Who doesn’t love a good face mask as part of a relaxing nighttime routine? But beyond the standard 15 to 20 minutes of “apply this mask to clean skin and then rinse off” maybe we could be digging deeper into the benefits of different kinds of masks. So if you’re looking for the best anti-aging face masks to make your skin look plumper and 10 years younger, which masks should you really be using if you want results?
With the help of dermatologists, plastic surgeons and medical aestheticians, we rounded up the best anti-aging face masks to make your skin age in reverse.
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We spoke with medical aesthetician, Cassandra Bankson, about skincare that actually works and she shared her expert opinion on the best anti-aging masks and their unique benefits for your skin. “Face masks are amazing — it’s the one step in a skincare routine that forces you to take 10-20 minutes and focus on just you, and your skin!” She continues, “I always try to incorporate face masks into treatments for clients / patients, as well as use them in my routine personally.” But what’s the difference between sheet masks, clay masks, exfoliating masks, and more? Most importantly, what’s best for those who want to help decrease the look of fine lines and wrinkles?
Bankson explained, “a clay mask, cleansing mask, or any rinse-off mask should usually be applied before a cleanser, or right after a cleanser as a second cleanse. These are normally helpful to clear and cleanse the sun, and often have clays to help remove oil and dirt from pores.”
She shared that fundamentally, these are very different than sheet masks. "Sheet masks are potent serums, suspended in a delivery system — a (usually cotton) sheet mask, literally! These serums sit on the skin and are pushed in further by the mask, which also helps reduce evaporation, allowing more product to stay on, and soak into the skin. Serums can be potent, but sheet masks can really up the ante when it comes to concentrations of active ingredients and efficacy.”
Up for something a little more adventurous, with major anti-aging payoff? There are special treatment masks such as LED light therapy masks that you might want to try. But beware—it is important with treatments like this to find a reliable and scientifically-tested option. “LED facemasks actually have quite a bit of scientific data and validation behind them,” explains Bankson.
”I’ve personally been skeptical, but use these on clients and myself, as the evidence shows they can help to kill acne bacteria as well as promote skin cell turnover and wound healing. Certain wavelengths can even promote collagen support deep within the skin.”
Along with Bankson, Dr Michael Keyes explains his favorite face mask that celebrities also swear by: “I like the Skinceuricals Glycolic 10 Overnight Mask because its a gentle exfoliant that brightens the skin wonderfully! It’s a sleep mask that is fragrance free and worth the price for glowing skin.”
Bankson adds, “Most celebrities use acids and exfoliating treatments on a weekly basis. Glycolic acid is an amazing ingredient, a type of alpha hydroxy acid thy has a very small molecule, meaning that it can try to get a little bit deeper into the skin. Glycolic acid is also good at adding a little bit of hydration to the skin and plumping some of the superficial skin layers. This is excellent news for those that are looking to treat fine lines and wrinkles.”
So when it comes to face masks, there are thousands on the market, but knowing which ones doctors, dermatologists and experts recommend helps us narrow down the endless options to a select few that will do what we need and want them to do so our skin can look and feel amazing.
