Thursday, April 9, 2020
If you thought hydrating face masks were all rich, claggy creams that suffocate your skin and bring on breakouts, think again. No longer solely reserved for chronically dry skin types, today's best moisture-boosters come in an array of textures, utilising advanced ingredients to give you that dewy baby-skin glow without overloading your complexion. Even acne-prone skin types will love them.
Combining instant gratification with longer-term results, these clever gels, lotions and serum-soaked sheets will help you boost hydration in no time, keeping your skin barrier happy and bringing that pre-lockdown radiance back for good.
If you’re after something that ranks high in the self-care stakes, a hydrating sheet mask is a perfect pick – simply slap one on before settling into a Netflix marathon. For cumulative results, book in some weekly face-time with a cream or gel-textured mask. Many of them can even be kept on overnight for maximum results.
Below, discover the masks we’ll be slathering on every weekend for the foreseeable future.
1. Hydraphase Intense Masque
This one is perfection as a pre make-up mask, as it leaves skin so smooth and supple. Formulated for dehydrated and sensitive complexions, the fragrance-free cream is boosted with hyaluronic acid and the brand's signature thermal spring water. It's essentially a cold glass of water for your face.
2. Oxygen-Glow Mask
Oxygen Glow is the first line from Filorga – possibly France’s favourite skincare brand – that caters for the selfie generation. The latest addition to the collection is a creamy, pearlescent-pink mask that is designed with instant gratification in mind. Mild exfoliating acids work to dissolve any dead skin cells, while the signature NCEF complex (rich in hyaluronic acid, vitamins and minerals) ensures skin is glowing in no time. (Ok, fine, in ten minutes.)
3. Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Mask
Proving that hydrating masks don't have to be thick and sticky, Peter Thomas Roth's cooling gel feels as light as water on skin. Formulated with cucumber and aloe vera, it'll heal as well as it hydrates – ideal for skin that's feeling irritated or inflamed.
4.Bioderma Sensibio Mask
Writer Maxine Builder was also in France last month, but turned to French skin care instead to soothe her acne-prone skin while she was traveling. She says that ‘sleeping masks often leave my skin greasy, albeit moisturized,’ but after using this Sensibio Mask from Bioderma, she was ‘genuinely surprised by the practically instant results. My acne-marked skin was noticeably calmer and less inflamed, and my cheeks even seemed plumper, more hydrated than before.’
5. Merbliss Wedding Dress Intense Hydration Day Mask (5 Pack)
For brighter, more hydrated skin, Rio also recommends these sheet masks that were created for brides to use on their wedding day for some added glow. ‘It’s superrich, hydrating, and leaves your skin looking illuminated.’
6. Erborian Pate au Ginseng Black Concentrated Mask
Korean-beauty blogger Sophie of MapleTreeBlog suggests this concentrated ginseng mask, too, if you want something moisturizing and brightening. ‘It honestly makes my skin glow and also adds a nice, soft plumpness to my skin. It’s perfect for winter, when my skin gets dull.’
7. Papa Recipe Rose Gold Honey Masks
And should you actually want a sheet mask that you might be comfortable falling asleep in? Korean-beauty blogger Tracy E. Robey says of these Papa Recipe Masks: ‘The hydrating, fairly thin essence smells like honey and slowly sinks in to plump up fine lines, takes care of dry flakes, and gives a glow. I have normal-to-oily skin that doesn’t require much masking, and I hate the feeling of a lot of masks, but I can leave Papa Recipe sheet masks on for 45 minutes and even fall asleep while wearing them because they’re so cozy.’
8. F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial
Drunk Elephant's latest launch is classified as an 'overnight mask', which means it's essentially a supercharged alternative to your regular night cream.
Apply it as the last step in your evening skincare routine, letting the barrier-boosting blend of fatty acids and ceramides bring parched skin back to its dewy former self. (It works perfectly over the brand's legendary Virgin Marula Oil, too.)