The Best Hydrating Face Masks

I’m not sure what the weather is like where you live, but I woke up this morning to a crisp, 50 degree morning. And let me tell you, my season has begun. Summer was great, but something in me comes alive in fall. Not in the super basic way — there’s just something about a cool, gray morning. But I digress. My skin is dry year round, but once fall temperatures hit, it gets even drier. So today we are talking about my favorite hydrating face masks that help me add a little hydrating back into my skin.

Summer Fridays Jet Lag*

If you want a super intense, hydrating mask, this is it. I love the Jet Lag mask* when my skin is ultra parched and in serious need of moisture. After all, it’s inception came from the dryness the founder’s skin felt after flights. A heavy combination of ceramides, vitamins, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory ingredients help this mask combat puffy, inflamed, and over-worked skin. While I use it as an overnight masks exclusively, it can be multi-functional.

I apply this as a last step in my evening skincare routine on my face and neck. When I wake up in the morning, my skin looks so bright and plump and feels hydrated and soft.

As a 10-minute mask, apply to clean, dry skin and leave on for 10 minutes. Wipe off with a warm cloth or a tissue — there is no need to wash it off.

And you can also use it as a daily moisturizer or primer for the driest of dry skin. Though I can’t speak to that.

*the hydrating face mask currently on my vanity

Fresh Rose Mask*

I love the Fresh Rose line. It’s gentle and simple yet effective. The mask is very lightweight but gives your skin instantaneous hydration. The consistency is silky and gelatinous and has rose petals suspended throughout.

Some standout ingredients: pure rosewater soothes and tones. Cucumber extract and aloe vera gel helps soothe the skin and have an immediate calming and cooling effect. And Porphyridium cruentum is a “smart” algae that delivers optimum moisture.

Something I hear people complain about in reference to this line is complaints about not being keen on a rose scent. And if that is you, you don’t like rose scents, I think you’ll get on fine with this. I think it smells like cucumbers.

Farmacy Honey Potion Renewing Antioxidant Hydration Mask*

I enjoy Farmacy as a brand. It’s one of those farm to skin brands that combines local farms (in upstate NY) with skincare and science to deliver quality and effective ingredients. My favorite product from the brand is their honey mask.

The formula starts out goopy and thick, like the honey it resembles. But once you start to work it into the skin, it turns into a thick cream that resembles a moisturizer, and it also becomes less sticky. The kicker is that the more it’s worked into the skin, the warmer and more tingly it becomes. But in the best way. Leave it on for 15 minutes and wash off.

Unlike the Rose Mask from Fresh, this isn’t one that will necessarily give you instant results. I do think upon washing it off, you’re skin feels smooth and soft. But other than that there isn’t a huge response immediately. However, the magic happens overnight. And I find my skin looks amazingly hydrated and plump.

I’m From Mugwort Mask*

This is a brand I’m not totally familiar with. I’ve used this mask as well as the honey mask* (which is also good for hydrating.) I wanted to include the Mugwort Mask* on this list as a good option for those with more combo-oily skin. While this still works on my dry skin, it’s a little more lightweight as a gel and more in the realm of a soothing and calming mask. However, with soothing comes hydration.

It’s a typical, wash off mask. You apply it, you wash it off. But the star player is that mugwort ingredient. This particular mask is formulated with ground mugwort from Ganghwa Island. In Korean cultures, mugwort is renowned as a healing herb due to it’s antibacterial, anti-fungal, and skin protective properties. In skincare, it’s popular because it can be soothing to sensitive skin and for acne-prone skin, as well as treating skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. So as hydrating face masks go, this would be a really good option if you have oilier or acne-prone skin.

Korres Hydro-Biome Yoghurt Mask*

This is one of those trendy Priobiotic skincare items. I don’t know how much impact probiotics and prebiotics have in skincare, but I am intrigued. I want to do an Ingredient Spotlight on them in the future. But I do know I enjoy this mask for it’s hydrating benefits.

This Korres mask is formulated with Greek yoghurt to deliver hydration, soothe redness, and support the balancing of the skin. It also is formulated with lactic acid, a natural AHA that will help dissolve dead skin cells and leave behind a natural glow. The namesake technology is the Microbiome Re-Balancing Technology, which is a cutting age technology that’s “clincally proven to balance your skin’s invisible microbiome to protect and relive signs of stressed skin” (SEPHORA’s website.)

Like I said, I’m not fully convinced on the efficacy of probiotics in skincare quite yet. I just don’t know that much about it. But I do know my skin feel soft and smooth and moisturized after using this mask.

Fresh Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask*

There are two overnight masks I’ve been loving lately. The first is the Black Tea Firming Mask from Fresh*. A combination of kombucha, black tea extract, blackberry leaf extract, and lychee seed extract work to inhibit free radicals and helps improve the appearance of skin’s elasticity. It is also formulated with belle de nuit extract, peptides, and hyaluronic acid to smoothe the skin and maintain moisture.

I will apply this at the end of my skincare routine, and when I wake up in the morning, my skin feels hydrated and looks healthy and plump.

Laneige Hypoallergenic Cica Sleeping Mask*

The second sleeping mask I’ve been reaching for is the Cica Sleeping Mask from Laneige*. I’ve used the Water Sleeping Mask in the past and liked it, but I definitely like this one better. And the reason for that is that I really find this one helps with any redness issues I’m having in my skin.

Neutrogena Hydro-Boost Hydrating Face Mask*

I’ve spoken about sheet masks and how I’m phasing them out, but there are a handful I still do enjoy and pick up from time to time. And these will be short descriptions, because I largely like them for the same reasons.

The Neutrogena Hydro-Boost Hydrating Face Mask is a hydro-gel mask — one of those ones that feel gel-ly to the touch and don’t slip on the face. Those are my favorite kinds. I find it stays on the skin and also adds a serious dose of hydration to the skin.

I like using this pre-makeup application to help with a hydrated and bright base for makeup.

Masqueology Watermelon Moisturizing Glow Mask*

I find myself using this frequently during the summer, because it’s so soothing and hydrating, making it perfect for after sun care. However, I usually have this on hand. I keep it in my fridge, and I pull it back out any time my skin is feeling a little irritated and dry. Again, after using this, my skin feels plump and looks bright and healthy.

Julep Triple Quench Deep Hydration Sheet Mask*

This is another hydro-gel mask that is good for hydration and brightening. However, this one is a little more intense. It’s a 3-step mask.

• Step One: the Essence Ampule Gel
  After cleansing, you’ll apply this essence all over the skin. It’s lightweight and the goal is to add moisture for the hyaluronic acid to pull into your skin once you put the mask on.
  
  
• Step Two: the Sheet Mask
  Remove the white protective mesh from the mask (on both sides.) Leave on for 15 minutes, remove, and pat in the excess serum. I usually spread it onto my neck and chest as well.
  
  
• Step Three: the Sleeping Pack
  To lock in everything you’ve just added to your skin, apply the sleeping pack moisturizer all over the face. It’s lightweight and isn’t heavy.

I use this at night, and when I wake up in the morning, I can’t believe how bright my skin looks and how hydrated and happy my skin feels.

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These are my favorite hydrating face masks at the moment and the ones I’ve been reaching for the most. Dry skin babes are going to love these. Oily girls/guys, you can still get use out of some of the less intense masks like the Watermelon sheet mask, Mugwort mask, and Laneige Cica sleeping mask. Those will really help with oily or acne-prone skin. What are your favorite hydrating face masks, or favorite face masks in general?

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