Sunscreen, serum, and moisturizer may be the staples of your skin-care routine, but when your daily regimen just isn’t quite cutting it, no product offers as much of a fast fix as a face mask. Whether used as part of a Sunday self-care moment or a pick-me-up before a big event, masks can—almost instantly—do everything from hydrate to brighten, making them a worthwhile add-on to any existing product protocol. So we tapped top dermatologists to find out which ones they reach for on the regular (because yes, even their skin needs a little extra TLC sometimes).
Defenage 2-Minute Reveal Masque ($74)
“I love using this mask once a week to keep my skin fresh and bright and to help optimize absorption of other products. It contains ultrafine sugar crystals and papaya, pumpkin, and pomegranate enzymes that gently exfoliate to remove dead cells. Soothing sea whip balances the exfoliating properties of the enzymes and leaves my skin rosy and glowing. After cleansing and drying, I apply a quarter-size dollop of the mask to my face and jawline. I massage it in with dry fingertips for 20 seconds, but you can do less, depending on your skin sensitivity. Once it’s washed off, I can move forward with the rest of my routine.” —Dr. Rebecca Marcus, a board-certified dermatologist in Dallas
Dr. Franz Anti-Aging Dual Mask System ($60)
“This is the mask I use most often. I usually use it after in-office treatments, such as an IPL or Morpheus8, and always before I go on camera. It’s super-gentle and hydrating.” —Dr. Janet Allenby, a board-certified dermatologist in Delray Beach, Florida
Avène Soothing Radiance Mask ($26)
“One of my personal favorites, I reach for this when my skin is feeling dry, overstressed, or irritated as a result of weather-related elements or hormones. It works wonders to recover the skin’s natural barrier while boosting hydration. After cleansing my skin, I use it as a treatment in the morning, but it can also be used as an overnight mask. I always put it on my neck and chest, areas most people overlook. It’s important to remember to treat this area the same way you do the skin on your face.” —Dr. Elyse Love, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
Elysée YouthSpan A.G.E. Control Gel Therapy Masque ($29.95)
“This is really the only mask I use regularly. You’re supposed to leave it on for from 15 minutes to an hour, but I just keep it on my skin, either in the morning before applying other products or overnight. It has the most incredible ingredients, including two kinds of hyaluronic acid for hydration and antioxidant-rich red algae extract that protects against blue light and airborne pollutants. It even has antiglycation effects. I use it at least a few times per week to prevent and correct signs of aging and for the plumping and smoothing benefits.” —Dr. Sheryl Clark, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
Peter Thomas Roth Therapeutic Sulfur Acne Masque ($52)
“When I—or my patients—deal with acne, this is one of my go-to masks. It’s made with 10% maximum-strength sulfur, purifying kaolin clay, and bentonite clay, helps reduce acne-related irritation, and is even good for rosacea-prone skin. I have sensitive skin and can attest that it’s gentle yet extremely effective—just use it no more than three times per week.” —Dr. Love
Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels ($33)
“This is the best thing I’ve found for the temporary reduction of lower-eyelid puffiness. Apply these eye masks for 20 minutes, and they’ll help smooth the lower eyelid skin before an event or photos or after a long night or overnight flight. I used them all the time pre-pandemic, when I traveled constantly and had photo shoots, TV appearances, and big events.” —Dr. Heidi Waldorf, a board-certified dermatologist in Nanuet, New York
Boscia Luminizing Black Charcoal Mask ($34)
“Another mask in my rotation is this one-of-a-kind peel-off formula that does the trick when I want to decrease oiliness and refine pores. I apply a thick layer to clean skin and let it sit for 30 minutes before peeling it off. I recommend using it only once or twice weekly, but if you have really oily skin, you could use it up to three times per week.” —Dr. Love
Charlotte Tilbury Cryo-Recovery Face Mask ($55)
“This is one of my go-tos when I want to sculpt and refresh my face, but don’t have a lot of time. This mask uses powerful cryotherapy and acupressure technology to lift and firm skin, leaving your complexion smoother, brighter, and more youthful-looking. It only takes 10 minutes, which means I can actually fit it into my schedule, even on hectic days! I like to use this before an evening out to wake up my face after a long day of work. I also use this mask in conjunction with my skin-care routine, to really boost the absorption of my topical products, in addition to the brightening and contouring benefits.” —Dr. Dendy Engelman, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Baby Facial ($80)
“Even as a dermatologist, I can be persuaded to try a product that gets a ton of great reviews, and this was one of them. I have to say, it lives up to the hype. It contains a 25% concentration of a combination of alpha hydroxy acids, plus niacinamide, oils, and cross-linked hyaluronic acid, to soothe the skin and combat any irritation the acids may cause. The mask-peel hybrid is meant to be applied to the skin once a week for 20 minutes, however, it’s hard for me to realistically carve out 20 minutes each week. I use it about once per month, mostly when my skin looks particularly dull and tired and needs a boost—or when I don’t have the downtime to get a professional peel. Whenever I do use it, it’s worth it.” —Dr. Lindsey Yeh, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Gatos, California
