How and When Do I Use Face Masks?

By Valerie Monroe
Valerie Monroe
Photo: Jonathan Skow
Q. Is it okay to use a deep-cleansing mask followed by a moisturizing one? And how often can I use them?

A. You should probably use a deep-cleansing mask if your skin is oily, so you might not want a moisturizing mask afterward, says Diane Berson, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Weill Medical College. Similarly, if you feel you need a moisturizing mask, your skin is most likely dry, so you wouldn't want to follow it with a deep-cleansing one (which can dehydrate). It's okay to use a mask a couple of times a week, or even more frequently if you're very oily during the humid summer months or very dry during the winter, she says.

Bottom line: There's no harm in using different masks consecutively, but one can counteract the other's effects.