You could be forgiven for assuming facial masks all do the same thing, but actually, the situations in which different masks prove the most effective can vary quite dramatically.
It seems the most popular masks are the ones that absurd sebum and reduce oil, but for those of us who suffer from dry skin, these masks are often not beneficial at all or can even exacerbate the problem.
When it comes to the best face mask for sensitive skin, these are essentially a no go, but that doesnโt mean there arenโt a great range of options out there.
In this list, weโve put together our recommendations for the top 6 face masks for dry and sensitive skin. Before we get into our picks though, what exactly constitutes a good face mask for dry skin?
What Ingredients Should You Look For?
Some of the best face masks for dry skin include ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, green tea, vitamins (especially vitamin E), elastin, avocado, oatmeal, and natural essential oils such as jojoba and/or aloe.
The ingredients you absolutely need to avoid are anything that contains alcohol, parabens, or sulfates – as all of these things can be irritating for dry skin and make things worse.
Itโs also a good idea to go for a face mask thatโs hypoallergenic to avoid any other things from irritating your skin or causing inflammation.
The following facemasks are all rich in the ingredients that dry skin needs, and free of any that can make things worse, so by sticking to this list you have nothing to worry about.
Letโs jump right in:
1: Hydrating Facial Green Tea Mud Mask by Luminositie
Straight off the bat, we have this lovely green tea mud mask from Luminositie. The mask blends green tea, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid with a range of herbal ingredients such as aloe vera. Rooibos leaf, pomegranate seed extract and jojoba oil.
In our testing the mask left us feeling moisturized and soft, as opposed to the oil-free, shiny result you usually get after a mask.
It also feels and smells wonderfully natural and provides results after the first use.
Feedback is strong from people with both combination skin and dry skin – and the price is one of the lowest on the list. Combine that with strong results and this is an easy #1 choice for us.
2: Mediheal Collagen Impact Essential Mask
Unlike our #1 choice, this is a sheet mask from Korean brand Mediheal. Admittedly more expensive than Luminositieโs offering and containing many of the same ingredients, Medihealโs mask wins a spot here regardless thanks to the addition of hydrolyzed collagen and the fact they are some of the best sheet masks around – they will stay moist for a while and leaving you feeling moisturized for a long time afterwards, too.
It also comes with 10 sheet masks, making up for the one-use nature of sheet masks as much as possible.
These sheet masks are iconic in Korea, and while we experienced better results with Luminositieโs clay mask – this is difficult to beat if you are looking for sheet masks specifically.
3: ELEMIS Peptide4 Plumping Pillow Facial
This sleep mask is the most expensive on our list and only suitable for those willing to push the boat out a bit, but if you have the extra cash and are looking for a particularly decadent treatment, this is the one to go for.
It is packed with unique botanical ingredients including Indian night jasmine, honey and bergamot, and is popular with skincare influencers.
Unlike most masks, this is meant to be applied and then left on all night – in our tests this worked great and we often woke up with skin that was almost unrecognizable from the day before.
The #1 and #2 masks listed above can achieve the same results in a day or two if you are looking to be a bit more economical, but sometimes a luxurious touch is needed.
4: La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Intense Hyaluronic Acid Face Mask
This hyaluronic acid-based mask is very soothing and is a great option for those with irritation or inflamed skin on their faces.
It can be used constantly meaning itโs also amazing for those who suffer from chronic dry skin and changes are visible within 3-4 days.
Itโs also a popular brand and one of the most mainstream options on this list – which could be a pro or a con depending on your own opinions. La Rochay-Posey also uses thermal spring water which they claim soaks more deeply into the skin than regular moisture. Perhaps a bold claim that we were unable to confirm, but the results are certainly extremely noticeable.
5: OZ Naturals Vitamin C & Sea Hydration Mask
OZ Naturals brings a smooth, creamy mask enriched by sea kelp and spirulina, with hyaluronic acid as the primary active ingredient.
We found it took quite a lot to get good results and the bottle is quite small which was a bit frustrating, but in terms of results it leaves skin feeling moist and soft within a single use and comes highly recommended by customers and dermatologists alike.
We even managed to get consistent results by using it only once a week, so you can make it go further and still experience less dry, flakey skin in the long term.
6: Scentbird Crystal Masks
Scentbird is a subscription service that delivers fragrance and beauty products to 300,000 people every month. We are really excited about theirย โHealing Crystal/ Gemstone” Collection. The facial mask product line forย Scentbird is one of the only ones in the industry that are using these unique crystals for soothing skin care and renewal.ย
We absolutely love these delicious-smelling masks! From nourishing and cooling to divine peel-off masks, you will love these crystal masks too. For just $14.95, you can curate your very own monthly deliveries, choosing from 850 of the top names in beauty with 1,000 different items at your fingertips.
