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If you suffer from dry, flaky skin, you know that slathering on a heavy duty moisturizer can work wonders—but sometimes, it still isn’t enough to smooth out dry patches and return your complexion to its former radiance.
That’s because multiple factors—everything from genetics to aging to cold weather—can zap the moisture from your skin. “When the skin barrier is weak because of genetics, it cannot protect itself from the environment as well as it should,” explains Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
And as you age, your skin cells don’t produce moisturizing oils like they did when you were younger. Even the products stashed away in your bathroom can cause that tight, parched feeling: harsh cleansers, exfoliating too much, and using a retinol cream or acne products can disrupt your skin barrier and lead to dryness, says Dr. Zeichner.
So, you might need to call in some reinforcements—and that’s where a hydrating face mask comes in. “I recommend masks as a supplement to your traditional skin care routine,” says Dr. Zeichner. “Think of them as an extension of what you are doing every day. Unlike other types of treatment masks that may contain irritating ingredients, hydrating mask are usually rich in ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which provide a plumping effect without causing any harm to the outer skin layer.”
How to choose (and use) the best hydrating face mask for your dry skin
Look for moisturizers: Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and aloe vera are a humectants, meaning they attract and hold onto water. Other dry skin boosters to look out for include plants oils and butters, vitamin E, ceramides, and urea.
Know when to use it: If you are consistently dry, you can use hydrating masks as often as you like, ideally before bed, says Dr. Zeichner. But if the face mask contains other ingredients that brighten (like vitamin C) or stimulate collagen (like retinol), it’s best to stick to just once a week to keep irritation at a minimum.
Go double-duty: Even though your skin will feel hydrated following a mask, don’t skip your moisturizer—this will help seal all the hydration in to help renew your skin as you snooze.
Ready to revive your dull complexion? Here are the best hydrating face masks that will make your dry skin feel soft and supple again.
1
Best Overall
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Instant Oatmeal Mask
Now 30% Off
First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair Cream is a cult favorite moisturizer for dry skin—so it’s no surprise that their face mask deliver’s skin soothing benefits, too. Formulated with colloidal oatmeal (to calm irritation), shea butter (a rich emollient), and sea buckthorn (a botanical extract that conditions), this deeply hydrating mask will not only relieve, but also repair dry skin.
2
Best Value
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrogel Face Mask (Pack of 12)
Dr. Zeichner recommends this nourishing sheet mask from Neutrogena because it’s loaded with hyaluronic acid, which actslike a sponge that binds to water to help plump the skin. What’s more, it’s noncomedogenic, so you don’t have to worry about it clogging your pores if you’re acne-prone. For $28, you get 12 masks to use!
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This cult-favorite mask gets major props from testers. The jelly-like, cooling formula contains actual rose petals (a true pampering experience!) to restore and rebalance the skin.It also packscucumber and aloe vera to soothe, a form of hyaluronic acid to plump, and green tea to brighten and protect the skin. “I used this every once in a while before a big event and there was definitely a noticeable change, as my face felt more hydrated and it made my face less dull and brightened it up,” one Nordstrom reviewer raved.“You don’t have to use much product for each use so this face mask lasts a while.”
There’s a reason fans of this mask call it “gold magic.” Enriched with skin-soothing calendula flower petals and aloe vera, this gel formula amps up moisture while reducing redness and irritation. Pro tip: Keep it in the fridge for a cooling treatment that brightens the skin instantly. It’s lightweight, refreshing, and just what you need to soften dry patches.
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The name speaks for itself. This water-based sheet mask from Garnier delivers a surge of moisture to the skin, thanks to a potent mix of hyaluronic acid and pomegranate extract. The result? Plumper, softer, and more radiant skin.
This botanical mask contains cucumber, thyme, and olive extract to calm and hydrate your skin, along with hyaluronic acid to retain moisture, says Dr. Zeichner. This one is especially great if you’re experiencing redness or irritation, since it targets inflammation and provides a cooling sensation to relieve any discomfort.
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Packed with hyaluronic acid, soothing chamomile, healing aloe vera, and skin-renewing peptides, this cooling Karuna sheet mask hydrates and calms dry, irritated skin. Major bonus: It actually fits snugly on your face (a rare quality in sheet masks!), so you’re free to walk around and go about your night while it works its magic.
8
ORIGINS Drink Up Intensive Overnight Hydrating Mask
$36 at Prevention Shop
This sleeping face mask for dry skin offers hyaluronic acid, avocado butter, glycerin, and niacinamide (a B vitamin that reduces redness) for a cocktail of nourishing ingredients that hydrate parched skin overnight. It has a light, pleasant scent and banishes pesky patches and flakes for a smoother, glowing complexion.
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To treat yourself to a splurge-worthy mask, look no further than this noncomedogenic formula from Sisley. “With skin calming black rose extract and ultra-hydrating botanical extracts, this mask offers both hydration and anti-aging benefits,” says Dr. Zeichner, thanks to ingredients likered fine leaf extract, vitamin E, geranium oil, shea butter, vitamin B5, and more.
If you can’t squeeze in time for a face mask before bed, try this overnight moisturizing mask from Laneige, which hydrates while you sleep. Thanks to its unique blend of humectants, minerals, and botanical extracts, parched skin will receive a quick pick-me-up. Simply rinse it off in the morning to reveal refreshed, glowing skin.
Alisa Hrustic
Health, Science, and Lifestyle Writer and Editor
Alisa Hrustic is a health, science, and lifestyle editor with nearly 10 years of experience in digital media and service journalism. She’s passionate about creating trustworthy wellness content that’s rooted in science, inclusivity, and empathy. Most recently, she was the executive editor and health director at SELF, where she led day-to-day editorial coverage; launched the brand’s health conditions hub, focusing on racial and gender disparities; and produced editorial packages, features, and digital covers. She was previously the deputy editor at Prevention.com, where she oversaw digital editorial strategy, including the brand’s extensive COVID-19 coverage at the height of the pandemic. Her work has also appeared in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Prevention, National Geographic, PS, Wondermind, and more. Alisa is an Iowa native, a bilingual Bosnian American, and a big lover of the outdoors. She graduated with distinction from the University of Iowa’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication and currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.
