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Editor Tip: Don’t forget your serum and moisturizer before applying this facial mask. Keeping it in the family, we like Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Sensitive Skin Serum and the Cicapair Sensitive Skin Moisturizer.
Key Ingredients: Centella asiatica, allantoin | Who It’s For: People with redness or dullness
Best for Scarring: Rosen Smooth Jelly Face Mask
Why It’s Worth It: Struggling with scarring? Dueling with dark spots? Rallying against redness? Okay, okay, you get it, and so does the Rosen Smooth Jelly Face Mask. This weekly mask’s formula smooths and evens out skin tone, thanks to lactic acid, yogurt, and cucumber extracts. Use three to four pumps for 15 minutes at a time — and in conjunction with your existing scar treatment routine for the best effects.
Editor’s Tip: If you have sensitive skin, do a patch test before going all in.
Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, yogurt extracts, cucumber extracts | Who It’s For: People with moderate to severe dark spots and uneven texture
Frequently Asked Questions
How do face masks work?
Face masks are “designed to deliver high concentrations of active ingredients to your skin,” Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, tells Allure. David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology in NYC, confirms that it’s essential not to use them more than the product-recommended frequency. “Generally speaking, masks are used intermittently to help give your skin a boost when it needs it,” Dr. Kim explains.
How do I use a face mask?
The exact way to use a face mask generally depends on the type of mask you’re using. “You can get masks for clarifying, brightening, hydrating, soothing, or anti-aging,” explains Claire Wolinsky, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in NYC. “You should test the ingredients of the mask on your hand first if you have sensitive skin, and always keep it on for the least number of minutes [the brand recommends] the first time using it.” After applying the mask and letting it dry, wash it off with water (or a gentle cleanser if it’s an acid-based mask) and apply moisturizer. Dr. Wolinsky suggests not using drying masks more than twice a week, but you can use hydrating masks more often.
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
