To maintain the beauty and youthfulness of the facial skin, special alginate masks are used. Find out the features of these masks and how to use them. Alginate masks are modern cosmetics based on substances such as alginates (alginic acid salt). They are obtained from seaweed. Today, you can easily purchase alginate masks at cosmetic stores or pharmacies and use them yourself at home.
Alginate masks: what is it?
Alginates are essentially a multi-molecular polysaccharide. In nature, they are found only in one type of plants - brown algae, about the benefits of which almost everyone knows. The composition of alginates includes hyaluronic acid, which is necessary for the skin, since over time its production slows down by the epidermis, therefore it is necessary to ensure its supply from the outside. This acid provides excellent hydration of skin cells, promotes moisture retention, gives the skin elasticity, freshness, and a healthy appearance.
Alginate masks today are available in the form of a gel and are completely ready to use, but there is also a powder that must be diluted with plain water before use. However, cosmetologists advise using special serums instead of water.
The benefits of alginate masks
The main unique feature of alginic acid and its salts is that during contact with water, a gel-like mass is formed, which includes a huge amount of vitamins and valuable microelements that have a positive effect on metabolic processes in the skin.
After the gel is applied to the previously cleansed skin of the face, it dries quickly enough and an airtight film forms, which retains valuable moisture inside the skin cells. It is this feature that plays an important role in the metabolism and regeneration of the dermis.
Alginate masks fill all wrinkles, even the smallest ones, and have a positive effect on the deep layers of the epidermis. They have a special consistency, thanks to which the oval of the face is effectively lifted and corrected. Regular use of alginate masks helps to quickly smooth out wrinkles, as well as cleanse and narrow the pores, remove the traces of spider veins, significantly increase the elasticity and firmness of the facial skin.
Alginates have unique detoxifying and antioxidant properties. These substances are able to neutralize the negative effects of radiation, accelerates the removal of salts of heavy metals, which have a negative effect on the condition of the skin.
Alginate masks can help solve almost any problem associated with the condition of the facial skin. That is why it is recommended to use them in their pure form. Quite often, manufacturers of this cosmetic product use alginic acid with its salts as a base for plasticizing masks, to which other ingredients will be added, taking into account specific needs.
To enhance the lifting effect, it is recommended to use alginate masks with chitosan. The composition of this cosmetic product contains chlorophyll, which ensures the saturation of skin cells with oxygen, and also prevents the appearance of wrinkles.
It is useful to use masks containing ginger, as it helps to quickly cleanse the epidermis and remove existing small foci of inflammation. An alginate mask containing vitamin C is ideal for mature skin care, especially if there is a problem with age-related pigmentation. The collagen contained in the mask enhances the moisturizing effect, while the epidermis restores elasticity and firmness.
You can also use alginate masks with chamomile, eucalyptus, rosewood or wheat germ oil, menthol, vitamins and many other valuable substances. To date, a wide range of this cosmetic product is presented, which must be selected taking into account the type of skin and your own requirements.
It is important to remember one main rule, if you have a tendency to allergies, you can use alginate masks, but in this case you only need to choose a product that does not include additional ingredients.
Advantages of alginate masks
This cosmetic product has many advantages and has the following effects:
- the vessels are narrowed;
- signs of irritation and redness of the skin are quickly removed;
- the process of breaking down excess fats is accelerated;
- the mineral balance in the deep layers of the skin is normalized;
- saturation of the epidermis with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is provided;
- the tone of the skin increases;
- the number of enlarged pores decreases, due to which they become almost invisible;
- it turns out to be a bright anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effect;
- the process of removing harmful toxins is accelerated;
- the natural protective functions of the epidermis are activated;
- the shade of the face is leveled;
- the skin looks fresher and more attractive;
- signs of small wrinkles are quickly eliminated;
- assistance is provided to the ceramide production process;
- increased sensitivity and soreness of the skin decreases;
- signs of pronounced pigmentation of the epidermis are quickly eliminated;
- puffiness and puffiness of the face is removed;
- the firmness and elasticity of the skin increases;
- the amount of fatty tissue is normalized;
- the increased fat content of the skin is quickly eliminated.
The main advantage of alginate face masks is that they are ideal for all skin types. They are most popular among the owners of problem skin - the ugly oily sheen is removed, the skin is saturated with the necessary amount of moisture, the general condition of the epidermis improves. Alginate masks are recommended for the care of aging and mature skin.
Types of industrial alginate masks
Today there are several different types of ready-made industrial mixtures:
- Basic are used to moisturize and tighten the skin. They contain sodium alginate, which is mixed with a special hypoallergenic serum or mineral water.
- Herbal ones are used for soft moisturizing, nourishing and cleansing the skin of the face, décolleté and neck. These products contain only natural and natural ingredients (for example, ginger, chamomile, green tea, aloe, etc.).
- Collagen are intended for moisturizing, tightening and rejuvenating the skin, they are excellent helpers in the fight against fine and deep wrinkles. These masks include a base mix and collagen.
- With ascorbic acid, they help to quickly lighten the existing age spots, fine and deep wrinkles are smoothed, the skin acquires a healthy glow, and the tone is evened out.
- Chitosans are ideal for dry skin care. They have the ability to activate the processes of renewal and regeneration in the skin cells. This type of mask is recommended for effective tightening and moisturizing of the epidermis.
How to use alginate masks?
Such cosmetic procedures are best done in a beauty salon, but you can also do them yourself at home if you adhere to all stages of application:
- First, the skin is prepared. Make-up is removed without fail, the face is cleaned of dust and dirt so that the skin is perfectly clean. For this purpose, you can use lotion or milk to remove makeup, and a scrub to remove dead cells.
- A small amount of oily cream is applied to the eyebrows and cilia, since the active components of the masks should not interact with them. If you neglect this advice, eyelashes and eyebrows may soon change color or there will be a problem of their loss.
- In the next step, an additional agent is applied. Alginates themselves have the ability to increase the level of skin permeability and deliver valuable nutrients to the deep layers of the epidermis. But in order to enhance this effect several times, it is recommended to apply any composition under the mask. For example, for this purpose, you can use various essential oils, serums, emulsions, etc. Taking into account the type of skin, as well as existing problems, an additional composition will be selected.
- Now the mask itself is being prepared. In the event that a ready-made gel was purchased, then it can be applied immediately. However, provided that the choice was stopped in favor of a powder, it must first be diluted with water or another liquid (for example, micellar or mineral water). As a result, a sufficiently thick mass should be obtained, as close as possible in consistency to thick sour cream.
- The next step is to apply the mask itself. To do this, it is worth using a special cosmetic spatula, thanks to which the mask is spread over the skin in an even layer, while the areas around the mouth and eyes should not be touched. It is advisable to apply the composition with gentle movements along the massage lines - in the direction from the chin and to the ears, from the nose and to the bridge of the nose, from the middle of the forehead and to the temples.
- Then you need to lie down as comfortably as possible and wait a while, as the mask should harden. This will happen in about 10 minutes, when there is a feeling that the skin is literally tightening. Don't worry, this is normal.
- After half an hour, you need to remove the mask. This will be very easy to do, because it becomes like a film and simply separates from the skin. You need to start from the chin area to make it more comfortable.
- After completing this cosmetic procedure, any nourishing cream is applied to the skin.
Contraindications to the use of alginate masks
Contraindications include only individual intolerance to individual components that make up alginate masks. However, alginates practically do not cause an allergic reaction, but this is one of the additional components - for example, ginger. That is why, before using alginate masks, a small sensitivity test is first performed when the agent is applied to the inside of the wrist. If redness or unpleasant itching does not appear, you can use a mask.
You can use only high-quality alginate masks, which are produced by well-known cosmetic companies. However, such products have a rather high cost, which is their main disadvantage. You should not buy very cheap masks, as there is a risk of buying a fake and causing serious damage to the skin.
For more information on using the alginate face mask, see here:
[media =
