after rinsing one.
What Are The Skin Benefits of Multi-Masking?
The most important benefit of multi-masking is addressing different skin issues at the same time. Let me elaborate.
The skin on your cheeks is different than the skin under your eyes. Similarly, the skin on your forehead is different than the skin on your lips.
They’re all different regarding their level of thickness and structure. And because of that, we have different skin concerns in different areas of the face.
For example, clogged pores and blackheads are usually seen on the center of the face such as the cheeks, the nose, and the chin whereas wrinkles are usually seen on the forehead, and around the eyes.
Similarly, excess oil is usually seen on the center of the face whereas dryness is seen on the rest of the face. When that’s the case, there’s no point in using a drying clay mask all over the face when you only need to apply it on the T-zone.
Likewise, there’s no point in applying a wrinkle-smoothing face mask on your cheeks when you need to be using it on areas that are more animated due to facial gestures.
And lastly, multi-masking saves you a lot of time. We all love binge masking, which is using different face masks after another. You need to wash one to apply the next one and wait at least 15 minutes before rinsing.
This takes a lot of time. With multi-masking, you do it all at once and use the right face mask on the right area of the face.
Who Should Do It?
Anyone, regardless of skin type, can try multi-masking. People with combination skin are the ones that should benefit from multi-masking the most. Rather than drying your face or leaving oily areas greasy, you apply a clay mask on the T-zone and a hydrating mask on the rest of the face.
What Types of Masks Are Good For Multi-Masking?
To properly multi-mask, go for face masks that don’t require any rubbing or scrubbing, and that are meant to stay on the skin for approximately 10-15 minutes. Clay masks, hydrating gel masks, and even exfoliating face masks can be used to multi-mask.
How Do You Choose The Face Masks?
Multi-masking is not about using random face masks on your face. It’s about being purposeful. For that reason, choose the masks you want to use based on your skin type and/or your skin concerns. And create a bundle, so to speak, that benefits your skin.
For example, if you have combination skin, pair a clay mask with a hydrating gel mask. If you have acne-prone skin, pair an exfoliating face mask with a soothing mask.
Similarly, if you have sensitive skin, pair a calming face mask with a moisturizing face mask. Or if you have aging skin, use a brightening face mask with a wrinkle patch.
How Many Masks Do You Need?
You need at least two face masks to try multi-masking. One for the T-zone and one for the rest of the face. But the possibilities are endless. And it’s all up to you.
You can consider a clay mask for the cheeks and the chin, a nose trip, a pair of under-eye patches for the eye area, an anti-aging face mask for wrinkles on the forehead, and a hydrating face mask for the rest of the face.
How To Multi-Mask
Step 1: Start with a clean face
To properly apply multiple face masks, you need to start with a freshly cleaned, dry face. Clean skin better absorbs the ingredients in the masks.
This is to ensure maximum skin benefits. So before anything else, make sure there’s no makeup residue or daily dirt and grime on your skin.
Additionally, you can consider using an exfoliating toner here in this step as exfoliation provides another layer of cleansing and removes dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, and makes your skincare products absorb better.
Step 2: Apply your masks
Now that you’ve decided which face masks to use, it’s time to start applying them to the areas where they’re needed. Apply your masks evenly on areas where you want to apply them. Try to avoid overlapping them.
Most masks are to be left on the skin for about 15 minutes. So after 15 minutes, rinse your face with lukewarm water and remove all face masks.
Step 3: Complete your routine
You’ll see that your skin is balanced, neither greasy nor dry, and fresh as a daisy. To maintain your glow, now is the time to apply your skincare products. Start with your face serums and once they absorb, finish off with a moisturizer.
How Often Should You Multi-Mask?
You can try multi-masking as often as you like. Using multiple face masks is no different than using a single face mask. So there’s no right answer to this.
With that being said, certain face masks such as exfoliating face masks can be too much when you use them daily. It may irritate your skin. So it’s best to stick with the rule of a maximum of 3 times a week.
When Should You Multi-Mask?
Again, there’s no right or wrong answer here. But ideally, you’ll want to enjoy this practice so you’re going to need some time to yourself. For that reason, I personally think that the evening skincare routine is more convenient for this type of skincare practice.
Additionally, I think you’ll enjoy multi-masking more after a shower when your skin is clean and fresh, and your pores are a bit loosened up from the steam.
Face Mask Combinations You Can Try For Multi-Masking
Below are my personal recommendations for face mask combos, based on your skin type, you can try for multi-masking.
For Oily Skin
You can try a clay mask for oily skin to minimize excess oil and mattify the skin. Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Mask is amazing for that because it doesn’t dry your skin.
And for the rest of the face, consider a non-comedogenic face mask that hydrates without leaving the skin looking greasy. For that, Peter Thomas Roth’s Cucumber Gel Mask is amazing.
For Acne-Prone Skin
You can pair Origins Out of Trouble 10-Minute Mask To Rescue Problem Skin on areas prone to blemishes such as the cheeks. The mask contains sulfur to reduce acne.
And to reduce inflammation and redness on the cheeks while increasing hydration, pair it with a non-acnegenic face mask like Kiehl’s Calendula Petal-Infused Calming Face Mask.
Alternatively, if your skin isn’t sensitive, you can try an exfoliating face mask such as Glamglow Supermud Instant Clearing Treatment Mask to use on the rest of the face.
For Combination Skin
To use on the oily parts of the face, try Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask. This is going to soak up excess oil and leave your complexion matte.
For the dry parts of the face, try Caudalie Vinosource-Hydra Moisturizing Mask. It’s going to eliminate dry, flaky patches.
For Dry Skin
You can pair a light hydrating mask such as the Farmacy Honey Potion Plus Ceramide Hydration Mask on the center of the face and use Kiehl’s Avocado Nourishing Hydration Mask for the rest of the face.
The latter is a really rich, thick cream mask that layers beautifully and nourishes dry skin. Additionally, consider adding in a hydrating under-eye patch such as Sephora Collection Cucumber Eye Mask.
For Aging Skin and Wrinkles
I absolutely love lifting face masks, which sound too good to be true. But I can swear by Glamglow Gravitymud Firming Treatment for my forehead wrinkles. It’s a peel-off mask.
Pair it with Patchology Restoring Night Eye Gels to infuse the eye area with retinol and plump fine lines. And use Fresh Rose Face Mask for the cheeks and the rest of the face for instantly luminous skin.
For Sensitive Skin
I have rosacea so I have redness in the center of my face. And I can recommend Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask. Even though it’s an overnight mask, you can use it as a rinse-off mask. It’s made with Centella Asiatica to calm the skin and boost moisture. Apply it on the center of the face where redness is more visible.
For the rest of the face, try Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Mask to hydrate the skin without irritating it.
For Dull Skin
If you’re dealing with lackluster, dull skin or dark spots that are giving you an uneven skin tone, try using Kiehl’s Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Mask for the center of the face. The cream-based formula has tiny granules for very superficial exfoliation to give you brighter skin.
And for the rest of your face, especially your forehead, apply Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Rescue Mask which is very creamy, nourishing, and increases radiance like no other.
So this is what multi-masking is and how you can do it. I think you should definitely give it a try if you have multiple skin concerns you want to target. Not to mention, it makes a super fun Instagram story.
