Winter is a season of bait-and-switch, lulling us into a false sense of security with holiday tunes and roaring furnaces—all the while, something sinister is happening to our hard-earned complexions. Dry air zaps moisture from our skin, cold weather causes irritation, and the non-stop buffet of sweet treats causes congestion that’ll rival any major city’s rush hour. We’re left with a sugar hangover and dull, dry skin—it’s honestly so rude. But if 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that we’ve got nothing better to do than become semi-obsessive with our skincare routines. Cue up a cheesy holiday flick and whip out your fave winter face masks. Hydrating masks, soothing sheet masks, overnight masque treatments—nothing is coming between you and your Holidate with glowing skin!
To navigate thirsty skin szn, we tapped NYC-based esthetician and glow guru, Bryce Anthony to help us prepare. To start, Anthony sets us up with some winter skin 101: You do not have to overhaul your entire skincare cabinet. “Skincare routines don’t always have to be seasonal. If anything, winter is a good time to switch to a thicker moisturizer and maybe incorporate a facial oil for an extra boost of moisture,” explains Anthony. Keeping your skin regimen consistent can save you from side effects of over-exfoliation or a compromised skin barrier. In short: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Weekly face masks are an easy way to target a specific issue—like dehydration or inflammation—without the risk of stressing your skin. And while we’ve got your attention, Anthony adds that daily SPF is still a must and those amazingly long, hot showers can exacerbate dryness—we know, it hurts to hear. Now, onto the fun stuff! Keep scrolling for the winter skin face masks we’re stuffing our shelves (and stockings) with.
About the Expert:
We love a multitasker—and this mask nourishes, calms, firms, plumps, and refines all in one go. It’s packed with humectants (like glycerin), vitamin C, and anti-aging marine botanicals to take your winter skin from dull to dreamy in 10 minutes flat. With a texture that’s reminiscent of Jell-O, the unique “smart” gel formula settles into every nook and cranny to deliver hydration where you need it most—aka those pesky fine lines. The fast plumping effect makes this a great option for makeup prep or any time you need a hit of hydration.
Exfoliation is key to a clear complexion, but it can be tough on sensitive and acne-prone skin types—especially in winter, when sensitizing conditions are lurking around every corner like a petty ex. Thankfully, a soothing (yet effective) blend of zinc oxide, sulfur, and camphor pulls out dirt and debris without over-drying your skin. Plus, as Ipster @milanambiar points out, it can double as a fix for zits: “I use it every now and then to spot treat and it seems pretty effective!”
Too much eggnog and a nap-turned-full-night-sleep in makeup? Been there—and a clay-based mask will be your SOS. This bad boy contains a combo of bentonite and kaolin clays, both famous for their pore-clearing abilities, along with blue lotus seeds, ginger, and mushroom to clear out bacteria-causing dirt and refine texture. “The mask does an amazing job pulling out oils from my pores and the exfoliator built in helps to get rid of dead skin and leaves my skin looking fresh,” says Ipster @rachelarday. The result? Baby-soft skin that doesn’t feel uncomfy or tight so you can go back to resting easy.
Sometimes, we just don’t give a sheet and want a little kitsch. Luckily, these adorbs sheet masks from K-Beauty brand THE CRÉME SHOP have playful packaging *and* ultra-effective formulas. The collagen-rich Deer Diary plumps and hydrates your skin for a dewy glow, while A Snowman’s Story will deeply nourish your skin with jojoba oil. But don’t just take our word for it. Ipster @sternum_the_bone_gir says, “They weren't too wet and stayed on my face even when walking around and doing things. My skin looks and feels nice after use, and they come in cute packaging too :)”
Where do we even begin with how amazing this mask is? It’s richly textured, intensely nourishing, and also happens to be packed with the most antioxidant-dense fruit in the world: Maqui. It also boasts THD ascorbate, the lately clinically-proven form of stable vitamin C—a brightener that helps this mask live up to it’s “glow” namesake. Then, an epic team of hydrators (squalane, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, betaine...are you squealing yet!?) coax your skin into a calm, dewy dream.
We’re all about ease, which is exactly why we love this moisturizing mask that glides on. No mixing with water, no slathering on goopy textures, just a buttery smooth application from stick to face. The star of this mask is glycerin. “Hyaluronic acid gets all the praise right now but glycerin is just as good. [It’s] a humectant, which binds water into the skin. This also helps your other products to penetrate the skin more efficiently,” Anthony tells us. With help from aloe and hemp-derived cannabis seed oil (non-psychoactive and majorly anti-inflammatory) and non-drying kaolin clay (to gently clean pores), you’ve got yourself the perfect skincare gift for yourself—or others if you’re feeling generous.
“I just used this for the first time and it is AMAZING! My pores look smaller, skin is less red with an even tone, and it feels so soft!” Ipster @jlabee85 proudly reports. How does this mask get such glowing reviews? HEY HONEY employs a low concentration of alpha hydroxy acids to softly exfoliate dirt, oils, and impurities away. Then, using propolis—a resinous mixture made by honeybees—it helps heal damage and encourage cell turnover. No painful peel-off process here either (just be sure to avoid the hairline) or uncomfy tightness, just skin baby soft and nourished skin.
This cult-fave Korean skincare brand has created maybe the creamiest clay mask we’ve ever tried. Hydrating eggplant extract and calming calendula (aka chamomile) complement the kaolin clay base to lift excess oil without stripping your skin of its essential moisture. The super finely-milled walnut skins add a slight texture, so all those loosened dead skin cells get sloughed away. “Love the way my face feels after using this! Also love that you can exfoliate with it when rinsing it off,” writes Ipster @jennifer_mcbride.
In case we haven’t drilled it in enough, winter is about rest and relaxation—skincare included. FIRST AID BEAUTY creates products inspired by traditional pharmacy treatments, including this nurturing mask. Anti-inflammatory arnica, centella asiatica (or cica), and calendula flowers help to take your skin from stressed-out to totally zen in just 15 minutes. Ipster @tifneys vouches for the soothing nature: “Felt great and made my skin feel relieved after a tough week of wearing a mask.”
No spa trip necessary to feel like the VIP you are. This mask duo instantly perks up tired skin with a healthy glow, thanks to a luxurious dose of creamy moisture (in Creme De La Creme) and a serum infused with literal gemstones like diamonds, tourmaline, and emeralds in The Diamond Mask™. Um, NBD! There’s a reason our editors are constantly snatching these masks to take home—they’re that good. And Ipsters (like @lacreatedesigns) agree: “Luxury and without a doubt my top face mask ever!”
“The minute I put it on my skin drank it right in. There was no greasy film or residue. My skin felt so soft,” writes Ipster @tdusablon. This powerfully moisturizing mask penetrates the skin to deliver long-lasting moisture. It’s packed with superfoods with super hydrating abilities, like fatty acid-rich coconut, to help to restore your skin’s protective barrier—which helps keep acne-causing bacteria at bay. Because this mask is so gentle, it can be used two-to-three times a week and even doubles as an overnight mask.
While nobody is thrilled about acne showing up to the party, it’s best to deal with it head on and get it on its merry way out the door. One of the best remedies for this? Sulfur. High strength sulfur (we’re talkin’ 10 percent) dries excess sebum while its wingman niacinamide helps to gently fade redness and hyperpigmentation. Wear this mask as an all over acne fighter or as a spot treatment and you’ll be hooked for good. Ipster @elchumly echoes this sentiment, writing: “My absolute favorite mask! My skin felt amazing after, like I just got a full facial at a spa.”
A mask that soothes and moisturizes while we sleep...where do we sign up? This easy-as-it-gets mask contains aloe leaf extract to calm irritation and hyaluronic acid to give your skin the hydration it needs, so you can wake up feeling (and looking) refreshed. “This literally turned my life around. I’ve had a horrible issue with some dry and flaky skin. I use this 2-3 times a week and my flaky skin is pretty much GONE!” writes Ipster @maggiemedinathd.
Antioxidants are one of the most important sources of nutrients for healthy skin. They actively combat visible signs of aging, minimize environmental damage, calm, and revitalize dull skin. This (very cute) pink-hued mask gets its antioxidant kick from wild berry oil and honey, which also happens to smell like a dessert—making it a treat for your senses, too. Ipster @ohlsenbrittany agrees: “Goodness I love hey honey! Everything they come up with just seems so rich, creamy & great for the skin! This mask was just that & it brightened my complexion right up! Plus smells amazing 😍.”
Craving summer? This juicy watermelon mask will give your skin a temporary trip back in time, but long-lasting hydration for winter. Hydrating hyaluronic acid, watermelon extract, and gentle AHAs work together to clear, smooth, and plump skin while you dream of warmer temperatures. “This is [an] ultra hydrating night time moisturizer that you wash off in the morning. Smells great. My skin looks and feels amazing after washing it off,” raves Ipster @k4kwilson.
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