Looking in the mirror to wake up is sometimes not very pleasant. The circles under the eyes, the dull complexion and the exhaustion in the eyes. However, by taking a few extra minutes in your morning routine to investigate, you can look fresh all day long. Try morning face masks to kick-start your skin and rid it of signs of sleep deprivation and fatigue.

Some people have gorgeous skin and look fresh even after a busy day. Other women, on the other hand, look like they haven’t slept in days and have had an illness to boot. I know it all too well. I am regularly plagued by poor sleep, sometimes eat unhealthy and often feel mild stress. All of these factors and many more affect how my skin looks in the morning, and often concealer or makeup won’t help to cover the effects. Luckily, though, I’ve found a rescue that keeps me from looking tired looking à la panda in the mirror.

I remember one morning. I woke up after four hours of sleep, and when I looked down at myself, I was horrified to think that neither a liter of coffee nor a ton of concealer could save this phenomenon. However, I told myself that if I couldn’t add minutes of sleep, I would make time for a short skin ritual. While I was getting ready to leave the house, I applied a scented mask to my face. Not only did the exotic scent transport me to the tropics in my mind, but after washing it off, it gave me confidence that the day wouldn’t be so bad. And my mood couldn’t be spoiled by the remnants of the mask, which I had neglected to wash at the roots of my hair and happily went out among the people in this state.

Face still, hands moving.

I’ve always been used to performing all my beauty rituals in the evening. Beauty rituals are supposed to be calm, pleasant and without time constraints. And it doesn’t go with hectic mornings. Or does it? You might be surprised, but I’ve found that applying a morning face mask can save my day. I don’t have to worry about looking like I’ve been cut out of a zombie apocalypse movie.

Morning face masks are made to respond to the hustle and bustle of everyday life. They only need ten minutes to be effective and show visible results. And the bonus? While they’re working, you can be making breakfast, getting things ready for work, or telling the kids off.

After waking up, the skin may look tired and dull. ━━ After waking up, the skin may look tired and dull. ( Source: Mladen Mitrinovic / Shutterstock )

Beautification in bed

Morning face masks differ from classic masks in one way. You don’t apply them on clean skin, but on unwashed skin. If you don’t feel like getting out of bed and doing your morning hygiene, you can apply the mask and start your routine a few minutes later. The first time I tried this trick, I was reluctant to apply the mask on unwashed skin. But surprise of wonders, the result exceeded my expectations. It’s not just false promises, my skin really does look hydrated, glowing and juicy. And if you’re bothered by circles or bags under your eyes like me, try also indulging in an eye mask in the form of eye pads that are infused with active ingredients.

There are a number of face masks packed with antioxidants and many nutrients that are just for morning use. However, I like to try homemade masks made from natural ingredients. I’m happy to share a few tips. My favourite combination is aloe vera gel and honey, which help to reduce puffiness and redness. I also combine honey with lemon juice to brighten my skin. If I need hydration, I opt for yogurt, honey and a ripe banana. Turmeric powder, yogurt and honey is also a great combination. I usually add a tablespoon of each ingredient and leave it on for a maximum of 15 minutes.

Tip: If you are sensitive to any of the ingredients, do a wrist test the day before to avoid irritating your skin.