If you follow me on Instagram (specifically Instagram Stories), you know I’m a big fan of face masks. I have incredibly dry, acne-prone skin (the worst of both worlds, I know). Every year, in the winter, my skin freaks out and becomes a dry, acne-ridden mess. It’s a ton of fun. And that’s why I’ve invested in a bunch of hydrating face masks for dry skin, and I use those face masks frequently this time of year.
While this post is particularly targeted at those of you with dry skin, a few of the masks I include are also great for oily or combination skin… especially this time of year. Because nobody wants a cracked/peeling face. Literally ever.
My Favorite Hydrating Face Masks for Dry Skin
No. 1: Nature Republic Snail Solution
I first discovered these sheet masks on my trip to South Korea in May of 2017, and they appeared on the blog very soon after that. I can’t begin to tell you how many people I’ve turned onto these masks. Colleagues, friends, family, random people at parties – I’m obsessed.
The best part about these sheet masks is that they’re great for all skin types. My mom has oily skin and loves them, one of my colleagues has combination skin and is obsessed, and I have dry skin… and I obviously love them enough for them to make it onto my list of my favorite hydrating face masks for dry skin.
These snail masks are ultra-moisturizing, anti-aging, brightening, and firming. Just pop one on for 15-20 minutes, remove the sheet, and massage the excess solution into your skin. This time of year, I like to use hydrating face mask at least 1x each week (usually on Sunday evenings). In the summer, I use it every 1.5 weeks or every other week.
No. 2: Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask
OMG this product. This is my holy grail face mask for dry skin. It has completely changed my skin and it’s my #1 savior product while traveling. I use it as an overnight mask, a 10-minute quick jolt of hydration, and while in-flight to ensure I kick off my trip with dewy, hydrated skin. PLUS it’s “Clean at Sephora” (aka sulfate-free and free of 50 other ingredients including parabens and phthalates).
If you have oily or combination skin, I recommend using Jet Lag 2x per week as a quick jolt of hydration: just leave it on for about 10 minutes before blotting off the excess product with a warm cloth. It’s totally safe for the eye area and you don’t need to use a ton of the product (just a thin layer is fine). I also recommend using this hydrating face mask while in-flight for about 30 minutes if you’re traveling internationally (or as an overnight mask). Planes dry out your skin like none other, and this product is a great protective barrier for your skin!
If you have dry skin, get excited: you have found your new best friend. Of all of the products included as my favorite hydrating face masks for dry skin, I use this one the most. This time of year, I’ll use this mask as an overnight mask/moisturizer at least 3x a week. Even during the summer, I use it as an overnight mask at least 1x each week. I use this product on every single international flight… and sometimes even on long-haul domestic flights.
No. 3: GLAMGLOW THIRSTYMUD™ Hydrating Treatment Mask
Don’t let the all-caps spook you: this mask is legit. I first discovered it through a tester size (0.5 oz). Then I bought the standard size. And then finally I realized that wasn’t going to cut it (1.7 oz), so I went back and bought the value size (3.5 oz).
Long story short: I love this mask.
I use a lot of my hydrating face masks for dry skin in the same way: as overnight masks. This mask and Jet Lag are essentially interchangeable in my mind, though I do find that I end up using a lot more of this product in each application. Since I do use both so interchangeably, please refer to the section above (on Jet Lag) for how to use for oily/dry/combination skin.
Occasionally, I’ll use this product (along with an eye treatment) for 20 minutes of hydration while I’m in the bath. After, I’ll lightly pat my skin with a warm towel to remove the excess product and then apply my nighttime moisturizer.
No. 4: Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask
Yes, the name for this mask totally sounds like something your hipster sister would say he wants for breakfast the next day instead of an açaí bowl. Honestly, I was pretty apprehensive when I first tried this mask, just due to the branding. It’s vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and made in recyclable packaging. That’s all wonderful, but I just assumed that meant it was aggressively clean. As in I would gain just as much from sticking a smoothie of blueberries on my face as I would from this product.
I never actually tested the blueberry smoothie (maybe that’s an idea for a future post?) but I this product works.
It’s packed with vitamin C and squalane, so your skin will be hydrated, plumper, and brighter after just a few uses. I’ve never tested this overnight hydrating mask on oily skin or combination skin, but I do know that it works wonders on dry skin.
Pro tip: if you have oily/combination skin and want to try this product, go into Sephora and just ask for a sample of it! They can give you a sample size or make you a tiny tester – usually enough for 2-3 days of use. Sephora can do this for [almost] every product, so I always recommend testing before purchase… especially when you’re purchasing skincare.
This overnight mask was specifically made for dry skin, so it should be no surprise that it’s on my list of the best face masks for dry skin. It’s not as intense as the previous two masks, so it’s great for nightly use. As with Jet Lag, a little of this product goes a long way.
Also FYI this product has a whiteish sheen during application. Just a head’s up in case, like me, you find that oddly freaky for some reason.
No. 5: Innisfree My Real Squeeze Mask
Did you really think I’d only feature one K-beauty discovery in this post?
A bit of a backstory:
While I bought a ton of these masks when I went to Korea in 2017, I didn’t immediately realize how amazing they are. I used them, I loved them, but I didn’t use them consistently enough to see the *wow*. I later discovered Mr. Sunshine on Netflix. The show is stunning (I highly recommend it if you haven’t yet watched it)… but a lot of my focus was on the actress who plays the female protagonist, Kim Tae-ri. Or rather, on her skin.
This actress has skin that looks like glass. I’m not kidding: it’s stunning. We are the same age (she’s literally a week younger than me), but you’d never know it by looking at her skin. So, like any person with way too much time on her hands and an obsession with skincare, I started searching for her skincare routine (which I didn’t find). That led me down a Google hole (as one does), and then I discovered the term “glass skin”. Which led me to this article which has absolutely nothing to do with Kim Tae-ri, but is all about how to get the “glass skin” look. And guess what it featured? These face masks.
The article recommended using the masks 1-2x each week. So, in my quest for glass skin, I did just that. And, after only 2 weeks, I saw a change in my skin. The next time I went in for a facial (I get HydraFacials at Hiatus in Dallas!), my esthetician commented on how much better my skin looked.
All of that is to say I now swear by these masks.
How to use:
I use the symbol in the bottom righthand corner to determine which mask is right for my skin that day.
The symbol that looks like a reusable water bottle means that mask is water-based and will leave my skin feeling lighter and refreshed (perfect for those of you with oily/combination skin!). Most times, I reach for the masks with the symbol that looks like a large serum bottle with a pump. These are the essence-based masks and are focused on deep hydration. If you have combination or dry skin, I recommend using these more often!
Finally, if my skin is looking rough (dry, cracked, dull, generally bad), I go for a cream-based mask. These have a little jar symbol in the corner. The cream-based masks are for intense nourishment, so they’re amazing for dry skin. I use these masks pretty rarely in the summer and about once every 2 weeks in the winter (once a week if I’m in Colorado!).
According to Innisfree, these masks are safe for frequent or even every day use (I use them 1-2x per week). You can find them for pretty cheap on Amazon (here and here), but I recommend buying them directly from Innisfree to ensure quality.
What are your favorite hydrating face masks for dry skin? Have you tried any of the products featured above? Let me know in the comments below!
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