The 16 Best Hydrating Face Masks for Dry Skin 2023

Aug 29, 2023

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Your skin deserves one of these pampering products.

When your skin is dry or dehydrated, every step of your skincare routine—from cleanser to face cream—becomes all the more important. And, for the sake of your skin barrier, it may also a time to add one of the best hydrating face masks to your regimen.

"Hydrating sheet face masks have become a hallmark of Korean beauty skincare over the years, and are now a global beauty staple," says Syosset, New York-based facial plastic surgeon and founder of AIREM Modern Beauty Rituals Eunice Park. Sheet masks may be some of the most fun to use, but there are other mask options to consider too, from overnight masks to gel masks and more. Ahead, find 16 of the best hydrating face masks, plus more advice on what to look for courtesy of Park.

This barrier-restoring mask is the ultimate multi-purpose product; you can use it as an overnight mask, after a sunburn, and whenever you need a quick burst of hydration.

Customer Reviews:

"This is a great product for dry, sensitive skin. It does have fragrance, but my sensitive skin has not reacted to it. A little goes a long way, so I consider it worth the price if you want to add a mask to your regimen as needed." —Lo

Generally, masks with activated charcoal could be drying to the skin; not so with this mask, which also has Manuka honey, a humectant that draws in moisture to maintain skin's natural balance.

Customer Reviews:

"Left my skin feeling soft and supple. I have dry sensitive skin and have to be careful with masks, they tend to leave me with dry flaky patches but not this one. I love the smell too, very relaxing and spa like." —Tduke

This sheet mask comes from Park's own skincare line. "My travels to South Korea inspired the creation of the Gwangcha Radiant Tea Complex, a blend of Korean tea extracts, white lotus, peptides, and botanicals," says the derm.

If you love the luxury of doing a sheet mask, these hydrogel masks check a lot of boxes: They replenish hydration in just 15 minutes, they're non-comedogenic, and they're travel-friendly.

Customer Reviews:

"If you have extremely dry, flaky skin I definitely recommend these. My face is so dry I get flaky patches on my forehead nose and chin. These help restore some moisture and sooth my dry skin. I always keep these on hand, they really work wonders."

If your skin looks a little lackluster or you spent too much time in the sun, this vitamin-enriched mask with soothing aloe hydrates and soothes in minutes.

What our Editor says:

"Most hydrating face masks promise a plumper complexion, but rarely deliver. This mask gives my skin an instant boost of moisture and has a calming rose and jasmine scent that turns my bathroom into a spa." – Katie Intner, Associate Beauty Editor

At night, swap this creamy lavender mask in for your moisturizer. Thanks to the bakuchiol (a plant-based alternative for retinol), nutrient-rich goat milk, and peptides, you'll wake up glowing.

Customer Reviews:

"Love this sleep mask! I bought it for the first time as I love Beekman products and this is the first time I'm writing a review as its so creamy, relaxing and just wonderfully hydrating! Scent isn't too overbearing at all very clean scent. Love the purple color." —Susan

Though this caviar-enriched mask is rich, it also absorbs into skin quickly. Use the enclosed brush to paint it onto skin for an extra-luxurious skin-pampering moment.

Customer Reviews:

"I was worried that the sleeping mask would go all over my pillow, but this product absorbs so quick! The next morning I feel my skin softer and brighter than ever! It's no doubt an expensive sleeping mask, but compare to other products from La Prairie, this price for this size of product and the results, it's worth it!" —Ali1716

Whether it's due to sunburn, over-exfoliating, or the environment, this refreshing gel mask is heaven if your skin has been through it lately. Plus, at a whopping five ounces, one jar will last you for a long time.

Customer Reviews:

"I have used this for the past year and it helps so much to soothe and instant decrease dryness when I overdo ahas/bhas/clay masks." —Shaav

Multiple forms of hyaluronic acid are the star in this cream mask, but it also helps address loss of firmness, uneven tone and texture, as well as redness.

Customer Reviews:

"Feels great on the skin. Hydrates wonderfully and softens." —April

EltaMD is one of our go-tos for sunscreen, but the rest of their skincare range deserves your attention too. Case in point: This overnight mask, which helps encourage skin's natural repair process while you sleep to improve hydration and leave it looking brighter when you wake up.

Customer Reviews:

"This moisturizer is the perfect consistency for an overnight mask. I have acne prone skin and EltaMd is the only brand of moisturizers that doesn’t break me out. This is great to add to your winter night routine." —Alyssa

This lightweight gel-cream formula puts the focus on one of skin's favorite moisturizing ingredients, squalane. You can use it when skin needs extra TLC, or as you would a nighttime moisturizer.

Customer Reviews:

"I really like how moisturizing and soft it makes my face feel the next morning. It leaves my face dewy and plump. The texture is like a very thick moisturizer, but it blends into skin very well." —rocketr5

This calming mask has been a cult-favorite for years, and was reformulated in 2021 to be fragrance-free. Many fans also love using it with prescription retinoids, as it helps calm irritation.

Customer Reviews:

"I live this mask. After I got to the hotel I used it for the first time. Left my face feeling soft and clean. Felt refreshed! Definitely will add to my routine."

Sunny yellow and pleasantly thick, this overnight mask is really just an ultra rich night cream that tackles the one-two punch of dryness and dullness.

Customer Reviews:

"After using this product for over a month, I am in love with it. It leaves my skin more softer and hydrated. It's vegan friendly so it's a plus for me!"

Unlike regular under-eye patches, these hydrogel masks cover the entire cheek for extra skincare love. Even better, they're packed with tremella mushroom, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, and more ingredients parched skin loves.

Customer Reviews:

"Love how soft and soothing these are. Great size and a perfect way to pamper myself when I need something a little extra for my skin."—Monica L

Made with actual Greek yogurt, aloe leaf juice, and rice extract, this is the spruced-up version of a nourishing DIY yogurt mask (that actually works).

Customer Reviews:

"I find this is a go-to mask that I like to keep on hand when my skin is just not optimal. It’s easy to apply and rinse off; has a slight smell that I would just say is kinda interesting- not good, not bad." —lisalis

This mask is made with real geothermal bioactive seawater from the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, which is rich in over 20 electrolytes. The result is a gel mask that can be used daily, weekly, or overnight to deeply hydrate skin.

Customer Reviews:

"This is my favorite product from my visit to the Blue Lagoon! It is so hydrating and feels like silk on your skin! Absolutely love it!"

Simply put, hydrating masks "combine intensely hydrating ingredients and a moment of self-indulgent skincare," says Park. "Hydrating masks replenish moisture in sun-parched skin, post-procedure after laser or microneedling procedures, and also deeply hydrate skin during winter months." However, Park notes that, depending on your skin type and needs, these products are "an all-year, all-season skincare essential."

Humectants like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and aloe vera can be excellent additions to a hydrating face mask. In addition, Park recommends ceramides: "Ceramides are fatty acids in the skin that help to maintain the skin barrier and retain moisture and hydration," explains the derm. "Found at high concentrations within cell membranes, ceramides hold skin cells together, forming a protective layer that plumps skin and maintains long-term moisture."

In addition, she recommends products that contains peptides. "Aside from being essential to the skin’s structure and function (contribute in firmness, texture and overall skin health), peptides play a critical role in cellular function," Park explains. "Peptides act as a biologic messenger, signaling the body to heal and repair. In aging skin or prematurely aging skin, those peptides might signal your skin to boost its production of collagen and hyaluronic acid, working to plump, firm, and hydrate skin."

Unlike masks with harsher ingredients, you have more wiggle room with a hydrating mask. "Three to five times per week is ideal," says Park, although she adds that "Even once a week you will feel and see a difference."

As for when to apply, the derm recommends right after a shower when skin is damp, to lock in moisture. "I like to finish my day with a deep cleanse regimen and a hydrating sheet mask," says Park. "A perfect time to do this is after the kids are in bed and I leave it on for about 45 minutes."

Lindy Segal is a beauty writer and editor. In addition to regularly contributing to BAZAAR.COM, she also writes for Glamour, People, WhoWhatWear, and Fashionista, among other publications. She lives in New York City with her Chihuahua mix, Barney.

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