Wash your face, apply toner, and condition your skin with serum or emulsion.
When you try to incorporate a face mask into your usual skincare routine, do you ever wonder, “What order should I use this in?”
Some instructions say to use it before toner, while others say to use it after toner.
You might even find that the more you research, the more conflicting the information becomes, leaving you more confused than before.
In fact, the position of a face mask in your routine depends on its type.
As a general guideline, standard sheet masks are used after washing your face or after toner, wash-off masks are used early on after washing your face, and sleeping masks are used at the very end of your nighttime skincare routine.
However, even within the same type, the order can vary by product. If the usage order is written on the packaging or the manufacturer’s official website, prioritize that.
In this article, we will organize the basic order of skincare, how to use different types of masks, moisturizing after masking, and how to distinguish between morning and evening use.
Where should you fit the mask you are currently using? Let’s check together.
Where does a mask go after washing your face? The basic order
The position of a mask in your post-cleansing skincare routine is determined by the role that specific product plays.
The order of use differs for products that replenish moisture like sheet masks, products that are washed off, and products that moisturize the skin at the end.
First, let’s confirm the flow of your usual skincare routine and think about how to add the mask to it.
Basic flow: From face wash to emulsion
When not using a mask, the general order of skincare is as follows:
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Cleansing
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Face wash
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Toner
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Serum
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Emulsion
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Cream
Cleansing is primarily used to remove makeup and oil-based impurities, while face washing is used to wash away skin dirt and excess sebum.
However, whether both cleansing and face washing are necessary depends on the products used and the state of your makeup.
After washing your face, hydrate your skin with lotion, then add targeted care with a serum.
Then, the process continues by locking in moisture with emulsion or cream.
Shiseido’s official guide also introduces the basic order of hydrating with lotion followed by moisturizing with emulsion.
Shiseido Official Website
If you are not using a serum or cream, you can skip those steps.
Also, some products, such as booster serums, are designed to be used immediately after washing your face.
Consider the basic flow as a guideline, and in practice, follow the usage instructions for the products you have on hand.
Guidelines for where to place a face mask
When using a sheet mask, the following order is one guideline.
Face wash → Lotion → Sheet mask → Serum → Emulsion/Cream
Shiseido also recommends that many sheet masks be used after lotion.
Shiseido Official Website
On the other hand, there are also types of sheet masks that are used as a substitute for lotion.
In that case, the flow is to use the mask after washing your face, and then proceed to the necessary moisturizing care.
In other words, it is not always the case that a sheet mask must come after lotion.
The position depends on the role of the serum contained in the mask and how the manufacturer intends it to be used.
It is easiest to start by referring to the general order and then adjusting it according to the instructions for the specific mask you have.
How to think about it when the product specifies an order
If the order you found on the internet differs from the order written on the mask packaging, prioritize the product’s usage instructions.
There are mainly three places to check:
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The “How to Use” section on the back of the package
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The outer box or the included instruction manual
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The product description on the manufacturer’s official website
You should especially look for phrases like “after washing your face,” “after toner,” or “at the end of your skincare routine.”
At the same time, check the usage time, whether it needs to be rinsed off, and the recommended frequency of use.
Even for the same type of sheet mask, the order will differ between those that replace toner and those used after toner.
Even if general information differs from the product instructions, it does not necessarily mean that one of them is wrong.
Order by mask type: Sheet, Rinse-off, and Sleeping masks
The basic position for each type of mask can be summarized as follows:
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Sheet mask: Use after washing your face, after toner, etc.
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Rinse-off mask: Use early after washing your face, then rinse off before moisturizing
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Sleeping mask: Use at the end of your nighttime skincare routine
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Targeted mask: Use according to your purpose and the product’s specifications
However, there are exceptions, such as rinse-off types that are used after toner.
After confirming the type, be sure to compare it with the actual usage instructions.
For sheet masks
Sheet masks are a type that consists of a face-shaped sheet soaked in toner, serum, or other ingredients.
Generally, they are used on clean skin after washing your face.
If the product specifies that it should be used after toner, the sequence is as follows:
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Wash your face to clean your skin
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Prepare your skin with toner
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Apply the sheet mask to your face
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Remove it after the time specified on the product
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Use serum, lotion, or cream as needed
Leaving a sheet mask on for a long time does not necessarily increase its moisturizing effect.
Do not keep it on longer than the recommended time; follow the product instructions.
Also, if the instructions say to blend the remaining liquid into your skin after removing the mask, follow that method.
You should also be mindful to handle your skin gently without rubbing it.
For wash-off or peel-off masks
Wash-off masks are a type that you apply to your skin, leave on for a certain amount of time, and then rinse off.
For clay masks and similar products, the recommended routine is to use them after washing your face, then rinse off and follow with toner or lotion to condition your skin.
For example, Kiehl’s clay masks suggest using them after washing your face, rinsing off, and then applying toner or lotion.
Cleansing Mask – Kiehl’s Official Online Store
On the other hand, some moisturizing wash-off masks from the same manufacturer are meant to be used after washing your face and prepping with toner.
Kiehl’s
Therefore, you should not place all rinse-off masks before your toner; you need to check the product instructions.
Also, peel-off masks are the type that you peel off after they have dried.
Since the removal method is different from rinse-off types, be careful not to confuse the usage time or the peeling method.
If you are concerned about skin irritation, it is important not to force the mask off or rub your skin.
For sleeping masks and cream masks
Sleeping masks are typically used at the very end of your nighttime skincare routine.
One way to use them is to apply them after prepping your skin with toner, emulsion, etc., and then go to sleep with the product on.
The Avene sleeping mask featured on the Shiseido Online Store also provides instructions to use it at the end of your evening routine and go to sleep without rinsing it off after application.
Shiseido Official Website
However, not all cream-type masks are meant for sleeping.
Some cream masks are meant to be left on for a certain amount of time and then rinsed off.
Therefore, do not judge based on the texture alone; check for labels such as “rinse off,” “do not rinse off,” or “wash off the next morning.”
Also, even when using a sleeping mask, whether or not you should use a separate emulsion or cream depends on the product.
If your skin feels heavy when layering products, you can review your combination of moisturizing items while checking the product’s usage instructions.
For targeted masks
Targeted masks are the type used on specific areas of concern, such as around the eyes, mouth, or cheeks.
Unlike sheet masks that cover the entire face, they can be applied only to the areas where they are needed.
For example, one method is to use an eye mask after applying toner, and then finish with emulsion or cream.
However, there are different types of targeted masks, and the position in your routine depends on the product.
If you want to use a full-face mask in combination with others, be sure to check the usage instructions for both.
Layering multiple masks on the same area can sometimes feel burdensome to the skin.
Instead of combining several from the start, you can also try testing how each one feels individually.
Do you need toner or emulsion after a mask? How to choose the steps to follow
What you apply after using a mask depends on the type of mask and the product’s usage instructions.
For sheet masks, it is common to follow up with emulsion or cream to lock in moisture after removing the mask.
However, whether you need to use toner separately or if emulsion is necessary is not the same for every product.
Can you skip toner if you use a mask?
To determine if you can skip toner when using a mask, it is important to check if the product is designed to serve as a toner replacement.
Shiseido’s official guide recommends using most sheet masks after toner, while noting that types intended to be used as toner are an exception.
Shiseido Official Website
In other words, if it is a type that replaces toner, you have the option of using the mask after washing your face.
On the other hand, if it is specified to be used after toner, do not skip the toner and use it in that order.
When deciding, check the “How to use” and “When to use” sections on the packaging.
The feel of your skin can also be a reference, but just because it feels moist does not necessarily mean you can skip toner.
Reasons to use cream or emulsion after a mask
After removing a sheet mask, one method is to finish your moisturizing routine with emulsion or cream.
The concept is to hydrate the skin with lotion or serum, then replenish oils with emulsion or cream to lock in that moisture.
Shiseido also explains that using emulsion after hydrating with lotion plays a role in maintaining moisture.
Shiseido Official Website
However, depending on the mask, there are some that do not require layering other items afterward.
Therefore, it is not always necessary to use both emulsion and cream after removing a mask.
Check the product instructions and choose according to how your skin feels and the level of dryness.
How to reduce products when you have too many and your skin feels heavy
Even if you are doing your skincare carefully, some people may feel their skin is heavy after using a mask.
When layering lotion, serum, mask, emulsion, and cream, you may feel like you are using too many products.
In such cases, you can try the following adjustments:
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Check if the roles of your serum and mask overlap
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See if the amount of emulsion or cream you use matches the product’s recommended amount
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Adjust the frequency of mask use
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Compare how your skin feels on days you use a mask versus days you do not
However, there is no need to drastically reduce the amount specified by the product.
First, start by thinking about what you want to replenish with your current care and choose the necessary items.
Should you change how you use masks in the morning and at night? How to decide on frequency and timing
You do not necessarily have to change how you use masks between morning and night.
There are sheet masks that can be used in the morning, as well as sleeping masks intended for nighttime use.
The important thing is to check the recommended usage time and frequency for the product and choose a method that is easy to incorporate into your daily life.
Order and precautions when using a face mask in the morning
If you use a sheet mask in the morning, incorporate it into your skincare routine after washing your face, and then proceed to sunscreen and makeup.
For example, if you are using a sheet mask that is applied after toner, the flow is as follows:
Face wash → Toner → Sheet mask → Emulsion → Sunscreen → Makeup
If you use serums or makeup primers, add those steps according to the product instructions.
Since you may not have much time in the morning, checking the usage time of the mask will make it easier to plan your schedule.
Also, if the surface of your skin is wet immediately after removing the mask, let the remaining liquid absorb according to the product instructions, and proceed to the next step once your skin has settled.
Morning masks can be used to prepare your skin before applying makeup.
However, just because you used a mask does not mean you can skip sunscreen.
Order when using a face mask at night
At night, incorporate the mask after removing makeup and impurities.
For a sheet mask, you might use it after washing your face and applying toner, then finish with the necessary moisturizing care.
For a wash-off mask, use it at the stage specified by the product, and continue with moisturizing care after rinsing it off.
For a sleeping mask, the typical method is to use it as the final step of your nighttime routine.
Some people may find it easier to set aside time at night.
However, just because you have time does not mean you need to use the mask for longer than the specified time.
Choose a method that you can continue comfortably while adhering to the product’s usage time.
Whether to use it daily or as a special treatment
Whether or not to use a mask every day should be based on the product’s recommended usage frequency.
Even in Shiseido’s official explanation, it is stated that while some sheet masks can be used daily depending on the product, it is not necessary to use every product every day.
Shiseido Official Website
Some wash-off masks and sleeping masks also have specified usage frequencies.
First, check the usage instructions on the packaging.
Then, decide which days to use them based on your skin condition and your daily schedule.
For example, if you don’t want to spend time on morning preparations, you can incorporate them into your nighttime routine.
If increasing your daily care routine feels burdensome, another approach is to decide on specific days to use them within the frequency range permitted by the product.
The goal of using a mask is not just to increase the number of times you use it.
It is also important to incorporate it in a way that is easy for you to maintain.
Summary: How to verify conflicting information and how to decide the order starting today
When incorporating a mask into your skincare routine, first check the type of mask.
Sheet masks are typically used after washing your face or after applying toner, while wash-off masks are typically used early on after washing your face, and sleeping masks are used at the very end of your nighttime routine.
However, even within the same type, usage varies by product.
When information conflicts, try checking in this order: the usage instructions on the packaging, the manufacturer’s official website, and how your own skin feels.
When using a new mask, one approach is to incorporate it while observing your skin’s reaction, rather than changing all your other items at once.
If you experience redness, itching, or irritation, discontinue use, and if symptoms are severe or persist, consult a dermatologist.
Start by checking the usage instructions for the mask you have tonight and decide where to fit it in after washing your face.
Rather than constantly searching for the perfect order, checking the instructions for the product you are using is the first step toward reducing confusion.
