Test it before using it on your face

Test a new product on a spot about the size of a quarter on the underside of your arm or the bend of your elbow. Choose somewhere the product will not be rubbed away. Apply the normal amount and thickness twice daily for seven to ten days. For a product you wash off, keep it on for the time its instructions specify, then wash it off. This testing schedule is not a schedule for using the mask on your whole face.2

If the test area stays free of redness, itching and swelling after seven to ten days, you can start using the product. If a reaction develops, gently wash it off and do not use it again. A cool compress or petroleum jelly can help relieve the reaction. See a dermatologist if the reaction is severe and those measures do not help.2

How to apply and remove it

  1. 1Read the label before applying. Follow its directions for amount, application and contact time.
  2. 2Apply gently. General facial mask guidance recommends using your fingertips.
  3. 3Leave it on only for the labelled time. Wash it off immediately if you feel itching, burning or stinging.
  4. 4Wash the mask off and apply your moisturizer.
1

How often should you use it?

Use the frequency on your stick's label rather than assuming it belongs in a daily routine. Using masks too often or leaving them on too long can cause irritation. Keep cleansing, moisturizing and sun protection in your routine. A clay mask supplements your routine, rather than being promoted to the entire department.1

What should you expect?

Clay ingredients such as kaolin and bentonite help absorb oil. A facial mask does not replace acne or eczema treatment. If you already use retinol or an exfoliating acid, avoid masks that duplicate those active ingredients, because the combination can trigger dryness and irritation.1

Read more than the word mugwort

Read the full ingredient list on the container before choosing the stick. Cosmetics can cause allergic reactions, and fragrances and preservatives are common causes of skin problems. The word "natural" has no official meaning on a cosmetic label, so it is doing more copywriting than explaining. "Hypoallergenic" has no official meaning either.3

If fragrance causes your skin to react, choose products labelled "fragrance free." "Unscented" products and products with botanical ingredients can still contain fragrance related ingredients. If you cannot identify what is causing a reaction, a dermatologist can use medical patch testing to help find the cause.2

Where this answer comes from

  1. 1Do facial masks work, and should I add one to my skin care routine?aad.org
  2. 2How to test skin care productsaad.org
  3. 3Cosmetics | Makeupmedlineplus.gov