I'm gonna explain this like we’re on FaceTime
Why the face mask volatility lately?
I had a conversation with my friend who lives in New York last week and she mentioned how with when the seasons change, her face gets really mad at her. I’ve been there. My kryptonite is when I travel and apparently when I’m expecting 👀.
Since I’m a beauty nerd and have been a “beauty” influencer for over a decade, this is my bread and butter. I told her she needs a mask! Then she asked the dreaded question, “Okay, but which one?”
It got me thinking, why are face masks so volatile? Some are $2 and others are $200. What makes a good face mask? Which ones are worth the money and which ones are just water drenched paper? Do I need a charcoal mask? What is bio-cellulose? I swear I learned about that in 9th grade science class.
I did some digging and thought that as girlfriend to girlfriend, you’ll want to nerd out with me. In case it’s too much for you, I put my top 3 masks here. But either way, you should probably read the post because I spent a lot of time on it and we’re besties right?
Best for oily skin - Caudalie
Clay Mask
Only 10 minutes
Tightens pore & controls oil
Best for hydration - Biodance
Can leave on for 3-4 hours or overnight
Deep hydration
Makes your skin look “glasslike” after
Best for quick results - Dr. Jart
Works in 15-20 mins
Dry lines are less visible
Skin stays hydrated for 8 hours
Want to know which one is best for your skin? Keep reading!
In this column you’ll find:
👀 The dreaded question my friend asked me about masks
🏡 Finally hiring a new house helper after months of waiting
📺 My latest TV rewatches and new shows in rotation
💆♀️ The real deal on which masks are worth your money
⬆️ This week’s highs: I finally hired a new house helper. This is one of those Goliath tasks that seemed impossible until it was done. I’ve had 3 house helpers in the last 3 years and loved every one of them. This one seems really great too. We started to hire after Mimi went to school and we no longer had a nanny. I talked a lot about what my house helper does in this post here. I finally hired a new woman after my last one unexpectedly moved in May, and I didn’t think I could manage hiring & training someone new in my first trimester as an invalid. It feels good to get help again.
📰 In case you missed it…
⬇️ This week’s lows: I don’t believe in crafting a low just to have one. Things is relatively good right now. Time is a scarcity, but that seems like a blessing. How lucky we are to have people to see, children to love, and a home to tidy.
Can you do me a favor? If you like this, will you hit the heart ❤️ at the bottom of your email? I pinky promise it helps me and will only take you a second!
It’s been about 5 years that I’ve been singing the praises of this Kbeauty brand moisturizer. If you are someone who likes a lighter, more water-like consistency that isn’t heavy, you gotta try this. It’s 25% off right now making it $30.
This lip smoothie was something I first used when I went to Portugal a few weeks ago and was immediately impressed. I hate the feeling of tacky lips but when climate changes my lips tend to crack. This is the perfect lip balm and Sah steals mine all the time.
I’ve actually been killing it on my TV game (is that a good thing?) I finished my rewatch of Desperate Housewives, I watched The Summer I Turned Pretty (#teamLaurel) and I even started a new show called The Girlfriend and I truly can’t figure out who I’m rooting for.
What’s the deal with face masks?
Okay I’m going to answer all of your questions based on my research, experience, and the fact that I’m an enthusiast who just likes to study these things. I’m also going to make recommendations for which ones I think are best to try, and funny enough when I was pulling these almost all are Kbeauty. That wasn’t intentional, they truly are just ones that I’ve tried and loved.
What’s with the price differentiation?
There’s a few reasons for this (aside from branding and marketing)
The most obvious would be the formulation and ingredients. Some basic hydrators (like glycerin, aloe, or hyaluronic acid) on a sheet would be really cheap to make. If you add in stabilized actives (vitamin C derivatives, retinoids, peptides, or biotech ingredients) that require more R&D and in turn, more expensive products.
Packaging matters. A single cotton sheet is basically pennies to make, but a hydrogel mask would be more expensive and then a glass jar of a clay mask would be even more.
What makes a good face mask?
Probably that you want to use it and would recommend to a friend? Skincare is so personal that that works for one person may or may not work for another. If you’re new to the game, try something light without any actives and leave it on for a little less than the recommended time.
How do I know what kind of mask to try?
Well, you can use the handy dandy chart I made below based on your skin’s type and skincare needs. The most popular options are sheet masks for quick hydration, I love Dr. Jart for that. A detox mask for oily skin & pores, I love Caudalie for that, and then a clay/charcoal mask, I love Innisfree for that.
Are there any masks or ingredients I should avoid?
I love this question, because I ask this too. Face masks can definitely trigger allergic reactions, especially since they’re packed with concentrated ingredients meant to stay on your skin for 10–20 minutes (or overnight). Here’s where issues usually pop up:
Fragrance & essential oils
Even “natural” ones like lavender, citrus, peppermint, or eucalyptus can irritate sensitive skin or cause contact dermatitis.
Essential plant extracts
Tea tree oil, witch hazel, and certain botanicals are soothing for some, but reactive for others.
High-strength actives
Retinol, vitamin C (especially L-ascorbic acid), high amounts or glycolic acid / salicylic acid can cause redness, peeling, or allergic-like irritation, particularly in exfoliating masks.
How do I avoid a potential reaction?
Patch test first: apply the mask to a small area (I like behind the ear) before full-face use
Read the ingredient list: especially for peel-off or exfoliating masks.
Avoid mixing: On mask day, don’t use other actives like Vitamin C, right after retinol, tretinoin, or another acid.
Are eye masks a good idea?
Eye masks are my favorite because they have such a low barrier to entry. It’s a great thing to help jumpstart your day. I like to keep these by PTR in the fridge for an extra cooling sensation!
For quick hydration - Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Mask / PTR Water Drench Hyaluronic Eye Patches
For oily or breakout skin - Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask / Pore Proof Perfecting Clay Mask
For dry skin - Caudalie’s Vinosource-Hydra Cream Mask
For redness or irritation - Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Gel Mask
For dullness or hyperpigmentation - Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting (if expecting or super sensitive skin, try this one from L’Oreal, leave on for less than 15 mins)
For hydration booster - Biodance Bio-Collagen
Now I’m curious — what’s your go-to mask?
Do you swear by a $10 K-beauty sheet mask?
Do you have a luxury jar that actually feels worth it?
Or are you an eye-patch girly through and through?
Hit comment and tell me your favorite under $20 mask or the one splurge you think really earns its price tag. I’ll round up your answers in Saturday’s post so we can all add some new mask recs to our carts!
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This is great, thank you so much! Are all of these pregnancy safe?
Paula’s Choice is my personal favorite! I’ll definitely add the ones you recommended to my cart and see how it goes! I’m an oily girly.