Top 5 Benefits of Using a Face Mask
What does a face mask do and how do they actually benefit your skin? We share the 5 reasons using a face mask will have your skin set to glow and send your self-care vibes sky-high. Target skin concerns with active ingredients Are face masks good for your skin? You bet they are! Rich in active ingredients face masks are formulated to target specific skin concerns like pigmentation, dullness, ageing concerns, dehydration, redness, congestion, and dryness. Put simply, an ‘active’ is an ingredient that changes the skin in a particular way - it’s the ingredient responsible for doing the work that the skincare product says it will do for you. Use our quick guide to discover the best ingredients to match your skin concerns to help choose the perfect mask. Signs of ageing Active ingredients: Peptides, hyaluronic acid, and Tasmannia Lanceolata extract. Dullness and hyperpigmentation Active ingredients: Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Kakadu Plum (contains high levels of Vitamin C), licorice root extract, and pomegranate extract. Acne, oil, and congestion Active ingredients: Activated charcoal, kaolin and bentonite clays and hyaluronic acid. Redness and irritation Active ingredients: Wild mint, hyaluronic acid, maclura cochinchinensis leaf, and broccoli sprout extract. Dryness and dehydration Active ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide (Vitamin B3), aloe vera, green tea extract, and shea butter. The face mask benefits of active ingredients double down because you’re leaving the mask on for an extended period of time - anywhere from 10 minutes to overnight. This really helps your skin soak up all those beneficial actives. Works with other skin care for maximum impact Face masks are team players when it comes to boosting the results of your skincare routine. They help your other products go the extra mile to deliver even better (and faster) results. The key is to choose complementary products that work together in a harmonious little team with your face mask. With this in mind, we recommend pairing your mask with a cleanser and serum with ingredients designed to target the same skin concerns. For example, if you want to brighten a dull complexion and help reduce pigmentation, try this brightening trio from our range: Cleanser: The Uncomplicated Cleanser Plus Brightening Serum: Pomegranate Brightening Serum Booster Mask: Bouncy Brightening Booster Mask All are formulated with ingredients to brighten, lighten and smooth skin. Layering the active ingredients in all 3 products will deliver optimal results. You’ll find complementary serums, cleansers, and Booster Masks in our range that you can team up to address a range of concerns from ageing and redness to dryness and acne. The cleanser and serum are for daily use while your face mask should be 2 - 3 times a week, depending on your skin type. Have a chat with our esmi Skin Team if you’re not sure how often you should apply a Booster Mask. Have the salon experience at home Face mask benefits aren’t just about glowing up your skin. They’re the perfect opportunity for a little self-care recharge...DIY salon style. Sure, you can totally pop on a mask and multi-task doing other things…. but why not slow down, take your time and soak up the salon experience at home? Turning your masking time into a self-care sunday ritual is a great way to stay consistent with how often you apply the mask (consistency is everything!) and give you some ‘me time’ to look forward to each week. esmi Booster Masks are formulated with natural ingredients and fragrances to treat your skin and your senses for a holistic experience. Draw out impurities from the skin For oily, congested, and breakout prone skin clay and charcoal face masks are absolute game changers. The genius of clay and charcoal is their ability to draw out impurities from deep within the pore, including dead skin cells, to reduce congestion. With less congestion and clogged pores, breakouts are minimised. Skin is clearer, brighter, and more even. Bentonite and Kaolin clays also offer superb oil control. They soak up excess sebum on the surface to minimise shiny face syndrome. Kaolin clay is a good choice for all skin types, particularly sensitive and dry skin as it’s very gentle and won’t aggravate a compromised complexion. Bentonite has stronger absorption properties making it ideal for normal and oily skin types that can handle deeper cleansing action. Moisturise for a deep glow One of the most luxe treats you can give your skin, especially a dry, parched complexion, is a deeply moisturising face mask. A cream-based mask formulated with active ingredients to conquer dehydration and dryness offers the optimal moisturising benefits. Because the mask sits on your skin for an extended period, those helpful active ingredients penetrate deeply and get to work on not only the surface but deeper layers. The result is more hydrated, moisturised skin which translates to a beautiful healthy glow! Look out for these key ingredients in a moisturising face mask: Hyaluronic acid: An active ingredient which delivers a boost of moisture deep into the skin cells. Niaminicide (Vitamin B3): Strengthens the skin barrier to help keep moisture locked in. Allantoin: Helps moisturise the skin to improve signs of dryness and irritation. Shea Butter: Works to soften and smooth dry skin. For all the face mask love your skin will ever need, check out the entire esmi Booster Mask range.
Hydrate Your Skin for a Cause
This year esmi joined the conversation for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Taking a step back to reflect and learn more about breast cancer for yourself or someone you love is possible when we can raise our voices and help spread the word. The esmi team are committed to supporting breast cancer awareness and actioning change using what we know best - skincare! If you are an avid user of our Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum you know how it can help and heal dehydrated skin. That’s why we wanted to hydrate for a cause and create a Limited Edition Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum (using the breast cancer signature pink colour of course) to raise awareness and donations for the National Breast Cancer Foundation — the leading national organisation in raising money specifically for breast cancer research. What is Breast Cancer Awareness Month? If you haven’t heard, Breast Cancer Awareness Month provides an opportunity for Australians to learn more about breast cancer disease and acknowledge how it can affect those with breast cancer and their support network. Breast cancer is the most common cancer for Australian women besides skin cancer (your little reminder to wear daily SPF). Chances are you or someone you know has had experience dealing with breast cancer as a patient or as a support person. Even though breast cancer is common, survival rates are improving year on year with 89% of those diagnosed surviving for 5 years or more as a prognosis. This is largely due to awareness campaigns like Breast Cancer Awareness Month which teaches Australian women the importance of regular screenings and visiting the doctor when something doesn’t feel quite right. This month also highlights the importance of education and research in this space which can lead to more efficient treatments and support for those diagnosed with breast cancer. But, what can I do to help? You can donate directly to the National Breast Cancer Foundation or share social media resources and messaging. Or, you can see why esmi’s support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a little more fun. Why Donate Through esmi? Our team has created a Limited Edition version of our best-selling Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum! And, the best part? It’s pink of course! Each purchase of our Limited Edition serum includes a $5 donation by esmi and a $5 donation by you to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Plus you receive hydration goodness to combat all types of skin concerns — dry, oily, sensitive and pigmentation. Together you and your favourite skincare brand (esmi!) can aid in raising awareness for breast cancer this month. Help Us Reach Our $30,000 Goal! If you’re a lover of our Hyaluronic Hydrating serum and need a top-up or someone who wants to try it for the first time, there’s no better way than to donate! Help us reach our $30,000 goal to donate to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Hydrate for a cause and treat yourself to this beautiful Limited Edition Hyaluronic Hydrating serum here. Want to add more Skin Treats to your day? Shop our whole range of Skin Treats to mix and match with our Limited Edition serum to create a balanced routine that targets your skin concerns.
Do You Know Your Phototype?
Have you ever numbered your skin? Whether you’re feeling it looks like a 10 because you’ve been following your morning skincare routine or you’re choosing your perfect foundation match, ranking your skin on the Fitzpatrick Skin Phototype System works slightly differently. Here’s everything you need to know about phototypes and how to protect your Fitzpatrick skin. What Is The Fitzpatrick Skin Phototype System? We know Fitzpatrick sounds a lot like Saint Patrick's but we’re not talking about beer and four-leaf clovers here. The Fitzpatrick Skin Phototype System was developed by Thomas Fitzpatrick in the 70s when bell bottoms and platforms were all the rage, groovy baby. The idea was to classify your skin colouring and sensitivity by its reaction to UV light and the amount of pigment your skin has. Our mate Thomas thought that people with a lower Fitzpatrick Skin Phototype (FSP) and lighter skin tone could only stand small amounts of exposure compared to a person with a higher FSP and darker skin tone, so developed the scale we use today. This continues to help medical professionals assess your risk of sunburn or tanning after excessive UV exposure and indicates how likely you are to develop skin cancer. What Is The Fitzpatrick Scale Used For? While the FSP can guess how your skin will react after sun exposure, dermatologists use it to determine which cosmetic procedures and beauty treatments would be suitable for your skin. It can help you honour your body and nurture the skin you’re in by: Determining the setting on a laser when performing laser hair removal as they can cause burns and depigmentation when the correct setting isn’t used. Deciding the best dose of UV therapy you can have to treat certain skin disorders. Figuring out whether laser pigment removal for sunspots and freckles is right for you as it’s only suitable for skin types 1, 2 and 3. We’ve discussed before that there’s no such thing as a healthy natural tan so the FSP goes one step further in helping you figure out which fake tan will work best for your complexion. The first layer of your skin can only absorb a certain amount of DHA, the colourless colouring agent in sunless tanning solution that mimics your natural colour, so professional spray tanners use the scale to determine what percentage would be best to avoid over-development. We bet you didn’t know that there are actually three main bases when it comes to tanning solutions: Green neutralises pink skin tones and is perfect for lighter complexions. Violet neutralises yellow or olive undertones. Brown is perfect for those with already brown or olive-toned skin Knowing your skin tone and choosing the correct colour will mean you end up with the most healthy and natural-looking glow, without the sun damage! Phototherapy VS LED Light Therapy Phototherapy is a form of treatment that uses artificial ultraviolet light to treat skin conditions. It works by slowing skin cell growth and inflammation to reduce the appearance of inflammation, psoriasis, dermatitis, vitiligo and eczema. We can hear you asking how UV light can treat skin conditions if it also causes premature aging and skin cancer so hear us out! You know by now that the sun produces UV light and too much exposure can damage your skin. While the UV light used in phototherapy is the same type of light emitted from the sun, it’s actually controlled to prevent skin damage. There are a few different types of phototherapy which include broadband UVB, narrow-band UVB, PUVA and lasers. You might have also heard phototherapy referred to as light therapy, this is slightly different because it uses Light Emitted Diode (LEDs) which don’t contain UV rays so it’s non-invasive and perfect for regular use. There are different types of LED lights available to treat different conditions but here are a few of the most common: Blue Light Therapy: Blue LED lights are similar to the lights emitted from your cell phone which gives off a blue hue. It’s often used to treat jaundice and helps acne by targeting the sebaceous glands that can lead to oily skin and acne if overactive. Red Light Therapy: As the name suggests, red LED lights have a red hue that treats the outer layer of skin as the epidermis absorbs it and then stimulates collagen proteins. It encourages regeneration against wrinkles, redness, acne and scars which ticks a lot of boxes! Using the two together is a real game changer as it can help treat acne and decrease scarring while promoting anti-inflammatory properties. After a phototherapy procedure, you’ll need to wear sunscreen on the treated areas to protect your skin from further natural UV exposure. Our everyday skin-loving sunscreen range has been developed with non-greasy formulas that are free from parabens and sulphates. This means you’ll be confidently protected without worrying about chemical-induced breakouts, clogged pores or irritated skin. What Is Photoaging? You won’t believe it but the signs of ageing are largely thanks to photodamage caused by UV exposure more so than chronological aging! You may have heard it called photodamage, solar damage or sun damage but photoaging is basically when the sun prematurely ages the skin. It happens in the deepest layers of the skin when ultraviolet light hits unprotected skin, causing permanent DNA changes at a cellular level that may take years to surface. Because the damage is cumulative, if you’ve been continuously exposed throughout your life then you’ll notice brown spots, wrinkles, broken capillaries and uneven skin texture. Everyone is at risk of photoageing but how much photodamage you wear depends on the amount of time you’ve spent in the sun unprotected and your skin type. It’s believed that lighter skin is more susceptible to photoageing and skin cancer but darker skin can also be photodamaged and is more likely to develop uneven dark patches known as melasma. If you’re tackling the signs of ageing then esmi’s Resurfacing R0.25% Level 1 retinol serum is perfect for increasing skin cell turnover and stimulating collagen synthesis for a healthier youthful appearance. You’ll also want to look out for products with ingredients like Vitamin C and E or green tea to stabilise your skin and help brighten any dark spots. How To Identify Your Fitzpatrick Skin Type If you had to describe your skin’s colour or tone, what would you say? Genetic disposition, like the amount of melanin pigment you have in your skin, and your reaction to sun exposure are the two main factors that influence your skin type. The Fitzpatrick Skin Phototype asks questions about eye colour, hair colour, skin colour before sun exposure, how many freckles you have and more. Just like dating, you’ve got to know your type, so why not check an area of skin that receives the least amount of average exposure and ask yourself the following: What happens to your skin if you stay in the sun for an extended period? Do you turn brown after sun exposure? Is your face sensitive to the sun? The FSP then breaks down into six categories starting from light and moving up to the darkest tones of skin. Which Fitzpatrick Type Has The Highest Risk Of Photoaging? By now you’ve learned that your skin cancer risk is based on a number of factors that include skin color and sensitivity to the sun but it can also include your family history, your history of sun exposure and medication such as immunosuppressants. Generally, a lower rating on the FSP chart means your pale skin burns more easily than it tans. You likely have an ivory or porcelain shade of skin with blue or green eyes, and blonde or red hair. Being skin type I means you may have a naturally reddish undertone and might even be of English or Scottish ethnicity, because of this your skin twin would be Emma Stone or Prince Harry! Unfortunately, this also means you may have a higher risk of sun damage, skin ageing from sun exposure, melanoma and other skin cancers. Along with facing challenges against sunburn, you might also be prone to rosacea, acne and pigmentation. It’s recommended you wear SPF50+ every day so keep your skin smiling with our gentle Sun Skills for SENSITIVE. Developed with delicate skin in mind, the fragrance-free formula is designed to help strengthen your skin's barrier and prevent premature ageing without clogging pores or irritating skin. Which Fitzpatrick Type Is The Most Resistant To Sun Trauma? If you have a higher FSP, it means your darker skin burns less and always tans darkly. This is thanks to having increased melanin which provides natural protection against UV radiation. If your skin type is VI you’re least sensitive to light with very resistant skin that ranges from deep mahogany to espresso. You never freckle so might be of African ethnicity with dark hair and dark eyes, this makes your skin twin Michelle Obama or Kanye West. You generally have a lower risk of skin cancer compared with people of lighter skin tones and might not see as many of the early signs of ageing that are brought on by UV light exposure. Don’t sidestep SPF yet because excessive sun can still cause uneven skin tone and pigmentation while you might also be prone to acne and eczema. We recommend wearing at least SPF15+ so try esmi’s silky smooth Skin Shield Sunscreen SPF30, formulated with hyaluronic acid for hydration and carrot root oil for anti-aging. Does Everyone Need Sunscreen? Your skin makes up 16% of your body mass and is the largest organ in your body so no matter where you sit on the Fitzpatrick Skin Phototype System, you should be applying sunscreen daily to receive maximum protection from UV light. Once you know your Fitzpatrick skin type, it gets easier for you to understand what precautions you need to take to protect your skin. Skin types with less pigmentation have less melanin which means there is less protection against harmful sun rays, while we love rumours as much as the next person it’s a misconception that those with darker skin cannot get sunburned or develop skin cancer. Sunscreen is also your go-to anti ageing weapon so it’s never too late to practice your sun skills and prevent future photodamage. If you’re at an increased risk of skin cancer, it’s important to schedule regular skin exams and discuss with your doctor whether you need an annual checkup or if they should be more frequent. If you haven’t been in a while, here’s your reminder to make an appointment with a dermatologist if you notice any new growths on your skin, growths that have increased in size, a spot that changes or a dark line underneath or around a fingernail or toenail.
The Ultimate Hangover Skincare Routine
We’ve all been there. You tell yourself you’ll go out with the girls just for one drink - you have an early morning wake up, after all! Then one drink turns into two, then three, and then it’s all downhill from there… We totally understand that when you get home, the only thing on your mind is sleep, and the last thing you want to be doing is a full skincare routine. And don’t even get us started on the effects a hangover can have on your skin! When it comes to hangover skincare, you need something simple and nourishing so you can get back to bed, curled up with all of the water in the world and your latest Netflix binge. So listen up, because we’re going to fill you in on a few handy tips so your skin doesn’t pay as much as your head. Why You Shouldn’t Sleep With Makeup On Hangover skin care starts the night before. In what will come as a surprise to literally no one, we have a hard ‘no makeup on while you sleep’ policy here at esmi. We know you’re tired, and we know your feet hurt, but please march yourself over to that sink and grab that cleanser. We’re not saying that this is the time to do a 10-step routine, but just taking your makeup off and applying a moisturising lotion is going to make a world of difference in the morning. Why is it so important? Glad you asked! Acne Sleeping with your makeup on puts you at risk of developing a breakout thanks to clogged pores. As we sleep, our cells undergo a regeneration process, during which time oil makes its way to the surface of the skin. When residual makeup sits on the skin after a night out, it traps the oil within the skin and there are no prizes for guessing what that means: acne. Dry Skin When we leave makeup on overnight, it has a tendency to dry out our skin, especially if your idea of night-of skincare is putting a bit of moisturiser on over your makeup. The moisturiser cannot penetrate through the makeup, making it pretty much useless. As for lipstick, leaving it on can cause chapped lips, which is never a cute look. Premature Ageing Makeup can trap dirt, oils, toxins and pollution in your skin. This increases free radicals which are nasty rouge electrons that breakdown the collagen in your skin, leading to less elasticity in the skin and fine lines and wrinkles. Makeup trapped against the skin can cause a little something called oxidative damage, which can damage the skin barrier and lead to premature ageing. We know skincare after a late night is the last thing on your mind, but please remember our voice in your head as we say: always, always take your makeup off before bed. The Hangover Skincare Routine Whether you’ve taken your makeup off before bed or not (let’s be honest, we’ve all been there even though we’d never publicly admit it), the next morning you’re going to want to dive headfirst into a skincare routine that removes any toxins and deeply hydrates the skin. Whether you were an A+ student and washed off your makeup the night before or not, you’re going to want to start with The Uncomplicated Cleanser to deeply but gently remove any evidence from the night before, and oils that have accumulated overnight. Next up, grab one of our Gentle-Foliants to exfoliate away any dead skin and brighten up your complexion. Hey, you’re already looking more awake! From here on in, your skincare routine should be all about adding moisture back into your face. Alcohol can severely dehydrate your skin so today, hydration is our number one priority (both with water and our skincare). The Hyaluronic Hydrating Booster Mask is a big drink of water for your skin thanks to the hyaluronic acid, which can hold 1,000x its weight in water. Perfect for all skin types to target issues of dehydration, oily and problematic skin, it truly is the best face mask for tired skin (read: hungover skin). It also pairs perfectly with a big bowl of pasta and reality TV. After you’ve washed that off, you’re going to want to repair the skin barrier with the Probiotic Skin Mylck plus Hydration. It is a light moisturising lotion that will soothe the skin, while the good bacteria will strengthen the skin and increase hydration. The last step is to grab your pillowcases and throw them in the wash. They may be harbouring residual makeup and who knows what other oils and nasties. Best to get them familiar with a bit of soap and warm water for good measure. Don’t worry, we’re not here to tell you to ditch the margaritas for good, but we are telling you to take care of your skin as well! Before you leave the house this weekend, leave your products out for easy access so you remember to take your makeup off before you hit the hay, along with products that are going to save your skin in the morning. Those extra 5 minutes really are worth it. If you have any other questions about hangover skincare, chat to our skincare experts.
