Gooey masks make everyone look the same, but in reality we’re all different. For example, the best face masks for mature skin might not include clay masks, which are better suited for oily or acne-prone skin. If you have the issues that come with a mature skin type, you definitely don’t want to waste your time on ineffective formulas.
Over the years, skin characteristics change in both obvious and less obvious ways. So even if you stick to a thorough, diligent skincare routine, you may notice a decrease in elasticity (a decrease in the quality and quantity of collagen) and an increase in discoloration. But most importantly, mature skin starts to become much drier than it was when you were younger.
“As you age, your skin’s ability to retain water decreases, causing it to become dry,” says Blair Murphy-Ross, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “Dry skin can appear dull and make fine lines more noticeable.” So while you may have collected oil-absorbing, acne-busting face masks in your 20s, your skin needs a change of priorities now. And by “priorities,” we mean ingredients.
“Using humectants like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, and glycerin can immediately improve dry skin and fine lines, bringing more moisture to the surface and plumping up the skin,” says Dr. Murphy-Rose. Ingredients like shea butter and colloidal oatmeal can deeply moisturize and soothe dry skin, which can help it rejuvenate, adds Dr. Murphy-Rose.
In addition to moisturizing ingredients, Dr. Brendan Kemp, a board-certified dermatologist who also lives in New York City, says people with mature skin should consider antioxidants when shopping for a mask. “Free radicals damage cellular structures like DNA, lipids, and proteins, which can lead to the formation of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots,” he says. Exfoliation and cell turnover are especially important for mature skin to look and feel its best, so he also recommends masks with retinol and alpha hydroxy acid (AHA).
We know there’s a lot to consider, so instead of leaving you to dig in on your own, we followed the experts’ advice and created a shopping list of the best face masks for mature skin.
Best for Redness: Caudalie Vinosource-Hydra Hydrating Mask
Why it’s worth it: “Enriched with organic grape water, centella asiatica extract, and antioxidant grape polyphenols, this mask is the ideal rescue mask for dry, sensitive, and irritated skin.” Camp. The creamy formula of the Caudalie Vinosource-Hydra Hydrating Mask is rich enough to address the problem of mature skin that no longer locks in moisture like it used to, but it’s not heavy on the hydration, leaving skin feeling nourished throughout each 10-minute mask session. It never feels suffocated.
Best for Chronic Dry Skin: EltaMD Skin Restoring Night Mask
Why it’s worth it: “EltaMD Skin Restoring Night Mask is a hydrating mask that repairs a damaged skin barrier,” EltaMD Skin Restoring Night Mask is a hydrating mask that repairs a damaged skin barrier. Murphy Ross. By repairing mature skin’s barrier, improving its ability to lock in moisture, and eliminating free radical irritation, your skin will look radiant after a good night’s sleep.
Best for Dull Skin: Kate Somerville Mega C 30% Vitamin C Brightening Facial
Why It’s Worth It: Now an Allure Best of Beauty Award winner, the Kate Somerville Mega C 30% Vitamin C Brightening Facial goes to work first to combat discoloration and dullness that keep skin from looking radiant. But it’s no one-trick wonder: It delivers skin-firming, barrier-boosting hydration while delivering brightening benefits for uneven skin tone.
Best for Loss of Elasticity: Fresh Red Tea Peptide Firming Overnight Mask
Why It’s Worth It: If your night cream isn’t doing the trick anymore, you can use the Fresh Red Tea Peptide Firming Overnight Mask every night. Dr. Camp loves it because its ingredients tighten, firm, and hydrate skin. “The black tea complex improves skin elasticity, and the hyaluronic acid adds hydration,” he says.
Best for Stressed Skin: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Instant Oatmeal Mask
Why It’s Worth It: If typical skin aging concerns go hand in hand with noticeable stress from the daily wear and tear of life irritants go hand in hand, suggests Dr. Murphy-Rose First Aid Beauty Ultra-Repairing Instant Oatmeal Mask. “Colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, and sea buckthorn provide intense hydration for dry skin while soothing, nourishing, and protecting the skin barrier,” she says. Once you start using it, you won’t believe how soft and comfortable your skin feels.
Best for Hyperpigmentation: Lancer Skincare Overnight Brightening Mask
Why it’s worth it: While other overnight masks can be used nightly, the Lancer Skincare Overnight Brightening Mask is so potent that you can use it more than three times a week. When skin concerns like dullness and sun damage can’t be ignored, this formula targets hyperpigmentation concerns by combining ingredients known to effectively fight dark spots.
Best Aftercare: Shani Darden Signature Nourishing Mask
Why it’s worth it: Shani Darden created her Signature Nourishing Mask as a post-treatment mask, but you can also think of it as a post-30s mask because of its effectiveness. Its clay base doesn’t dry out the skin by absorbing excess oil — mature skin isn’t immune to breakouts and acne either — it delivers moisture, antioxidants and soothes dehydrated, stressed complexions.
Best for preventing moisture loss: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Overnight Moisture Mask with 10.5% Squalane
Why it’s worth it: Although the Allure of Beauty Award-winning Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Overnight Moisture Mask with 10.5% Squalane has “overnight” in its name. Camping can also be used as a targeted 15-minute treatment. “Squalane is a lipid extracted from sugar cane that helps maintain the integrity of the skin barrier to improve hydration,” he says of the star ingredient that keeps dryness at bay for hours.
Best Renewal: Nudestix Nudeskin Tight + Bright Face Mask
Why it’s worth it: Resurfacing the skin and removing dead skin cells is an important part of keeping mature skin as radiant as possible, which is why, says Dr. Camp, “alpha hydroxy acids gently exfoliate to reduce the appearance of dull skin.” The Nudestix Nudeskin Tight + Bright Mask does just that with its mandelic acid, which works with niacinamide to reduce redness and lock in much-needed moisture. The mask has a gel formula (bright green!), which according to Dr. Camp makes it easier for ingredients to penetrate.
Lightest: True Botanicals Hydrating Overnight Mask
Why it’s worth it: Considering how lightweight the Allure Best of Beauty award-winning True Botanicals Hydrating Overnight Mask is, it’s truly amazing how hydrating it delivers. Organic mango butter makes this possible, while humectants like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and aloe “bring more moisture to the surface of the skin to help plump it up,” says Dr. Camp. Murphy-Rose.
Best Multitasker: Embryolisse Lait Creme Sensitive
Why It’s Worth It: OK, technically it’s not a mask, but here’s a tip from Dr. Murphy-Rose: “Embryolisse Lait Creme Sensitive is a rich, hypoallergenic moisturizer that can also be used as a night mask,” she says. It’s designed for sensitive skin of all ages (even babies) because its intensely hydrating shea butter, beeswax, soy protein, and aloe are super soothing. But these ingredients are especially effective for mature skin that’s experienced the ups and downs of aging.
Best for Plumping Skin: Jan Marini Hyla3D Mask
Why It’s Worth It: The Jan Marini Hyla3D Mask contains a variety of forms of hyaluronic acid, which, according to Dr. Jan Marini, naturally occurs in the dermis and helps attract and retain moisture. “Improved hydration helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and makes skin appear plumper and more elastic,” he says. This concentrated mask not only hydrates, but also delivers the revitalizing and skin-supporting benefits of peptides and ceramides.
Best for Clogged Pores: PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Night Mask
Why it’s worth it: “PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Night Mask is packed with hydrating and soothing ingredients — including hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and panthenol — to hydrate and regenerate skin overnight,” explains Dr. Murphy-Rose. Using it as the last step in your nighttime routine will have you waking up to plumper, more radiant skin, she says.
