Automotive
Baby Products
Beauty
Books
Business, Industry & Science
Computers & Accessories
DIY, Garden & Tools
Electronics & Photo
Fashion
Grocery
Health & Personal Care
Home & Kitchen
Large Appliances
Musical Instruments & DJ
PC & Video Games
Pet Supplies
Sports & Outdoors
Stationery & Office Products
Toys & Games
Household goods
PC and cameras
Home appliances and electronics
Cosmetics and skincare
Health
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
Clothing
Shoes
Accessories
Kids and baby
Interior and furniture
Hobbies
Outdoor
DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Books, CDs, DVDs
Games
Cars and motorcycles
Gifts
Housing equipment and renovation
Travel
Smartphones and mobile phones
Music
Smartphone applications
If you suffer from dryness, you need a moisturising face mask that can nourish your skin and pores through winter and beyond. But we know it can be tricky to find the right products for dry, sensitive, combination, or even acne-prone skin. So, if you're tired of not seeing results from homemade DIY face mask recipes, you'll love the hydrating, blackhead-clearing masks we've got lined up for you.
Luckily for you, we've created this simple guide to teach you the tips and tricks for skincare shopping. After the guide, feel free to take a look at our 10 favourite masks that are popular on Amazon and Boots, including top-rated and drugstore brands like Origins, Nip+Fab, and K-beauty favourite Laneige. Moreover, we have partnered with Dermatologist Felipe Partarrieu for reviewing and fact-checking the article so that we can deliver you the best information.
Felipe Partarrieu is a dermatologist, who is GMC registered with a full licence to practise in the UK. Specialising in cosmeceuticals, facial skin care, and hair disorders, we worked with Felipe to bring you top quality information to help you make informed buying decisions and understand more about what goes onto your skin.
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
Felipe Partarrieu is a final year dermatology resident, who is GMC registered with a full licence to practise in the UK. Specialising in cosmeceuticals, facial skin care, and hair disorders, we worked with Felipe to bring you top quality information to help you make informed buying decisions and understand more about what goes onto your skin.
Deciding what's best for you when it comes down to skincare can be a challenge. With so many different ingredients with such complicated names, it can be hard to understand what to look for and what to avoid. If you have dry skin, you should look for the following ingredients in your face mask to get the best results:
While you're here, find out how incorporating sea buckthorn oil in your skincare routine can help with improving dry conditions!
Gels and creams are the most gentle options for face masks as they're light, and can be applied for overnight usage. Normally, gels are rich in collagen and antioxidants to help give your skin a youthful boost, while creams often contain hyaluronic acid to give your skin a surge of moisture.
Gel and cream masks are applied manually, bit by bit, and are a little bit messier. Because of this, we would recommend using a gel or cream mask if you don't mind dedicating some time in the evening to apply it, relax, and wash it off, as this will ensure you get the full benefits.
Sheet masks are face-shaped cloths that have holes for the eyes, nose, and mouth. They cling to your face and weigh down the mask formula, giving you a more intense treatment in comparison to standard face masks that are painted or smeared on.
While gel and creams usually need washing off after using them, you can just pat and massage the excess of the sheet formula into your skin, which is much more effective. This also makes sheet masks much more convenient and mess-free, plus they're also great for travel or nights away from home.
Clay masks are a common choice for skincare lovers for their thick and deep cleansing benefits. This could be beneficial if you have blackheads or blockages, or just need a deep clean!
However, be aware that they are only a good idea for people with dry skin if they also contain moisturising oils and butters. This is because clays are known to dry and harden, which tightens the skin and strips it of natural oil build-ups, so unless you have combination or only slight dryness, it's crucial to look for moisturising elements, too.
Are you using the right moisturiser for your skin type? Browse our favourite moisturisers for dry skin here!
Skincare formulas often include alcohols like ethanol and methanol as they lighten the weight of creams and gels, and are also used as hydrators when in fatty alcohol forms such as Cetearyl or cetyl alcohol. These are often referred to as 'good alcohols', which makes sense!
On the downside, some forms of alcohol, particularly benzyl alcohol, also have the ability to cause dryness, irritation, and even rashes for some people. This isn't the case for everyone, and it's mainly those with sensitive skin who struggle. All in all, we'd recommend that you opt for a mask that's alcohol-free if you are prone to irritation alongside dryness, just to be sure.
Did you know that cold creams can be a great alternative to facial washes for dry complexions as it cleanses without stripping the skin of too much oils?
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Andalou BioActive-8 Berry Fruit Enzyme Mask | £12.44 Mid | Anti-ageing Mask With Collagen and Elastin | ||
2 | Laneige Water Sleeping Mask | £19.87 High Mid | K-Beauty Hydrating Mask to Soothe Skin Overnight | ||
3 | Skyn Iceland Arctic Hydration Rubberizing Mask | £12.00 Mid | Make Your Own Rubberising Face Mask at Home | ||
4 | Mediheal Collagen Impact Essential Mask|Pack of 10 | £20.99 High Mid | Plumping South Korean Skin Care Sheets | ||
5 | Nip+Fab Retinol Fix Sheet Mask | £5.57 Low Mid | An Oaty, Floral Face Mask With Retinol | ||
6 | Charlotte Tilbury Instant Magic Facial Dry Sheet Mask | £18.00 High Mid | Popular Sheet Mask From Charlotte Tilbury | ||
7 | Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask | £24.50 High Mid | Natural Superfood Cream Mask to Cure Dry Skin | ||
8 | No7 Hydration Mask for Dry Skin | £9.50 Mid | 10 Minute Mask for Bright and Beautiful Skin | ||
9 | 7th Heaven Pink Rose Clay Face Mask | £1.99 Low | Cleansing Clay Mask for Treating Acne and Hydrating Skin | ||
10 | Nivea Bye Bye Dry Skin Face Mask | £3.76 Low Mid | Rich Moisturising Mask with Honey and Natural Almond Oil |
Using fruit stem cells and a bioactive 8-berry complex that's chock-full of antioxidants, this affordable, 99% natural gel mask will re-hydrate and rejuvenate in just 10 minutes, so there's no excuse not to treat your skin!
The added collagen and elastin firm and plump the skin, while the enzymes dissolve the dead, dry skin cells on the top layer of the face – ideal for both older and younger complexions. It's also alcohol-free, cruelty-free, and made with mostly organic ingredients, so it's an excellent choice no matter your skin type!
Caring for dry skin can be difficult when you have a busy lifestyle, which is why you may well benefit from this popular sleeping mask which you can apply before bed to reap the rewards overnight!
Another Korean beauty favourite, Laneige's mask will soothe and recharge stressed skin, while its 'Hydro-Ionised Mineral Water' formula brightens and purifies tired skin cells. Not to forget, the added apricot and evening primrose extracts will make your skin look radiant, even first thing in the morning.
The Wintered Red Algae in this face mask is rich in marine minerals which flood the skin with moisture, supporting collagen production. Because of this, you'll notice that your skin will not only feel lighter and more hydrated, but it will also look younger and plumper.
This mask comes in two parts; a gel and a powder that you mix together and apply evenly across your face. It's a fun one for an indulgent self-care evening as it creates an airtight barrier that locks hydration and revitalises your skin.
Korean skincare has taken the market by storm, and this nation-wide favourite is packed full of hydrolysed collagen and elastin, as well as vitamin E to revitalise fatigued skin and soothe dry patches whilst moisturising deeply.
To improve skin hydration and elasticity in the long-term, especially if you're looking for premium marine collagen's added wrinkle-filling and plumping benefits, we'd highly recommend giving this one a go!
Retinol is a tightening and cleansing substance that's fabulous for any skin type, but especially for dry skin. The sodium hyaluronate is ideal for giving yourself a renewed complexion and unclogging pores.
There's also moisturising coconut water and floral antioxidant extracts for brightening. Rich in all of the right ingredients, this mask will become your new favourite beauty ritual, particularly if you're spot- or blackhead-prone and want a quick, easy fix.
This award-winning face mask by Charlotte Tilbury claims to give you a hydrated, dewy and plump complexion in just fifteen minutes, with its supercharged essential oils and vitamins! It's also a match for mature skin types, as it contains wrinkle-smoothing, lifting, and firming ingredients, too.
This variation isn't a traditional sheet mask as it has straps that loop around your ears to ensure full coverage and no slipping, which is handy for rushed mornings. This revolutionary mask really could make all your magic skin wishes come true!
Applied before bed, this ultra-light superfood blend treats your skin with hydration for up to 72 hours. Thanks to the added Avocado and Swiss Glacier Water, the moisture locks in, keeping your skin refreshed and soothed through day and night.
Although a brand known for their use of natural botanical ingredients, which are certainly packed in here, this product does contain alcohol which might be a little disappointing in comparison to the other products on our list which are alcohol-free.
This face mask for dry skin comes in a light gel formula, that's intended to be left on for 3 to 10 minutes, so it's perfect if you're often too busy for a bit of self-care, as it instantly gets to work to intensively moisturise your skin.
Out of the list of crucial ingredients that are good for dry skin, this product does only contain glycerin, and cocoa butter much further down the list. In addition, there aren't as many essential oils in this mask as we'd have liked to see, which is a drawback for extremely dry skin types. Nevertheless, it hydrates well enough!
This single-use, affordable face mask is great for pamper days and sleepovers. The marula oil extract and shea butter are deeply hydrating and ideal for calming down dry skin, and the clay should drag out any impurities.
The fact that they arrive in singular sheets does make them more difficult to use on a regular basis, so we'd say that they're probably best for quick-fixes and home spa days, and they smell really beautiful too!
When your skin is in need of a quick dose of hydration and care, this sheet mask from Nivea is enriched with honey and natural almond oil to soothe and nourish the skin at the same time. Both your skin and your mind will be relaxed as the ingredients get to work to rehabilitate your dry conditions.
We think this one is perfect for taking on the go like when you're travelling and you want to pack light. Though, some users have mentioned that the hydration isn't long lasting. The strong smelling scent may also be too unpleasantly overpowering for some.
Written and Researched by Annie Speight
No. 1: Andalou |BioActive-8 Berry Fruit Enzyme Mask
No. 2: Laneige |Water Sleeping Mask
No. 3: Skyn Iceland|Arctic Hydration Rubberizing Mask
No. 4: Mediheal|Collagen Impact Essential Mask|Pack of 10
No. 5: Nip+Fab |Retinol Fix Sheet Mask
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Automotive
Baby Products
Beauty
Books
Business, Industry & Science
Computers & Accessories
DIY, Garden & Tools
Electronics & Photo
Fashion
Grocery
Health & Personal Care
Home & Kitchen
Large Appliances
Musical Instruments & DJ
PC & Video Games
Pet Supplies
Sports & Outdoors
Stationery & Office Products
Toys & Games
Household goods
PC and cameras
Home appliances and electronics
Cosmetics and skincare
Health
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
Clothing
Shoes
Accessories
Kids and baby
Interior and furniture
Hobbies
Outdoor
DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Books, CDs, DVDs
Games
Cars and motorcycles
Gifts
Housing equipment and renovation
Travel
Smartphones and mobile phones
Music
Smartphone applications