Face Pack 101: Best Face Packs To Try + Homemade Face Pack Recipes
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Using a face pack is an essential part of any skincare routine, and you must have seen your favorite celebrities posing for a selfie with a face pack on!
There is a dizzying array of face packs in the market, available in all forms and colors these days.
It’s natural to be intimated by all the variety.
However, don’t worry!
In this article, I’m sharing our complete guide for using a face pack in your skincare and I will be also listing the best store-bought and homemade face packs, so you can try this goodness ASAP!
What is a face pack?
Let’s start with the basics and clear up what exactly a face pack is.
A face pack is actually a face mask that is a combination, or a mix of potent ingredients that are applied directly on the face (so your skin can absorb all the goodness).
They’re very popular at beauty salons, but with the abundance of powerful face masks we have these days, you can easily have a perfect face pack at home.
A face pack rarely comes in a sheet form (that’s purely for masks).
Instead, they are formulated as thick pastes, gels, or creams, so that you can spread a considerable amount of product on your face and enjoy a really powerful nourishing or hydrating effect.
Is face pack good for skin?
A well-chosen face pack can combat a variety of skin conditions like wrinkles, dark spots, dryness, uneven skin tone, and acne.
You can choose a face pack catered to your skin type, and this allows you to target and treat a specific skin issue – just like serums!
Face packs are amazing because they form a barrier between your skin and the environment, which means that all the potent ingredients are absorbed in the skin rather than evaporating.
Since it is much creamier than sheet masks, face pack can stay on your skin for longer without becoming dry.
It can also provide more nourishment than a sheet mask.
Do face packs really work?
Absolutely, yes.
Face pack is one of the most moisturizing or nourishing products you can use thanks to:
- a higher concentration of skin-helping ingredients;
- choice of highly active skincare agents;
- occlusive design that covers your whole face.
A good face pack can make your skin look young and fresh, and you can see instant results in just 10-15 minutes.
Nice, eh?
Also, applying a face pack is excellent if you want to lay back for a few minutes while your skin rejuvenates and heals.
A moment of self-care is always nice and refreshing!
Homemade vs. store-bought face pack – is there a difference?
The internet is filled with fancy face packs to buy (and they’re really great – more about that in a second), but we can’t deny the importance of homemade face packs too!
You can whip up a quality face pack at home using ingredients already present in your kitchen to reap the same benefits as a store-bought face mask.
Most manufactured face packs harness the power of natural ingredients like aloe vera, avocados, yogurt, honey, and pineapple in their formulas.
You can easily use these ingredients to make a face pack that gives you the same benefits at a fraction of the cost.
Homemade packs are incredibly economical, and you can have fun combining different ingredients to make a face pack tailored to your skin problems.
Store-bought face pack, on the other hand, has the advantage of being convenient and time-saving.
It can also give you results faster thanks to being formulated in labs under expert guidance (which simply takes all the guessing out of your face pack routine).
However, in the end, it comes down to your preferences.
Rest assured that both homemade and store-bought face pack will deliver great results, as long as you’re using them.
How to use a face pack?
Applying a face pack is very easy, but you want to follow the proper instructions to get the best results.
- Start by washing your face with a mild cleanser to remove any dirt and sweat on your face.
Cleansing allows the ingredients to penetrate deeper into the skin.
- Squeeze out a generous amount of face pack on your hand (or use a spatula to scoop it from a jar), and apply an even layer using your fingers or a brush.
You can get a face pack brush for a few dollars, but a foundation brush also works well!
2PCS Silicone Face Mask Brush by PIRRABB
- Let the face pack sit on your skin for 10-15 minutes (depending on the instructions).
- Rinse it off using lukewarm water and pat dry your skin.
- Follow up with your favorite moisturizer.
Up next, let’s explore the best face packs for various skin requirements.
These goodies were all purchased and tested by me or my team members, and we think these were clear winners among the others that we tried.
After reviewing these goodies, you will also find a bunch of homemade face pack recipes and trust me – those work just as well!
How many times should I use face pack?
For the best results, make sure to use your face pack at least 5 times, and then make a decision whether it’s working for you.
With all-natural, homemade face packs, it may take even 5 to 10 applications, because homemade face packs are a bit more gentle (yet still effective).
Can we apply face pack daily?
If you choose the right face pack for your skin type, it’s perfectly safe to apply it daily.
Make sure to monitor your results.
If you notice an irritation, maybe do a face pack once every 2-3 days.
Otherwise, enjoy your skin care routine with a nice, refreshign face pack in it!
If you’re worried whether it is safe to use face pack daily, just go witha simple rule of gradual introduction.
Use your face pack once a week first, then – 2 times a week and so on.
This way, your skin can get accustomed to a particular skin pack and it will minimize the possible irritation.
What is the best time to apply face pack?
According to Healthline, it’s best to use your face pack after taking a shower.
This way, your pores are still open thanks to the warmth of the shower, so the active ingredients in your face pack can sink in easier.
This is especially recommended if you’re using a deep-cleaning or anti-acne face pack.
If you have dry skin, you can also use a face pack before taking a shower.
This way, the warmth can seal in the moisture from your face pack deeper into your skin.
Best Store-Bought Face Packs For Every Skin Concern
There is no single answer to what brand face pack is the best.
However, there are highly popular face packs that seem to work better for specific skin needs.
Let’s see them!
1. What is the best face pack for glowing skin?
If you want to get glowing skin, look for a mask or face pack with mild exfoliating agents like lactic acid or fruit extracts.
These ingredients gently dissolve the top layer of dead skin cells to reveal a glowing, radiant complexion.
AHAs are also great to promote cell turnover and minimize wrinkles, acne scars, and fine lines.
The Glow Recipe Watermelon sleeping mask is a brilliant face pack that packs in all these properties and delivers fantastic results overnight (lovely beauty sleep guaranteed!).
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask
It is infused with a blend of hyaluronic acid and fruit acids to exfoliate and nourish the skin.
Your skin gets a boost of hydration, while the natural acids remove dead skin cells for a more youthful, fantastically clear complexion.
You will notice that your skin is very soft and smooth after using this face pack, and any pore congestion will be visibly improved.
2. Best face pack for dry skin
When looking for a face pack for dry skin, keep an eye out for hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin, and Aloe Vera in the ingredient list.
These ingredients are humectants, which means that they absorb water from the air into your skin and hold on to it for lasting moisturization.
The Rosewater Face Pack by Advanced Clinicals has been specifically designed for dry and damaged skin, and it contains hydrating ingredients to give your skin a boost of nice hydration.
Advanced Clinicals Rosewater Mask for Fine Lines, Dry Skin, Puffiness
This face pack combines the goodness of rose petals and blueberry extract to soothe the skin, and aloe vera extract to combat dryness.
It also contains a bamboo extract that helps to restore your moisture barrier, and keeps your skin looking young and plump!
3. Best face pack for oily skin
If you have oily skin, you should aim to find a face pack that gently removes excess oil without drying it out.
Clay masks, mud masks, and charcoal masks are great for oily skin because they lift off the dirt and leave your skin looking smooth and matte.
The MAJESTIC PURE Dead Sea Mud Mask is our go-to face pack for oily skin as it incorporates beneficial ingredients without being too harsh on the skin.
After applying this face pack, you’ll notice a brighter complexion, and your skin will feel clean and radiant!
MAJESTIC PURE Dead Sea Mud Mask
You can also quickly mix a face pack for oily skin in your kitchen if you’d rather go down on the do-it-yourself route.
Homemade face packs are especially fantastic for oily skin because they’re all-natural, so there are no harmful additives or preservatives.
The easiest way to DIY a face pack for oily skin is by combining equal amounts of honey, plain greek yogurt, and brown sugar.
Apply this mixture on your face for 15 minutes and rinse it off.
The honey has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, yogurt moisturizes + brightens the skin, and the brown sugar helps to gently exfoliate your skin.
Pure and clean goodness!
4. Best herbal face pack
Herbal face pack is designed to use the power of natural herbs and extracts, thus it will be very gentle on your skin.
You should look for a herbal face pack if you prefer using organic and botanical ingredients instead of chemicals.
All the ingredients in herbal face packs should be organic and naturally sourced, whenever possible!
I DEW CARE Yoga Kitten | Balancing Kaolin Clay Face Mask with Heartleaf and Tea Tree Extract
If you want to whip up a natural, botanical face pack at home, check out these turmeric face mask recipes!
5. Papaya face pack for skin lightening
Papayas are an excellent source of all the vitamins and minerals that our skin craves.
They’re also wonderful if you want to get a brighter and whiter complexion.
Papaya face pack will hydrate and rejuvenate your skin thanks to the natural enzymes that are gentle, yet effective exfoliants.
The Organic Pharmacy Enzyme Peel Mask packs the goodness of fresh papaya and vitamin C to leave your skin looking very bright, plump, and smooth.
The natural enzymes help to lift dead skin cells and reveal a glowing complexion quickly and safely, so you can use it even if your skin is sensitive.
The Organic Pharmacy Enzyme Peel Mask with Vitamin C & Papaya
6. Best face pack for pimples
If you want your face pack to combat blemishes and pimples, it should contain active anti-acne ingredients like salicylic acid to clear the skin.
Now, acids are very active and strong, so it is best to start by using your anti-acne face pack once a week.
Then, see how your skin reacts before using it more frequently.
We love The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque for blemished skin:
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
The salicylic acid in this face pack penetrates deep into the pores to fight acne-causing bacteria, reduce blemishes, and fade acne scars.
It’s a beautiful addition to your skincare routine if those pesky pimples just won’t go away!
You can also try a more natural option, like an ayurvedic face pack powder that targets active pimples specifically:
Best Homemade Face Masks (With Recipes)
These natural face packs will help you to solve a ton of skin care problems!
If you want to enhance their efficiency, before doing these face packs, give yourself a nice exfoliating session.
To keep things natural, you can always mix a tablespoon of baking soda with some water and gently rub in circular motion.
It’s a very gentle scrub that is very effective at removing dead skin cells and revealing radiant skin.
1. Turmeric powder coconut face pack
This homemade face pack works great for any type of skin, but thanks to the antimicrobial properties of coconut oil and honey, those with acne-prone skin will benefit the most.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil (or milk)
- 1 teaspoon of honey (if possible, the manuka honey, but if it’s not available where you live, any kind of natural honey will be good)
- Optional: half a teaspoon of orange peel
How to use this face pack:
Mix all the ingredients until they look as a smooth paste and apply over a clean face.
Leave on for 15-20 minutes, then wash it off with a foaming face wash.
Use once a week.
2. Deeply nourishing olive oil and shea face pack
This face pack is perfect for those who struggle to keep their skin from drying out.
The extra nourishing ingredients will make your skin nice, soft, supple and stronger.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of almond flour
- 1 tablespoon of raw shea butter
- Optional: a teaspoon of honey or rosewater for extra moisture
How to use this face pack:
Mix all the ingredients well to form a smooth paste.
Apply all over your face, avoiding the eye area.
Leave on for 15 minutes, then gently wash off with water.
Use 1-2 times a week.
3. Lightening face pack to fade freckles and acne scars
Get from dull skin to glowing skin in no time!
Rich in skin whitening ingredients and glow-boosting vitamin C, this homemade facial mask is wonderful for any type of skin, except very sensitive or damaged skin (in this case, skip the lemon juice).
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons of mashed papaya (can be swapped with mashed fresh tomato)
- 1 tablespoon of greek or natural yogurt (can be substituted with curd or honey)
How to use this face pack:
Mix all of the ingredients until a smooth paste and apply over your face (avoid eye area).
Leave on for 10 minutes and wash off.
Safe to use once a week to fade scars and spots.
Note: if you would like to improve the lightening power of this particular face pack, make it a sandalwood face pack by adding half a teaspoon of sandalwood powder.
Sandalwood is great for reducing acne and pimple scars or blemishes, leaving your skin extra even.
If you can’t find sandalwood powder in your stores, cinnamon works just as well!
4. Hydrating face pack for any type of skin (lots of moisture!)
This face pack will quench the thirst of your skin, even if it’s very dry.
It’s a very gentle mixture, safe to apply on sensitive skin as well.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of Aloe Vera gel
- 3 tablespoons of fresh, mashed avocado
- 1 teaspoon of manuka honey or any kind of honey
- 1 tablespoon of mashed cucumber
- 1 teaspoon of rose water
- Optional – one vitamin E capsule
How to use this face pack:
Peel the cucumber before mashing.
Mix all of the ingredients and apply over your face, leave to sink in for 20-25 minutes.
Wash off and apply a lightweight moisturizer.
Use as often as you like!
5. Soothing face pack for sensitive skin
This gentle face pack is perfect for times when your skin gets irritated and red, or overly dry.
Oats, milk and bananas will soothe the skin and encourage the healing process (hint – do not apply this on open wounds though!).
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of finely ground oats or oat flour, or gram flour
- 2 tablespoons of mashed ripe banana
- 1 teaspoon of witch-hazel water or rose water (optional)
- 1 teaspoon of milk or curd
- 1 teaspoon of almond oil
How to use this face pack:
Mix all of the ingredients together.
If the paste feels too runny, add a little bit more of oat flour or curd.
Apply all over your face.
To make this even more soothing, cover your face with a little bit of plastic wrap, lay down, and gently cover your face with a warm towel.
Leave on this face pack for 15 minutes, then gently wash off with lukewarm water.
Use once or twice a day once your skin sensitivity is minimized.
Using Face Packs In Skin Care: Our Final Thoughts
Face packs can be very beneficial for your skin, and by using the right pack, you can provide so much of that oh-so-needed love for your skin.
Even though a face pack requires more effort than a sheet mask (you know, those have that “use and throw away in a sec” benefits), they’re still pretty easy to use.
Just swipe on (a lot!), wait, and wash away with warm water to reveal your natural glow.
Repeat once a week and your coworkers will be showering you with questions about your stunning skin!
And if you feel like you need something stronger, you can also try a salon-grade face pack with your aesthetician.
Salons have even more potent face pack versions, and when applied by a specialist, they can give fantastic results in a very short time.
Maybe it’s time for a facial, eh?
I hope you liked our guide and feel ready to become a face pack diva!
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