Darlings, do you ever bundle up in your robe and slippers and settle in for some R&R for the night? Have you ever used a face mask to relax and refresh your skin? I am seeing face masks advertised everywhere. There are sheet masks as well as liquid masks that dry on your face. There are ones that are made as single-use sheets and ones you can DIY at home. But not all face masks are the same obviously and there are tons of different ingredients in each mask. So how do you know which ones are right for aging skin? Today, I decided to look into ingredients often advertised in face masks to help you determine which one is right for your skin.

Charcoal

There are a lot of charcoal masks on the market. So what does charcoal do? Charcoal attracts dirt and other impurities from your pores and then those impurities are washed away when you rinse your face.

Popular masks that contain charcoal:

Clinique City Block Purifying Charcoal Clay Mask + Scrub – Buy it here: $28 at Saks Fifth Avenue

Boscia Charcoal Pore Pudding Intense Wash-Off Treatment – Buy it here: $38 at Sephora

Yogurt

I like yogurt as a breakfast food, but it can also be used in a mask if your face is dry. As an ingredient, yogurt contains lactic acid which helps diminish fine lines by tightening skin and shrinking pores. Yogurt is also protein-rich which can help repair damaged skin. It turns out it’s also good for your skin if you eat it so whether it’s in a mask or in a parfait it’s good for you!

Popular masks that contain yogurt:

FarmHouse Fresh Pajama Paste Soothing Active Yogurt Mask – Buy it here: $23 at Dermstore

ORGAID Greek Yogurt & Nourishing Organic Sheet Mask Box – Buy it here: $42 at Dermstore

Milk Shake Active Yogurt Mask – Buy it here: $11.99 at Walmart

Avocado oil

Another of my favorite breakfast foods is also making an appearance on this mask list!  Avocado oil helps with moisture, but also heals. Avocado oil can help calm itchy or chapped skin.

Popular masks that contain avocado oil:

Michael Todd Beauty Avocado & Mango Ultra Hydrating Mask- Buy it here: $15.97 at Hautelook

Sephora Collection Face Mask – Avocado – Buy it here: $6 at Sephora

ORIGINS Drink Up™ Intensive Overnight Mask to Quench Skin’s Thirst – Buy it here: $27 at Origins

Plant stem cells  

I know what you’re thinking … this seems very medical and maybe a little strange. The main purpose of stem cells is anti-aging. Stem cells contain growth components which help to repair skin specifically collagen and elastin as well as proteins.

Popular masks that contain stem cells:

The Eden Instant Lift Face Mask Is the Ultimate Wrinkle Reducer and Stem Cell Therapy Sheet Mask- Created By Celebrity Facialist Joanna Vargas – Buy it here: $75 at Amazon

Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Gel Mask – Buy it here: $52 at Sephora

Aloe

This is meant to be calming to the skin. Aloe is chock full of vitamins and minerals to help soothe skin.

Popular masks that contain aloe:

Kiehl’s Since 1851 Calendula & Aloe Soothing Hydration Mask- Buy it here: $45 at Saks Fifth Avenue

Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Mask Extreme Detoxifying Hydrator – Buy it here: $52 at Sephora

Dr. Jart+ Dermask Water Jet Soothing Hydra Solution – Buy it here: $6 at Sephora 

Clay

If you struggle with oily skin, masks with clay might be right for you. Clay absorbs oil in your skin and helps to wash it away.

Popular clay masks:

Glamglow flashmud – Buy it here: $22 at Bloomingdale’s 

Fresh Umbrian clay – Buy it here: $62 at fresh

PÜR Dirty Girl Detoxifying Mudd Masque w/ Pascalite Clay – Buy it here: $29 at Ulta

I hope that helps decode some of the ingredients that show up in our skin care products and I hope you are taking care of yourself with all the stress of the season! Take a few minutes and try a mask! It will make your skin feel great.