Photo: Candice Swanepoel

Skin

Ten Face Masks To Cocoon Your Winter Skin

These hydrating masks are the saviors your skin is looking for.

Text Başak Ulubilgen

February 7, 2024

Wintertime can be a hassle. Although the season has its cozy moments, the ever-fluctuating temperatures drastically change our skin. Our once-glowing complexion often becomes dull, irritated, flaky, and, worst of all, very dry. This unsolicited transformation requires us to take better care of our skin, and nothing beats a good face mask. Besides, is there anything better than putting on a calming, hydrating mask while you kick back and watch your favorite show? We gathered a list of efficient ones to help restore your parched skin to its glowing self.

Avène Tolérance Extrême Mask, $34

With its preservative-free, fragrance-free, and paraben-free formula, this mask is suitable for sensitive and hypersensitive skin types; the formula contains only seven essential ingredients to moisturize your thirsty skin without irritating it. An Avène classic, thermal spring water helps calm the skin, while shea butter and safflower oil moisturize and nourish.

Biologique Recherche Masque Visolastine+, Price upon request

An ideal one for extremely dehydrated skin, the foolproof mask has a combination of hydrating agents, like hyaluronic acid, natural moisturizing sugar complex, and plant-based Polysaccharides. It also helps protect the skin barrier with Vitamin E, macadamia nut, and cotton oils for lipid-replenishing purposes.

Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask, $44

With aloe vera, mango butter, algae, olive, panthenol and wheat bran extracts, this classic from Clinique aims to soothe, nourish, and moisturize the skin overnight.

Cocokind Chia Bounce Mask, $22

With a rich formula, Cocokind’s Chia Bounce Mask can be used as an overnight mask or as a daytime hydrator. Rich in antioxidants, the soaked chia seeds help retain water for the skin barrier. Vitamin B5 (a.k.a panthenol) works to smooth and soften. Two molecular weights of hyaluronic acid provide hydration, and niacinamide-rich spirulina helps even skin tone. Here’s a mask that is not afraid to use an exciting set of ingredients to cure your winter blues.

Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial, $54 at Sephora

F-Balm contains a cocktail of electrolytes that help maintain the hydration levels in your skin, improve barrier strength and lipid content, reduce redness, and protect against dehydration. It also contains hyaluronic acid, as well as Vitamin F, which comes in the form of tiny beads in the mask’s formula that burst during application. These bursting beads help soothe the skin during cold months. You can use it as the last step in your nighttime skincare routine or as an overnight mask.

I'm From Honey Mask, $26,60

Honey has always been a great ingredient to calm irritated skin and lock in moisture. The anti-inflammatory benefits and the natural glow come from the 38.7% South Korean honey in the formulation. The combination of various oils (like argan, hazel, and jojoba) and shea butter help deeply moisturize the skin. Like many Korean skincare products, the Honey Mask also contains snail mucin and bee venom to improve skin texture.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Overnight Rehydrating Mask with 10.5% Squalane, ‎$45

The squalene in this unique formula stabilizes the moisture barrier for firmer skin, and it also has the hydrating and moisturizing Glacial Glycoprotein (sourced from glaciers in an environmentally-friendly manner), a staple in Kiehl’s Ultra Facial line. With its paraben-free and fragrance-free formula, it can be a great one for sensitive or reactive skin types. The texture starts as a balm but turns into a luxurious oil once applied to the skin. We love using it as an overnight mask, gentle cleansing balm, or a 15-minute treatment.

Marie Veronique Micronutrient + Hydro Mask, $135

Composed of “supernutrients,” as the brand calls it, like EGCG, squalene, B vitamins, sodium PCA, and arginine, this mask is rich in antioxidants and moisturizing agents. It enhances collagen production, helps restore the skin barrier, and moisturizes dull skin. When worn during a flight or overnight, it helps provide intensive moisture repair.

Pai Resurrection Girl Hydrating Mask, €49

This mask's number one aim is to give your skin the hydration it deserves. The key ingredient is the resurrection plant, that's known to bring itself back to life from complete dehydration and survive even on arid grounds. Here, it aims to do the same for your dry skin. It also has a calming light blue hue, thanks to the blue tansy oil, which is known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The list of ingredients is completed with hyaluronic acid, and pentavitin —a plant-derived carbohydrate complex near-identical to those found in the skin— which helps strengthen the skin barrier.

Sisley Velvet Sleeping Mask with Saffron Flowers, $165

With thyme honey, shea butter, and saffron flower extract, the Velvet Sleeping Mask helps soothe and restore dry skin, and a plant-based cocktail of oils and flower extracts nourishes and moisturizes while you’re sleeping. It also works as a mighty SOS hydration mask.

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