Self care can mean a lot of things, but for a beauty junkie, it often means one thing in particular: doing a face mask. Sure, there can be a bubble bath (or wine!) involved, but at the bare minimum, a treatment that’s left on skin for ten to fifteen minutes can feel downright luxurious on days when you’ve felt pulled in a million directions. (For the full effect, try not to check your phone for those ten to fifteen minutes. Almost impossible, I know.)
Considering how hard it can be to carve out any time for a prolonged beauty treatment, you’ll want to make sure that you’re selecting the best mask for your skin to really make the most of that quarter hour. Thankfully, there are a ton of incredible new masks on the market that can do everything from deeply hydrate to exfoliate and even smooth fine lines. Click ahead to browse the most noteworthy new face mask launches, and join me in some technology-free R&R this week!
featured photo by lucy williams
Lancome Energie de Vie The Illuminating & Purifying Exfoliating Mask
If you’re feeling like your skin is looking a little dull, uneven, and generally lackluster (always seems to be the case after an airplane trip, right?), pop this cool gel mask for only three minutes. Glycerin, jojoba pearls, and lemon peel work together to soothe, hydrate, and exfoliate, leaving you with a totally refreshed complexion.
If acne has been plaguing you (random breakouts are always an issue for me during the hotter and more humid months), this clarifying mask by natural-beauty-guru Tata Harper will clear things right up. A powerful mix of salicylic acid, a super fruit AHA blend, and lactic acid all work together to purify and exfoliate, while chlorella nourishes and hydrates.
The Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask
If you really can’t carve out me time during the day (hey, life gets busy!), take advantage of some multitasking with this “sleeping mask” that works to up your glow factor overnight. Simply apply like a face cream and hit the hay; you’ll feel like Sleeping Beauty when you wake up.
Prevage City Smart Detox Peel Off Mask
If you live in a city like I do, environmental pollutants are probably stressing your skin out on a day-to-day basis. This fun peel-off mask works to counteract these effects two ways: by physically lifting away dirt and oil, and by using antioxidants to neutralize free radicals and fend off signs of aging.
Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb Sheet Mask
Sheet masks are an exciting new addition to the beauty market that originated in Korea. Simply throw one of these cool pre-loaded masks into your bag while traveling and apply when you arrive to totally revitalize your skin with a serious dose of hyaluronic acid (and no mineral oil or petrolatum, which can clog pores).
Fresh Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy Boosting Face Mask
This yummy mask is made from a proprietary mix of lemon, orange and clementine peels, whose natural fruit acids gently exfoliate and brighten the skin without the addition of chemical or acid exfoliators.
Light Therapy Acne Mask from Neutrogena
Ready to go seriously high-tech? This light mask from Neutrogena is the first of its kind on the market; it uses a combination of blue and red light therapy to gently kill bacteria and reduce inflammation—and hey, you can freak out your roommate while you wear it!
REN Evercalm Ultra Comforting Rescue Mask
Sensitive types rejoice: this treatment’s white mushroom extract works to immediately reduce redness and irritation, leaving skin calm and comfortable.
