Winter means cold air, the heat cranked up in every room, and seriously dry skin. One of the best ways to treat your skin (and yourself) is with a luxurious, hydrating face mask.
Because face masks deliver a dose of active, nourishing ingredients directly to the skin for a set period of time, it’s a super powerful skincare quick fix. Whether your skin is looking a little dull lately, is prone to oil and acne, or is under extra stress, there’s a sheet mask, sleeping mask, or cream mask designed specifically with you in mind.
Read on for the 10 best hydrating face masks for every skin type so you can get hydrating ASAP–and even better, these picks are all based on reviews from past Glam Bags, so you know they're good.
There’s nothing more frustrating than dull skin that just won’t seem to lighten up. Lack of sleep, dehydration, and stress can all leave our skin looking (and feeling) a little lifeless. That’s where the GLOW RECIPE Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask comes in. Made with amino-rich watermelon extract and moisturizing hyaluronic acid, this overnight mask smells just as heavenly as it'll make your skin feel. Apply it before you sleep and wake up with visibly brighter, more radiant complexion. Don't just take our word for it: Ipsters loved it, too, with one Ipster writing "If I could give this more than 5 stars, I would. It is incredible," and another writing "Best thing I have EVER put on my face. Will be buying the whole line now."
Using moisturizer in your daily skincare routine is the first step to healing dry skin. But when you hit a gust of cold, winter wind one day and need an immediate solution, this FARMACY Hydrating Coconut Gel Sheet Mask can help. Coconut water is one of the best natural ingredients for hydration. Combine that with hyaluronic acid (helps skin retain moisture and look firmer) and soothing cucumber extract, and you’ve got yourself a one-stop shop hydration station. Ipsters like @karenthephotographer loved how moisturizing this mask was, writing "My skin felt hydrated and fresh after using" and another Ipster writing "My absolute favourite sheet mask."
We love sheet masks and can talk about their benefits until the cows come home, but sometimes nothing can replace a good traditional cream mask, like this one from AHAVA. For severely dry skin, this mask can be used for an easy three minute treatment mask or as an overnight sleeping mask, too. The exfoliating dead sea mud naturally draws out impurities from your pores so that they can better absorb the moisturizing, vitamin-rich botanicals that make up this unique formula. Ipster @Alvrz831 wrote this overnight mask is "Really hydrating makes your skin so soft and plump," while another Ipster wrote "This super thick, extra hydrating mask is amazing! Smells really good, and it's great because you can put a little on and sleep in it. And in the morning, just wake-up, and rise your face."
Oily skin and acne-prone skin types need moisture just as much as dry skin types. Keeping your skin moisturized helps regulates sebum (natural oil) production that can lead to blemishes and breakouts. The key is finding hydrating products designed for oily skin and acne-prone folks, like this deep-cleansing, olive oil face mask from APHRODITE SKIN CARE. Olive oil is not only nourishing (thanks to skincare saviors, Vitamin A and Vitamin E) but it’s also a natural antibacterial, which helps keep pimples and blackheads at bay. That combined with witch hazel, a natural anti-inflammatory ingredient, and acne-prone skin will have never felt more at ease. Ipster @popayr wrote "love how this smells and makes my skin feels after!"
The best face masks provide the most relaxing feelings of calm. This JEJU:EN Aloe gel sleeping mask from a trusted name in Korean skin care is a shining example of this. The consistency of this gel mask naturally feels cooling (no refrigeration needed), which relieves pressure and stress from the face area. Apply it before bed and let the aloe leaf extract and water sourced from the Korean Jeju island work together to soothe, hydrate, and relax your skin. As Ipster @AnnaM74 wrote, "Sleep masks are everything & this one preformed[sic] well." Other Ipsters commented on how lightweight the mask was, with one writing: "I'm so used to sleeping masks feeling like a layer on your skin, this one feels like it meshes with your skin! I love it and my skin feels extra hydrated in the morning."
We could all benefit from some anti-aging action, regardless of age or skin type. But if you’re not quite ready to incorporate an anti-aging cream into your daily skin care routine (or even if you already do), this ESSENHERB honey sheet mask is a pretty sweet deal. From another great Korean beauty brand, this moisturizing mask has anti-inflammatory and detoxifying tea tree oil (also great for acne) combined with intensely hydrating Canola Honey (which helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles). Let it sit for 10-20 minutes and peel away to reveal dewy, more youthful looking skin. Even better, Ipsters with sensitive skin like @breezylyn could enjoy the moisturizing effects, writing "Loved these masks. No bad reaction on my sensitive skin."
If you have sensitive skin, odds are you’ve never tried a sheet mask or gel mask before, so as not to risk any irritation or dryness. But we have good news. This MIDFLOWER Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Mask is simple, lightweight, and infused with skin-boosting herbs. The silky-soft sheet mask itself is made from 100% biodegradable lyocell, an environmentally friendly cellulose fiber that’s gentle on skin. The hefty dose of hyaluronic acid will nourish skin and help it retain moisture more effectively, so you can get moisturized and stay that way. One Ipster wrote they were "Very satisfied with this face mask," while another wrote "My face felt so moisturized after using this mask. Skin looked plumper too."
Name a softer combination than avocado and shea butter… we’ll wait. This THE SAEM sheet mask set infuses skin with an abundance of moisture, all from 100% naturally-derived ingredients like avocado, shea butter, ginger root extract, licorice root extract, and more. Lay it on your face, sit back and relax for 15-20 minutes, and then remove it to reveal newly softened, refreshed skin.
One of our favorite fixes for tired, stressed out skin is surprising it with something totally new (and nourishing). LAB FOR YOU Tomato and Pumpkin Sheet Mask Set sounds remarkably similar to soup but it is - in fact - designed to hydrate, brighten, and repair skin that’s been worn out from daily environmental factors and stresses. Tomatoes are packed with lycopene, a powerful antioxidant for the skin, and pumpkin is full of healthy enzymes to encourage skin cell turnover. One Ipster wrote these masks "Refreshed and smoothed my skin. My skin felt so clean and new."
If you’re sitting with a mask on your face for 15-20 minutes, it might as well smell nice, right? That’s why HEY HONEY Sweet Treat Wild Berry & Honey Yogurt Recovery Mask makes the number 10 spot on our list. It smells like impossibly fresh berries and sweet honey–which also happen to be two of the best antioxidant-boosting and moisturizing ingredients for skin. Give your face (and your senses) a little pick me up with this aromatic, vegan, and cruelty-free hydrating mask, which, as one Ipster wrote, is "So creamy and luxurious, I wasn't sure if I should wear it or eat it!"
Want in on all the Glam Bag fun? Take the beauty quiz now to get started. And don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and Twitter @IPSY.