Masking has to be one of my favorite steps in my skincare routine. Since I started my skincare journey my mask collection has grown quite a bit. Being that I enjoy masking so much I find the time to incorporate some type of mask within my daily night routine. It sounds like it could be intense, but I mostly stick to hydrating facemasks. I know people look at masking as a self-care step. I do too, but for me it helps to maintain my skin. Not all masks are the same. Some mask require usage multiple times a week or just in general to notice a difference, while other work more quickly and have results that can be seen almost immediately. If you’re interested in learning about my Top 5 Face Masks, please keep reading! I’m also including a few masks that deserve an honorable mention.

I was able to break my masking down into several different categories

Chemical Exfoliating Masks
Physical Exfoliation Masks
Hydration Masks
Sleeping Masks
Clay Masks
Mud Masks
Sheet Masks

Chemical Exfoliating Masks

These masks are often formulated with acids/actives (AHA, BHA’s and Salicylic Acid). In my opinion, I find these types of masks to be fast acting and deliver results that can be seen and felt relatively quickly. They work by exfoliating the surface of the skin. By doing so it helps to improve the clarity and texture of the skin.

My favorite in this category has to be the Drunk Elephant Baby Facial Mask. I typically apply this mask every Sunday as a way to reset my skin for the week. This unique mask is made with a mixture of 25% AHA + 2% BHA ((T) Tartaric, (L) Lactic, (C) Citric Acids). Being that this mask is very strong, I would only recommend this mask to those that are used to using actives/acids in their skincare regimen. I do like that this masked can be buffered by adding the Drunk Elephant Marula oil or a heavy plain (acid free) cream to it.

Price: $80 for 1.69 oz.

If you’re interested in learning more about this mask, check out my full blog post review HERE

Physical Exfoliation

These are masks that made to exfoliate the skin by using physical exfoliation. In the past I used horrible masks like the St. Ives Apricot Scrub. Now that I more educated with skincare, I prefer to go for products that are more gentle and do not risk damaging the barrier level of my skin. Physical exfoliators mask contains some level of grittiness to help buff away dead skin cells from the top layer of the skin. My skin is resilient and tolerate physical scrubs. If you know you have sensitive skin, you may to want to skip using these types of masks.

Dr. Dennis Gross Pumpkin Enzyme is a physical and chemical exfoliating mask that smells just like pumpkin pie. This mask contains AHA from vegetable extracts to exfoliate the skin on a chemical level. The texture of this mask is more on the course side to exfoliate the skin on a physical level. I know many people prefer to stay away from physical exfoliators, but I don’t find this one to be particularly harsh. My goal with this mask is to alternate it with the Drunk Elephant Baby Facial. Keep in mind the formula contains fragrance, but thankfully is does not contain that much as it listed as the last ingredient in the formulation list.

Price: $60 for 5oz.

Ingredients: Water, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin), Alumina, Glycerin, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Lactate, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, BHT, Sodium Hyaluronate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Cinnamal, Fragrance.

Hydration + Renewal

These are masks that focused on hydrating the skin and also help to provide nourishment to the skin.

The Farmacy Honey Potion Mask has been a favorite of mine for the past year. It’s described as an intense hydrating, warming honey mask that is made with antioxidants. This is mask I look forward to doing each and every week. The directions calls for the mask to be left on for 10 minutes, but I tend to apply this and keep it on for up to 30 minutes. The fact that it’s gentle and hydrating, I’m okay with leaving it on longer than the recommended time. I tend to only do this mask 1x a week. But being that I enjoy this mask so much and a decent amount comes in the jar, I’ll probably start incorporating this into my routine 2x a week.

Price: $38 for 1.7oz

If you’re interested in learning more about this mask, Check out my full blog post review HERE

Hydrate + Tone

The Fresh Rose Mask has been a favorite of mine for years. The mask focuses on hydrating the skin along with toning. This is a mask that can be used by all skin types. I love that the formula has real rose petals in the mask. After using this mask my feels hydrate and very much toned. Recently I started storing this mask in my skincare fridge. I love how cool it feels to the skin. I also believe the chill temperature also helps to combat any puffiness.

Price $25 for 1oz

If you’re interested in learning more about this mask, Check out my full blog post review HERE

Sleeping Mask + Moisture

I recently heard and not sure if it’s true that sleeping masks were formulated for those who work overnight shifts to use as a way for their skin to replenish at night. Not sure if it’s true, but I can understand the logic behind it. Sleeping masks are known to be very hydrating and help with cell renewal overnight. From my understanding they are not meant to be used nightly. But can be used several times a week.

The Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate Glow Dream Mask is pretty new to my collection. I’ve had this mini for several months now. In that short period of time it has quickly become a favorite of mine. I don’t use sleeping masks daily, but I try to incorporate them into routine 1-2x a week to help maintain my moisture levels whilst I sleep. This mask had such a big hype around it and after trying it just one time I quickly understood why. The Dream Glow Mask is a whipped medium consistency texture. A little of the mask goes a long way. The mask is designed to hydrate and brighten along with being formulated with antioxidant ingredients. I typically use this on nights I’m super lazy or whenever I feel like my skin needs an extra boost. The next morning my skin has a nice bounce to it and looks radiant!

I know people that use this mask almost nightly as a night moisturizers and many use it in the same manner as I do, which is 1x a week or so. At the current time, I only have a mini but I’m purchasing the full size in the next month. This is another mask that I keep in my skincare fridge.

Price: $48 for 2oz

Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau(Aqua),Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Betaine, Isopropyl Myristate, Stearic Acid, Opuntia Tuna (Prickly Pear) Extract, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Fruit Extract, Lycium Barbarum (Goji) Extract, Aristotelia Chilensis (Maqui) Fruit Extract, Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C), Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Stearyl Citrate,Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Glyceryl Laurate, Squalane Olive, Carbomer, Hyaluronic Acid, Allantoin, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Natural Fragrance, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)

Honorable Mentions

These are masks that I use sparingly, but thought they would be worth mentioning!

The Pixi Glow Mud Mask has quickly become a mask that I look forward to using. I love that the mask doesn’t make my skin feel dry after using it and it only needs to be kept on for 15 minutes.

Sheet Masks- As the weather becomes cooler and the air becomes drier, I like to incorporate more sheets masks into my routine to for quick levels of hydration. Sheet masks tend to be pretty affordable and a great way to start with including extra hydration in your routine.

Clay Masks: These can be extremely drying, which is why I use them more in the summer when my skin produces an excess level of sebum. I also like clay masks to use as spot treatment for stubborn spots. The Phulisphy Mask has been one of my favorites to use for my t-zone and spots.

TIP: I know people often say they don’t have time for masking. But I really think there’s so many way you can easily incorporate them into your day without spending extra time. Try masking at night at start at some of your nightly chores. I tend to throw on a face mask and then go wash the dishes, pick out my clothes/iron for the next day and etc.

My Top 5 Face Masks