Face masks and exfoliating will clean your face, and remove debris, but they don’t do much in terms of treating issues like lines, wrinkles, uneven texture, marks, etc. They certainly do a good job of keeping your Skin clean, but they don’t quite have what it takes to give your skin that special glow. And if you have sensitive skin, exfoliating with a scrub or a brush can be a pain.

Maybe a face mask just didn’t give you the results you were expecting, and you need something just a bit stronger.

Microdermabrasion and chemical peels can certainly take care of issues like lines, wrinkles, spots, etc., but they are expensive, and a bit too extreme for some people. Sometimes you have a wedding in a few days, and you just want a quick touch up – and you certainly don’t have time to wait for your skin to heal, and for redness and irritation to go away. Or maybe you just want to maintain the results from a chemical peel, and don’t need something as aggressive.

It would be nice to have a middle ground option. Something that can exfoliate and rejuvenate your skin, but not be so harsh that you need a “recovery period”. The ideal middle ground product would treat fine lines and light wrinkles, treat dull, dry, or rough skin, and give your skin a vibrant glow, all while having no side effects. And if you could use it multiple times a week, that would just be a bonus.

Sounds like too much to ask for right? Actually no, it’s not. What we’re looking for is called a Reset Mask.

What is a reset mask?

A reset mask is basically a merging of face masks and chemical peels. It combines the skin cleaning abilities of a facial mask, with the skin correcting benefits of a chemical peel. It does this while being much gentler than regular exfoliating, and not being an irritant like a microdermabrasion or chemical peel. A reset mask is also safe to use 2-3 times per week.

A face mask and something like microdermabrasion or a chemical peel have a few similarities, but also some major differences. A reset mask is where they overlap.

Reset masks are applied like a regular facial mask, but contain the active ingredients of a chemical peel. These ingredients are formulated to be slow-releasing, and much milder on your skin.

A reset mask will clean and exfoliate your skin beyond what a facial mask or scrub can, but you won’t feel the sting, or burning sensation of a chemical peel or microdermabrasion.

Reset masks will also minimize your pores, and are particularly capable of reducing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).

What does a reset mask contain

Much like a chemical peel, a reset mask will usually contain a light acid. Something like glycolic acid, lactic acid – or both. These acids are used in a chemical peel to remove the top layer of the skin, letting a new, unblemished layer take its place. If you have already had chemical peel treatments, then you probably don’t need or want something so strong. Which is why the acid in a reset mask is formulated differently. They are designed to release slowly, so that their effects are not as strong. Instead of a burning sensation, you will feel a refreshing tingle.

Like a face mask, they also contain ingredients like extracts and oils that return much needed moisture and nutrients to your skin to promote healing, and bring back that glowing appearance. Fortunately, like a face mask, they are also super simple to use – and actually much simpler than masks that harden like mud or clay masks.

Who will benefit from a reset mask?

-People with fine lines and shallow wrinkles

-Those looking to restore vibrant appearance to dull or dry skin

-Sensitive skin types easily irritated by scrubs or brushes

-Those who experience harsh side effects from chemical peels or microdermabrasion

-Those looking for a touch-up after of between chemical peel or microdermabrasion treatments

-Those looking to treat slight acne marks or spots

-People who are too lazy to exfoliate by hand

As you can see, a reset mask really shines in the middle area. If your skin is very clean and clear, and doesn’t really require much maintenance, a reset mask is probably a waste. On the other hand, if you have deep lines or wrinkles, or you have scars with a dark pigmentation, a reset mask might not be strong enough for your needs.

Generally speaking, anyone between their mid 20’s to mid 50’s should benefit from a reset mask.

Which reset mask should you use?

There are a few reset masks currently on the market. Some definitely work better than others.

I would recommend the Glycolic Reset Mask from StriVectin. I have always had a good experience with StriVectin. Their innovate products are always clinically proven, and contain quality ingredients. They just flat out work as advertised.

What I like about StriVectin is the research involved in their products. When they come out with a “new” product, it’s actually new – not a re-labeled old formulation. 

StriVectin’s Glycol Reset Mask contains three different acids that make their formulation effective: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, and nicotonic acid (NIA-114).

Glycolic Acid – Often used in chemical peels, glycolic acid is the most effective of the alpha-hydroxyl acids (AHA). These are lighter strength acids; they are effective as a superficial exfoliator, used to even skin tone, treat light to mild scarring, treat acne, and to remove light blemishes. The reset mask uses micro-encapsulated glycolic acid to ensure slow release. 

Lactic Acid – Like glycolic acid, lactic acid is also light in strength. It is derived from sour milk. Lactic acid dissolves dead skin cells, which exfoliates and cleans your skin. Lactic acid has two properties which are especially useful in this application:

PH Levels – Lactic acid helps maintain an ideal PH factor for your skin. PH factor determines how moisture is absorbed by the skin. If you add moisturizer to your face, but don’t see any results, or if you skin is slow to absorb it, your skin PH levels are off. Lactic acid helps control how much of the product is absorbed, which also helps ensure the mild nature of a reset mask.

This also makes your skin more capable of utilizing the moisturizer you apply afterwards.

Sanitizing effects – Lactic acid is a registered anti-bacterial agent, and will help clean your skin of germs and toxins.

Nicotonic acid (NIA-114) – NIA-114 is StriVectin’s own patented molecule (Niacinamide) using nicotonic acid  – which means you won’t find it in products from other brands. Nicotonic acid is derived from Niacin. Nicotonic acid provides a handful of benefits to a reset mask.

Niacin is one of the essential human nutrients. In particular, your skin uses niacin to regenerate itself. The problem with adding Niacin to skin care products is that it is water soluble – which means it can’t penetrate into the skin. NIA-114 is different in that it has a fat soluble tail.

Which means…

NIA-114 is able to penetrate the skin, and deliver Niacin to the layers of the skin under the surface, where skin cells are regenerated. Niacin keeps your skin healthy and smooth by releasing leptin, which is a natural hormone that triggers healing. This feature of NIA-114 is what makes it capable of healing and treating issues like hyperpigmentation, or an uneven skin texture.

The combination of these three ingredients is what allows this mask to exfoliate, moisturize, and rejuvenate your skin simultaneously.

How to use it

How do you use a reset mask? Actually it couldn’t be simpler. It doesn’t harden like a mud or clay mask, so cleanup is simple. It’s not as aggressive as a chemical peel, or microdermabrasion, so it doesn’t require much in terms of pre or post care.

There are just four simple steps:

Step 1: Cleanse your skin. You don’t need anything too fancy here. A simple face wash will do. Then pat dry.

Step 2: Apply a generous layer of the mask to your face. Wait 5 minutes.

Step 3: Rinse the mask off with water.

Step 4: Add moisturizer.

That’s it. It couldn’t be any simpler right? This is something that you can easily incorporate into your weekly skin care routine.

How often should you use it?

The answer is really up to you, and somewhat depends on your skin type. You can safely use a reset mask 2-3 times per week – but you may only need to use it once per week. A little trial and error will show the best results for you.

One feature of a reset mask is that it doesn’t cause irritation, redness, etc. You will not feel a burning or stinging sensation when using this product – which means you don’t have to plan around it. You can use it whenever you feel like, without having to wait for symptoms to disappear.

Conclusion

Aside from young women with flawless skin, or those with deeply wrinkled or damaged skin, I can see a reset mask people benefiting most people and skin types. And it’s ease of use, and mild nature makes it accessible to anyone, at any time.

Given the positive reviews for the StriVectin reset mask, if you want to restore a natural shine and glow to your face, or just have a more healthy appearance of your skin, I think a reset mask is definitely a good option to consider.

Have you tried a reset mask lately? Could you please leave a comment below and share your experience with others?