Weekend self-care often includes a face mask, but grabbing the wrong type can leave your skin tight or greasy. Clay masks and hydrating masks serve very different purposes.
Clay masks are best friends for oily or combination skin. They help absorb excess oil, clear out some surface impurities, and make pores look cleaner for a while. Used once or twice a week, they can reduce that heavy, shiny feeling, especially around the T-zone.
Hydrating masks, on the other hand, are like a big drink of water for your face. They often contain humectants and soothing ingredients that calm dryness, irritation, or tightness. These suit dry, sensitive, or over-exfoliated skin that needs comfort more than deep cleaning.
The mistake many people make is using strong clay masks too often, or applying them all over when only the nose and forehead are oily. This can strip the cheeks and barrier, causing redness and even more oil as the skin tries to compensate.
You can “multi-mask” too: clay on oily zones, hydrating on dry areas at the same time. Listen to your skin instead of blindly following trends. The goal is to finish your mask session feeling balanced, not punished.