If your skin is dull, dry, and dehydrated, I understand your pain. Luckily, there’s a super solution that dermatologists swear by to hydrate, plump, and brighten your complexion: a hydrating mask!
“While a hydrating mask isn’t a must-have in your skincare routine, it can be a helpful addition for those with dry skin or to help hydrate your skin in cold, dry, low-humidity climates,” explains Dr.
Reshmi Kapoor, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Brooklyn Dermatology Center in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Essentially, a good hydrating mask can be the extra step you need in your skincare routine to help you
get closer to the hydrated complexion of your dreams.
Are you ready to quench your skin’s thirst? Here are 16 of the best hydrating masks for all skin types, according to dermatologists and rave reviews.
1. Laneige Water Sleeping Mask: Dr. Kapoor recommends this sleeping mask if you’re looking for a nighttime mask to hydrate, plump, and brighten your skin.
“This gel-based overnight mask contains squalane, which mimics a naturally occurring lipid that helps build the skin barrier,” she explains.
The mask also contains a probiotic complex that strengthens the skin’s moisture barrier while improving skin clarity and elasticity. And you don’t have to worry about a ton of residue because squalane is so lightweight.
Enthusiastic review: “I started using it because I had a weird feeling of dryness and irritation. My skin has since recovered, but this is still part of my routine because I woke up the next morning with radiant, soft skin!”
2. Clinique Moisture Surge™ Overnight Mask: Whether your skin is dry, oily, or combination, this overnight mask will give your thirsty complexion the hydration it needs.
Simply apply before bed, and its creamy formula works wonders to restore lost moisture. It’s also oil-free, so it won’t clog your pores.
Enthusiastic review: “My favorite night cream so far—non-acnegenic, non-greasy, and non-irritating. Thumbs up!”
3. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating 100% Hydrogel Mask: “The main ingredient in this mask is hyaluronic acid, which attracts water molecules and retains up to 1,000 times its weight in water to boost skin hydration,” says Neutrogena’s Dr.
Kapur.
The mask also contains vitamin B3 (aka niacin) to brighten skin and smooth skin texture for a radiant complexion.
Enthusiastic review: “I use it and love it! I live in a state of perpetual dryness, so this moisturizer is definitely for me.”
4. Augustinus Bader Cream Mask: It’s pricey, but it’s definitely worth it if you’re on a budget! This mask deeply hydrates the skin, fights visible signs of aging, and improves skin’s radiance.
“It instantly delivers intense hydration and radiance to the skin while preventing moisture loss,” says board-certified dermatologist Anetta Reszko, MD.
“This is a rich, creamy formula that can also be used as a nighttime mask for a more intensive treatment,” she explains. Another plus? Its formula is free of irritants.
Enthusiastic review: “After using this product, I noticed that my eye area looked more hydrated than when I used other creams. It helped me reduce dark circles and provide a more even skin tone. I will definitely have it
Keep it in my skincare rotation.”
5. Peach Snail Rescue Intensive Cleansing Mask: If your face is dry and prone to acne, don’t panic: This powerful mask will help.
This jelly mask contains antibacterial enzymes produced by snails to help heal acne and fight dark spots. It also erases dullness and uneven texture, leaving a smooth, glowing surface.
Enthusiastic review: “I use this mask at least 3 times a week and can’t get enough. It makes my dull skin look hydrated and plump almost instantly. I spritz on some rose water mist afterwards and it feels amazing.”
6. Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Water Facial This overnight mask contains restorative ingredients like ceramides, squalene, and niacinamide that work together to repair the skin barrier. Kapur.
It also relieves dryness and soothes redness with electrolytes that visibly plump and restore the skin barrier.
Rhapsody: “I love it! I use it every night and my skin is left soft, radiant, plump, and healthy-looking. Use it in addition to your daily regimen and it absorbs overnight!”
7. Yadah Daily Green Mask Sometimes you need a full spa treatment—or at least something like it. These masks are hydrating, anti-aging, and brightening. Contains soy natto collagen extract to promote skin elasticity while adding brightness and vitality.
Enthusiastic review: “I have very sensitive skin and this mask works great! It softens and moisturizes my face and more importantly, doesn’t leave a sticky feeling. Highly recommended!”
8. Bioeffect Imprinted Hydrogel Mask It’s time to regenerate your skin with this hyaluronic acid mask, as this high-quality hydrogel face deeply hydrates, leaving skin softer, smoother, and plumper.” Ray Sko.
“Made from bio-based, eco-friendly materials, this mask is completely biodegradable, water-soluble, oil-free, fragrance-free, alcohol-free, paraben-free, gluten-free, and hypoallergenic,” she explains. “It’s so pure, green, and clean!”
Enthusiastic review: “Obsessed. I don’t think my skin has ever been so moisturized.”
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
