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It is never easy to try to get make your skin look younger quickly. But sometimes you need a quick fix, particularly if you have a big event or important day coming up. The obvious answer to achieving smoother, brighter and plumper skin fast is by getting a professional facial. But the best facials come with a hefty price tag – especially anti-aging treatments – so if you’re not looking so spend too much, you’re probably thinking that you’re out of luck. But there is another solution to getting instantly younger skin: a face mask.
Face masks are the best way to get any type of skincare benefit quickly. Many people don’t realize it, but the best face masks are no different from a good facial in terms of results and power of ingredients. They deliver intense benefits to your face with strong formulas that are left on the skin for an extended period of time – much like a facial. If you ind the right face mask, you can get younger looking skin after just one use. You just need to know where to shop.
The 8 Best Anti-Aging Face Masks
1. Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask Enzymatic Dermal Resurfacer
What It Does
- Uses a formula of aluminum oxide crystals, pumpkin enzymes and an alpha hydroxy acid to smooth skin and boost radiance
- Improves dull, aging complexions to smooth the look of fine lines and wrinkles
- Gently exfoliates to improve dullness and even out skin tone
Why Dermatologists Love It
"I love this mask from Peter Thomas Roth. This mask has a physical exfoliant, chemical exfoliant (AHA), and pumpkin enzymes. It's a very fun, festive mask that smells like heaven, so I like it for people with normal skin who can tolerate fragrance and a combination of acids on their skin," Lena Metcalfe PA-C of Facile Dermatology + Boutique told Byrdie.
Promising Review
“Game changer. Immediate results. Registered to leave reviews just so I could give this product all the stars. Received a smaller size in a mask set I purchased to explore masks in this line and saw immediate results with this mask. Continue to be impressed each use. I have fairly sensitive combination skin with frequent breakouts and big pores. This helped minimize pores, clear up break up and generally made my skin look smoother and brighter. You definitely feel the product working when you put it on and the mask itself is tinted orange, but I have not had any problems with redness. Wonderful results, highly recommend.” - amptcb
Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask Enzymatic Dermal Resurfacer ($60)
2. Elizabeth Arden Superstart Probiotic Boost Skin Renewal Biocellulose Mask
What It Does
- Uses biocellulose materials and powerful probiotics to rejuvenate and replenish the skin
- Restores the natural balance of the skin and strengthens its ability to repair itself
- Boosts moisture to leave skin looking fresh, smooth and luminous
Why Dermatologists Love It
"One of my favorite masks is the Elizabeth Arden Superstart Probiotic Boost Skin Renewal Biocellulose Mask, which combines probiotics and hyaluronic acid for powerful hydration, while restoring balance and combating damage from environmental aggressors," dermatologist Dendy Engelman told Allure.
Promising Review
“I love this mask! In just 15-20 minutes my skin looks luminous, fresh, dewy; it glows with health. It is very easy to use. I place the mask on my face, then any of the product that transfers to my fingers, I smooth over my neck and dec.” - DonnaT
Elizabeth Arden Superstart Probiotic Boost Skin Renewal Biocellulose Mask ($67)
3. La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Intense Hyaluronic Acid Face Mask
What It Does
- Hydrates and soothes skin with a powerful dose of hyaluronic acid for a firmer, softer look
- Restores luminosity and leaves skin with a plump texture
- Smoothes out fine lines and wrinkles with intense moisture
Why Dermatologists Love It
“Treat your skin with kindness via an intensely calming and soothing face mask," Y. Claire Chang, MD of Union Square Dermatology said of this mask to Real Simple.
Promising Review
“I have a very dry skin that keeps peeling off during cold months. A lady who does my facials once a month recommended this mask. I apply it twice a week and love the results: skin looks amazing: no more peeling, no dry skin, and girls at work noticed that my face looks brighter and younger. I would recommend it to anyone.” - MilaSapa
La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Intense Hyaluronic Acid Face Mask ($19.99)
4. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Masque
What It Does
- Improves skin elasticity and plumpness while supporting the skin’s natural moisture barrier
- Softens skin overnight with intense hydration provided by natural ingredients
- Supports the skin’s natural moisture balance for a soft and supple texture
Why Dermatologists Love It
"This option from Kiehl's is a balanced, hydrating mask that intensively moisturizes the skin overnight. Key ingredients include fountain plant, glacial proteins, and desert plant extract, which smooth and soften the skin while you sleep at night," Ronald Moy, MD, FAAD, of Moy Fincher Chipps Facial Plastics & Dermatology told Byrdie.
Promising Review
“I already have the Ultra Facial Cream which I love so I decided to give this a shot for some extra hydration / glow in the morning and it’s amaaazing! No complaints about this - perfect weight to it, and leaves my skin looking healthy and fresh in the morning. It says to use 1x per week but I actually use it about 3x a week just because it hasn’t been too oily or anything and I just love having it as part of my nighttime skin care routine. The combination of using this masque at night, and the ultra facial cream in the morning has given me an overall more even skin tone and more life to my face! I also LOVE that the masque helps a lot with dark circles and eye puffiness in the morning. Very happy with this product and I highly recommend to anyone!” - CatheRH
Kiehl's Since 1851 Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Mask ($36)
5. Vichy Quenching Mineral Face Mask
What It Does
- Uses mineralizing thermal water, glycerin and vitamin B3 to soothe and replenish skin
- Calms, cools and refreshes skin, while strengthening the natural moisture barrier
- Leaves skin visibly softer and firmer
Why Dermatologists Love It
"This paraben-free mask contains vitamin B3 (niacinamide), which reduces the depletion of enzymes called NADH and NADPH that occurs with aging, while simultaneously improving the skin's natural barrier against environmental pollutants and irritants. In addition to offering anti-aging benefits, it's incredibly hydrating and soothing,” Erin Gilbert, MD told Women’s Health.
Promising Review
“This is a holy grail for me in the winter especially for dehydrated skin which is was different than dry skin and needs to be treated differently. This helps cure flakey aggravated skin. Has a cooling sensation and smells nice. I just was the scent was a little less but nonetheless it's a very pleasant fresh spa scent. If you are sensitive to scent I do not recommend. But I do recommend this for all skin types because this is water based. It will leave little bit of a sticky film on your face before you go to bed which I absolutely love and look for. The reason I like that is because dehydrated skin drinks all the moisture up through the night. No matter what mask I use it's never enough moisture. This is hands down the best mask I have ever tried and trust me I have tried many. The problem is the ones that are super rich break me out and because this is water-based this has a very very low chance of breaking someone out unless you are alone sensitive to one of the ingredients. Buy this mask now!!” - Lauren
Vichy Mineral Mask with Vitamin B3 to Hydrate & Refresh Dry Skin ($20)
6. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Face Mask
What It Does
- Sheet mask that contours to the face to provide an even coverage of a powerful hyaluronic acid formula
- Uses a unique 100% hydrogel material to hold up to 50% more moisture than a standard face mask
- Gently hydrates skin to leave it smooth and supple
Why Dermatologists Love It
“Hyaluronic acid is like a sponge that binds 1000 times its weight in water,” Joshua Zeichner, MD told Real Simple, and recommended this face mask.
Promising Review
“I love these masks, and this price is excellent. I use them following exfoliation, and they nicely replenish any moisture I've stripped during the process. Paired with a good night cream, my skin absolutely glows the morning after use. The masks are flimsy and can be trying to get in place at first. I flip the mouth and eye flaps back over their cutouts once I've settled down to relax. You can't walk around with these masks on, so make sure you are in a position to chill for 30 minutes or so. This product comes with a lot of extra essence, so use it. After removing the mask, I massage the remaining essence into my face, neck, and decolletage, followed by a night cream. Love this item!” - Colleen R
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizing & Hydrating 100% Hydrogel Face Mask Sheet with Hyaluronic Acid ($29)
7. Burt's Bees Intense Hydration Treatment Mask
What It Does
- Restores skin with a blend of powerful, natural anti-aging ingredients like clarity sage
- Intensely hydrates skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Leaves skin feeling softer, smoother and more supple
Why Dermatologists Love It
"Perfect for dry skin, this mask contains moisturizing ingredients (like coconut oil and tucuma seed butter) for providing immediate and intense hydration. As an added bonus, it also helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles!" Jeannette Graf, M.D of Mount Sinai Medical Center told Women’s Health
Promising Review
“So I turned to a more natural solution a couple of years ago. Burt's Bees is a great line that makes me feel good about what I'm using on my body and face; there's not of the guilt over wondering if the items were animal-tested (they're not) they're almost all natural (the bottle will tell you 98.7% pure on one thing and the other ratings on others). As far as masks go, this one is pretty creamy and soft; you wear it for ten-twenty minutes, then wash it off and you feel like your face was just at a spa. It's not a hardening masque, so don't expect to do that "peel" thing when using it, but it won't clog your pores like cold creme or other products and leaves you feeling smooth, refreshed and naturally clean. And for me, that's half the reason I use it: it's natural ingredients, it's natural feel, and it's natural effectiveness. I'm a fan of Burt's Bees items - Their Almond Milk Beeswax Hand Creme is something I swear by and even have the landscaper using it on his hardened and calloused hands now. This is a brand I feel I can trust, and this Mask is something that makes my face look and feel better after just one use. Imagine how it would feel after you've used the whole container up? You'll be like me and order more.” - Raven
Burt's Bees Intense Hydration Treatment Mask ($16.97)
8. Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask
What It Does
- Boosts skin’s radiance overnight with blend of watermelon, hyaluronic acid and AHAs that gently exfoliate to refine the look of dark spots and pores
- Soothes skin with anti-inflammatory vitamins and powerful hydration for a smoother, brighter look
- Binds moisture to the skin for a soft, supple and firm texture
Why Dermatologists Love It
Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD told Shape that this overnight face mask replenishes moisture, smooths and brightens the skin while gently exfoliating due to its formula of antioxidant-rich watermelon extract and hyaluronic acid.
Promising Review
“The holy grail of sleeping masks... I originally received this as a free sample and bought the full size because I love it so much. Texture is a bit like jelly/slime, but it feels so cool and refreshing on my face. I've only been using for a few weeks but I've noticed a big difference in helping with hyperpigmentation from my acne scars!” - tinypeaches
