March 6, 2020

The latest Korean beauty trend to infiltrate Western beauty routines? The “coating method” or layering multiple facial masks on top of each other, for the ultimate skincare beauty booster.

“Face masks may often shoulder the burden of living up to self-care’s lofty expectations, but if the Sunday Scaries are no match for a bubble bath and sheet mask, perhaps you just need more masks,” explains Allure. “Enter the “coating method,” a new-ish K-beauty facial technique that’s like a twist on multi-masking, where you strategically layer up to three differently textured masks, one on top of the other, to benefit from their combined efforts.”

With the current focus on “skincare as self care,” experts predict the facial mask coating technique will become more popular than ever as consumers seek out more ways to relax, unwind, and improve their skin simultaneously.

The coating technique has roots in multi-masking, or the practice of using more than one face mask at once. When multi-masking, users apply different face masks to different areas of the face, to target specific issues. For example, an acne-focused mask on the T-zone, an anti-aging mask under the eyes, a moisturizing mask on dry patches of skin, etc.  

The coating technique flips the idea of multi-masking on its head, and instead advises devotees to apply multiple face masks, on top of each other.

“Instead of multi-masking’s paint-by-numbers approach of applying different masks to different areas of the face, the coating method calls for applying chosen masks directly on top of one another like you’re frosting a tri-layered cake,” explains Sable Yong.

The idea behind the coating technique is that by layering on multiple facial masks, each layer will compound the benefits of the mask underneath. Another way to think of skincare method? The layering technique of coating can create the most super-charged, high-powered face mask experience ever.

Currently, skincare specialists recommend the following application process for coating facial masks:

• Step # 1 – Use an exfoliating mask to remove dead skin and prep the face for maximum product absorption. 
• Step # 2 – Wash off the exfoliating mask.
• Step # 3 – Apply a claims-targeting mask (i.e. acne, anti-aging, brightening, etc.) or a moisturizing mask.
• Step # 4 – End the coating process with a rubber style facial mask, to help seal in the mask layers underneath.

Glycolic acid facial masks

For the first step of the coating technique, the exfoliating mask, there is simply no better choice than a glycolic acid based facial mask. 

Once applied to the face, glycolic acid works quickly to dissolve the bonds holding damaged, old, or dry skin cells together on the face. Glycolic acid peels these dead skin cells off the face, and helps reveal the fresher, healthier skin underneath. This exfoliation ensures subsequent masks will be fully absorbed into the skin.

Additionally, glycolic acid masks offer up another key benefit for “coaters.” Glycolic acid is highly efficacious at driving healthy skin cells to the surface of the skin. Newer skin cells are more able to absorb beneficial products (i.e. moisturizing facial masks), and thus more likely to deliver the glowing, glass-skin results coating technique consumers want to see.

The future of facial masks

As consumers continue to clamor for more facial masks, the layering approach of the coating method will move out of spas and into the home.

For formulators, the new trend of face mask coating offers exponential opportunities to create even more innovative face masks that can exfoliate, moisturize, or seal in beneficial active ingredients. 

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