Cotton masks are face masks imbued with functional ingredients that act on the skin, helping to clean or improve its appearance. Let's see how to prepare cotton masks at home .
DIY cotton masks
Cotton masks are sold already soaked with functional and packaged ingredients, but you can also prepare them at home.
To make a cotton mask, you can buy special cotton sheets, already perforated in the eye and lip area. Alternatively you can use cotton gauze or thin cotton sheets, like fabric remnants; if you use a recycled fabric, remember that it must be thin, clean and free of dyes and that you will have to make cuts near the eyes and mouth before proceeding.
To prepare the mask, simply immerse the fabric in a home-made infusion with dried herbs and spices and apply the cotton mask to the face; to prepare the cotton masks, choose quality ingredients.
Among the most suitable infusions for DIY cotton masks we can choose:
> green tea with antioxidant action;
> the infusion of calendula;
> chamomile or mallow, with soothing action for inflamed skins;
> the echinacea infusion with anti-aging properties;
> an infusion of sage, rosemary and mint to combat impurities and pimples.
Let's look at an example.
DIY cotton mask infusion
Ingredients
> 50 ml of water;
> 1 tablespoon of dried echinacea;
> 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder;
> 1 teaspoon of honey.
Method
Bring water to a boil in a saucepan ; add the echinacea and leave to infuse for at least ten minutes, then strain with a sieve. Let the infusion cool, add the turmeric and honey, mix well and immerse the cotton mask.
Lightly squeeze the mask and apply it on the face ; if the mask does not adhere to the skin, brush over the mask a little infusion, using a make-up brush.
Leave the mask on the skin for about ten minutes, then remove it and rinse your face with warm water.
How to use cotton masks
The DIY cotton mask should be applied to clean, perfectly cleansed face skin. Then wash your face with a mild detergent and proceed with the application of the mask, making the tissue adhere carefully to the face.
Do not scrub immediately before applying the mask : the exfoliating action of the scrub can increase the absorption of the substances contained in the mask and this could cause redness or irritation.
Before applying the cotton mask, lightly massage the face with your hands but do not apply creams, otherwise the substances present in the mask will have little chance of spreading in the stratum corneum of the skin, ie the most superficial layer.
Leave the mask on for about ten minutes, then remove it and rinse your face with warm water; wait about thirty minutes before applying your usual moisturizer.
You can repeat the treatment once or twice a week, according to your needs.
