The Emergency Sheetmask

I am not really one for sheetmasks, which is why I never talk about them.

My preference is for adding an extra leave-on product if my skin needs a boost and I already have a product for that: Sulwhasoo's Timetreasure Invigorating Serum. Whilst this has been discontinued, I've got the replacement to try (the Ultimate S Serum). 

Sheetmasks never fit my face well, I don't like the feeling of it or the time sink.

And then there's AB Muse's post about how the preservatives concentrate if you leave it on for ages.

Link to AB Muse's post about preservative concentration 

However, there is one situation when a sheetmask is indispensable: over-exfoliation.

I've borked my skin 

I was just double-checking that the term borked meant what I thought it did and found this delightful etymological explanation. Joy! 

https://www.reddit.com/r/etymology/s/G5Eeh8Dmc8

Back to borking my skin: this has happened a couple of times now because I am not an entirely sensible person.

I should have known better than to do a peel yesterday, in that my skin had felt a bit drier than usual during the day. 

But it's been a while since I've done the peel due to the holidays and developing the bad habit of doing my skincare as I'm going to bed, meaning I tend to skip steps in favour of using the quickest routine possible. 

And because I haven't used the peel in a while, I'd noticed my texture was getting rougher so it felt like time. 

The reason my skin was a bit drier was because I'd decided to test my new Missha Chogongjin Youngan Jin cream with a really basic routine to see how moisturising and shiny it is.

I don't really know why I thought this was appropriate, given I'll never just use the 10% niacinamide serum, one layer of the Decorte Hydra Clarity Softener, Isa Knox Age Focus Prime Wrinkle for All Serum and then a cream plus sunscreen. Oh and I didn't even pick anything particularly moisturising, I used the CNP Sunquid.

I'm not sure if even the Sooryehan Chunsam Sanghwang Regenerating Cream would hold up well with such a short routine. 

But when I get An Idea in my head, my brain itches and I have to try it.

On the upside, I wasn't shiny. In fact, I'd say it was slightly too matte, which does actually bode well for adding other products so I did learn something. 

I knew I'd messed up 

My skin felt much more tingly than it usually does when I use the peel. 

I often leave it on for like 5 minutes before moving on to something hydrating but I only managed a couple before it started to get a bit uncomfortable.

Next up was hydrating products with no fragrance because I was getting the distinct impression that I'd borked my skin. A soothing serum didn't help either.

Many alternating layers of snail and Benton Deep Green Tea Lotion later, it's still not OK. 

Thankfully, inspiration hits: last time I had this issue I slapped on a sheetmask and that helped a lot.

Double thankfully, I have some highly inoffensive and very basic sheetmasks in my stash. 

Whilst I don't seek out sheetmasks, I think it's probably common practice to add a sheetmask to an order to get it over the free shipping threshold. 

And it's a fun what-the-hell purchase or a nice add-on gift for birthdays. Who doesn't love the idea of a sheetmask as a gift because it's a sign that the giver wants you to have some me time, they're thinking of and attending to your self-care. 

It's a nice gesture even if it's not something I personally enjoy.

However, you might also get a great sheetmask as a gift, as I did from AB Muse in our gift exchange. Jmsolution Water Luminous S.O.S. Ringer mask is the very best sheetmask I've tried, thanks AB Muse! 

Link to AB Muse's gift exchange post

I really need to post my side of the gift exchange!

Anyway, the JMsolution fits well, the essence is super thick and comforting. 

When I can justify my next order, I'll be getting a ten pack because whilst I haven't tried it in for over-exfoliation, I'm pretty sure it would do the job.

As it is, I've just used whatever basic soothing mask I've had to hand and it's helped way more than multiple layers of stuff. 

The next day

The mask fixed the hot, uncomfortable, tingly sensation and my skin was fine the next day. 

I even didn't shower until mid-morning and my skin was perfectly reasonable - only as dry as I'd expect it to be, 14 hours after I'd done my evening routine.

I'd like to say lesson learned but I've done this more than once with the peel now. 

I don't think things through sometimes and so the emergency sheetmask is a staple in my routine. Granted, it's not something I'll use often but I've learned that it's essential to have a few sitting around for when I bork my skin. 

However, what I will hopefully learn from this is that I should use a new product in a normal routine before stripping back my routine to see how it performs. 

But in the meantime, I'll be stocking up on sheetmasks in the near future!