If it seems like face masks have been around forever, that’s because they have.
The earliest forms of painted-on masks for skincare use go back thousands of years. They were used not only for ritual, but for beauty and even skin protection. Early SPF was created by Egyptians using pastes made with rice bran, jasmine, and lupine extracts.
Even the origins of sheet masks are older than you might imagine. Ancient cultures in China, Japan, and Korea used cloths and compresses soaked in herbal or floral water concoctions to sooth and nourish skin.
Even basic natural clay or honey masks have been used for detoxification or clarity over the past few decades, and then the modern iteration of sheet masks with their disposable serum-soaked sheets took off in the early 2000s.
My theory is that we moved away from all these masks when we began to understand that great skin relies on the consistency of a good routine. Masks began to be understood as unsuccessfully reaching for a short term fix for a longer-term challenge. As our skincare literacy increased, we started seeking a more balanced routine – the ol’ cleanse, nourish and protect skin.
With that little history lesson complete, get ready for the next wave of masks as a beauty must-have. (I’m not taking about the LED-mask versions, although they are brilliant too. )
As a beauty editor, I’ve noticed a recent return to skincare masks used to target specific skin concerns more intensely than a regular cleanser or moisturiser.
They are designed to offer an extra helping hand to a well-rounded routine, rather than just a ‘dip-in-occasionally, but do nothing else’ addition.
Here’s what I’m loving right now:
Raeso Lunar Veil Chrono-Active Sleep Mask
New Zealand founded skincare brand Raeso’s range is built around research that shows when we apply products can be as impactful as what we apply. Lunar Veil Chrono-Active Sleep Mask is an overnight treatment containing Ceramides, Mānuka Honey and gentle acids that works with the skin’s natural overnight repair process for fresher, brighter and smoother skin.
It’s thick and nourishing, like you can feel it locking all the goodness in after you apply.
MSSKIN’s Turmeric Vitamin C Clay Mask
Don’t be nervous about the bold yellow colour of this paint-on mask. It’s the world’s first stain-free turmeric clay mask, boasting all the brightening and anti-inflammatory benefits of the spice without that famous lingering hue. Turmeric contains curcumin, a potent bioactive compound known for its ability to help calm inflammation reduce oxidative stress, so this mask is good as a calming, recovery option for stressed or congested skin.
L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Filler Glass Skin Hydrogel Glow Mask
This is a modern twist on a tissue-soaked serum mask. All about delivering deeply-hydrated skin with a sheen like ‘glass,’ the mask is made from hydrogel designed to release and infuse your skin with hydrating and barrier strengthening soothing actives. It started out white, but turns clear as it gets to work. Unlike other sheet masks, its meant to be left on longer, around 90 minutes instead of 10-15.
We love this mask, from the two pieces that fit more comfortably to the real glow it delivers. A ‘night-before-an event’ winner.
Rhode Caffeine Reset Sculpting Cream Mask,
Like a cup of coffee for your face, this one tightening and smooths, and puts a little bit of pep in your skin. Caffeine aims to reduces the appearance of puffiness and the brand’s beloved peptides are used to give tired-looking skin a bit of life.
Emma Lewisham Supernatural Sleeping Mask
The colour of grape Hubba Bubba, we’re obsessed with this mask formula. Like giving your skin the ultimate nourishing multi-vitamin smoothie before bed, it’s includes 22 active ingredients and is proven to increase collagen production, helping skin look brighter, firmer and just all-round fabulous by morning. We reach for it when skin is dull, you feel tired, or the regular routine needs something a little more intensive.
