Look, I’ve been in the skincare game for 20 years, and do you wash your face after a face mask is still one of the most common questions I get asked – and for good reason, because the answer isn’t as straightforward as you’d think. This article breaks down exactly when to rinse and when to leave your mask on, because getting this wrong can seriously mess with your results and honestly, waste your money on expensive products.
Different Types of Face Masks
Okay so masks aren’t all the same, and that’s literally why everyone’s confused about this shit. There’s basically two main types you gotta know: rinse-off masks and leave-on masks. Easy enough, right? But then within those you’ve got clay masks, mud masks, sheet masks, hydrogel masks, overnight stuff. It’s a whole mess. The type of mask matters because it totally changes what you do after.
Rinse-off masks are like the OG masks – clay face masks, deep cleansing masks, mud masks, basically anything that goes on wet and then gets all crusty on your face. These pull out all the crap from your pores-excess oil, dead skin cells, all that gross stuff. They get hard and tight on your skin (that feeling where you literally can’t smile without your face cracking), and you HAVE to wash them off after like 15-20 minutes. If you don’t, or worse, if you try to sleep in one? Your skin’s gonna be dried out as hell. Not what we’re going for.
Leave-on masks are totally different vibes. We’re talking face mask sheets (that popular k-beauty staple everyone’s losing their mind over), collagen face masks, that nano collagen infusion mask from TikTok, overnight face masks – all that stuff. These stay soaking wet the whole time and they’re loaded with good shit like hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, vitamin c, all those nourishing ingredients. Here’s the thing though: you DON’T rinse these. Like, don’t do it. All those active ingredients are supposed to soak into your skin, and if you wash them off you just wasted your money.
Then there’s peel-off masks which are their own weird category: they dry but you peel them off instead of rinsing. And honestly some brands make weird hybrid masks that leave you standing there like “what the hell am I supposed to do with this?” But once you get that basic rinse-off versus leave-on thing, you’re set. In theory, you shouldn’t rinse them off, but the sticky glue may leave a residue on their skin. Do yourself a favour and don’t use these at all.
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How to Use Sheet Masks And Leave-On Masks
Now here’s where it gets weird. Face mask sheets, especially if you’re on TikTok and you’ve seen everyone losing their minds over that nano collagen infusion mask or whatever collagen face mask is trending, these work completely differently. And this is where I was confused for like, years. So you slap on your sheet mask, you look ridiculous for 15-20 minutes (I always do mine during a long day when I need to decompress), and then you peel it off. And your face is like… soaking wet. There’s all this leftover essence and excess serum just sitting there. Your first instinct is probably to wash it off because it feels kinda gross, right?
WRONG. Don’t do it. I know it feels weird, but that remaining essence is packed with all the active ingredients – like hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, vitamin c, all that good stuff. The best way to use it is to literally just pat it into your entire face and neck. Just squish it in there. Let the serum sink in. This is how you get maximum benefits from these types of face masks.
Dealing With Excess Product After Your Masking Session
Okay but real talk: sometimes there’s just TOO much excess product and your face feels disgusting. Like you could stick a post-it note to your forehead. If that happens after a collagen mask or one of those hydrogel masks that comes with like, a gallon of serum, you can gently dab off the extra with a tissue. Or use some micellar water on a cotton pad if you really can’t stand it.
But honestly? Give it like 5-10 minutes first. I know it’s uncomfortable but most of that stuff will absorb if you just give it time. Your skin’s needs are different than mine-if you have oily skin you might hate the feeling more than someone with dry skin who’s literally DYING for that hydration.
The Best Way to Remove Different Mask Types
Rinse-Off Face Masks (clay, mud, peel-offs, basically anything that dries): Wash that shit off after the recommended time. Splash some lukewarm water on your face, maybe grab a mild cleanser if there’s crusty bits still hanging on. Then just do whatever you normally do with your regular skincare routine. Your face should feel clean, not like you’ve got half a clay mask still chilling on there. You gotta do this or all that gunk the mask pulled out is just sitting on your face causing skin irritation, which is gross.
Leave-On Masks (sheet masks, overnight face mask types): Do NOT wash your face. Like seriously, I will fight you on this. Just squish that excess serum into your skin with your hands and let all those beneficial ingredients and nourishing ingredients do their job. You can still slap on your other stuff after – like if you use a face serum or night cream, go ahead and layer that on once the mask goop has soaked in. Your skin’s gonna absorb way more of the good stuff this way instead of washing it all down the drain.
Related: Do You Really Need To Double Cleanse?
The Bottom Line
So it all comes down to what mask you’re using. Clay masks and mud masks? Yeah wash them off with lukewarm water after 15-20 minutes because otherwise you’re just leaving all the gunk it pulled out sitting on your face. Sheet masks and collagen face masks? Don’t rinse that stuff off. Just smush that leftover essence into your skin so the hyaluronic acid and nourishing ingredients actually soak in. That’s literally it. Stop making this harder than it is, throw your mask on a clean face and you’ll actually get something out of it instead of wasting money.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
