Dry skin deals with a veritable holy trinity of skin issues on a daily basis — we’re talking 24 hours of unwanted texture, dehydration and a dull complexion seven days a week.
But carving 10 to 20 minutes out of your busy schedule is all it takes to apply a face mask for dry skin that’ll nix all the problems your AM and PM skin care routine can’t fix by themselves.
Traditionally formulated with ingredients that target those three aforementioned dry skin issues, a treatment mask should smooth uneven skin texture, enhance radiance and boost hydration in one fell swoop. Think: hydrating humectants like hyaluronic acid, glycerin and panthenol, exfoliating AHAs (personally, we’re fond of lactic and glycolic acid), and a glow-boosting blend of antioxidants. From pack masks, sheet masks and overnight masks that you leave on while you snooze, there are plenty of face masks for dry skin to choose from to suit your lifestyle and preferences.
Here, marie claire shares seven top-rated face masks for dry skin that are worth splurging on for a healthy dose of self-indulgence.
2024’s top best face mask for dry skin
- Origins Drink Up™ Intensive Overnight Hydrating Mask with Avocado & Glacier Water, $46, MECCA
- Clinique Moisture Surge™ Overnight Mask, $65, Amazon Australia
- Youth To The People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask, $90, Sephora
The best face mask for dry skin 2024
01
Origins Drink Up™ Intensive Overnight Hydrating Mask with Avocado & Glacier Water
from $46 at MECCA
Best for: All over hydration
Designed to be used on the face, décolletage and hands, this overnight face mask is infused with a blend of moisturising avocado butter and hydrating hyaluronic acid, which helps to keen skin hydrated, dewy and radiant for up to 72 hours after application.
Sizes: 75ml
Key features:
- Infused with avocado butter and hyaluronic acid
- Hydrates skin for 72 hours
- Skin appears dewy and radiant after use
- Can be used on the face, décolletage and hands
- Can be applied more than once a week and worn overnight
Available at:
02
Clinique Moisture Surge™ Overnight Mask
from $65 at Amazon Australia
Best for: Lightweight, long-lasting hydration
This oil-free, lightweight, overnight mask deals with dry skin head on with a slew of featherweight hydrators that work to reinforce the skin’s natural moisture barrier without overloading it. On top of that, a healthy dose of nourishing plant butters help to reduce the likelihood of moisture loss.
Sizes: 100ml
Key features:
- Contains shea butter, mango seed butter, murumuru butter, algae extract, olive extract, panthenol and hyaluronic acid
- Soothes and nourishes dry skin
- Reinforces the natural moisture barrier
- Prevents moisture loss
- Promotes a soft, dewy and glowing complexion
Available at:
- $65 from Amazon Australia
- $67 from The Iconic
03
Youth To The People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask
from $90 at Sephora
Best for: Brightening
Formulated with a combination of antioxidants and plumping hydrators, this pick is the one to try if your skin looks dull and drab no matter what you do. Apply the overnight mask formula before bed to seal in moisture and target dull, uneven skin and wake up in the morning to a refined and radiant complexion.
Sizes: 15ml / 59ml
Key features:
- Infused with antioxidant-rich superberries and THD ascorbate (vitamin C) to target dullness and texture
- Contains a plumping and moisturising blend of squalane, hyaluronic acid, glycerin and betaine
- Designed to be worn while you sleep
- Promises plump, radiant and dewy skin overnight
- Can be combined with a face oil for a richer texture
Available at:
- $90 from Sephora
04
Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Sleeping Mask
from $63.02 at Amazon Australia
Best for: Double masking
Ideal for dedicated double-maskers, this pick contains two overnight face mask formulas in one jar. The first mask is a cooling gel essence that’s infused with a moisture-replenishing blend of rosewater, damask rose extract and hyaluronic acid. And the second mask is a silky water-cream mask that uses innovative time-release technology to keep skin hydrated for longer.
Sizes: 30ml / 70ml
Key features:
- Two masks in one jar
- Cooling gel essence infused with rosewater, damask rose and hyaluronic acid
- Silky water-cream mask contains cucumber and evening primrose extract
- Time-release technology keeps skin hydrated for longer
- Designed to be layered and worn overnight
Available at:
- $63.02 from Amazon Australia
- $88 from Sephora
- $93 from Woolworths
05
Peter Thomas Roth 24K Gold Mask
from $74.47 at Amazon Australia
Best for: Firming and lifting
Target hydration and the first signs of ageing with this 24 karat gold infused face mask from Peter Thomas Roth. The innovative formula is inspired by luxurious in-clinic gold facials, which help to improve the overall firmness, lifting, hydration and appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in just five minutes.
Sizes: 150ml
Key features:
- Infused with 24 karat gold and colloidal gold to firm, lift, brighten and calm
- Caffeine minimises dullness and revitalises tired skin
- Hyaluronic acid helps to replenish moisture levels in the skin
- Plumps and smooths fine lines and wrinkles
- Works in just five to ten minutes
Available at:
- $74.47 from Amazon Australia
- $135 from Sephora
- $135 from The Iconic
06
Go-To Skincare Transformazing Sheet Mask
from $55 at Go-To Skincare
Best for: A mid-week pick-me-up
Soaked in a serum of Kakadu plum, finger lime, Tasmanian pepper leaf, niacinamide, and hyadisine, this sheet mask is the quick mid-week pick-me-up your skin has been asking for. Hydrating, brightening and plumping in nature, this pick is a god send for a lacklustre complexion in desperate need of some love.
Sizes: Pack of six / Single
Key features:
- Infused with Kakadu plum, finger lime, Tasmanian pepper leaf, niacinamide, and hyadisine
- Hydrates dry skin
- Brightens dullness
- Plumps fine lines and sallow skin
- Boosts radiance and moisture levels
Available at:
- $55 from Go-To Skincare
07
Vanessa Megan Gold & Lime Caviar Coconut Membrane Sheet Mask
from $49.95 at Vanessa Megan
Best for: Before a big event
Restorative and revitalising, this calming sheet mask is the perfect prelude to that big event you’ve been preparing for. The innovative bio-cellulose coconut membrane mask retains moisture more than traditional sheet masks and contours to your face to prevent slipping. The mask serum contains a blend of colloidal gold, finger lime caviar, colloidal silver, davidson plum and Kakadu plum, which targets the first signs of ageing, dullness and dehydration.
Sizes: Pack of three
Key features:
- Colloidal gold improves elasticity and firmness
- Finger lime caviar promotes cellular turnover
- Colloidal silver calms irritation
- Vitamin C-rich Davidson and Kakadu plum rehydrate and enhance radiance
- Bio-cellulose coconut membrane mask moulds to the contours of the face and promotes moisture retention
Available at:
- $49.95 from Vanessa Megan
What kind of face mask is best for dry skin?
Face masks that offer brightening, moisturising or exfoliating properties are all beneficial for dry skin as they help to diminish the dull, flaky and textured appearance of dry skin. Think: hyaluronic acid, lactic acid, panthenol, aloe vera, glycolic acid and antioxidants.
Do face masks work for dry skin?
Face masks work well for dry skin if you select a formula that includes the right ingredients. Look for brightening, exfoliating and moisturising ingredients that help to resurface and rehydrate the skin to improve the overall hydration, tone and texture of the complexion over time.
Looking to save money on a face mask for dry skin? Check out our coupon codes for MECCA, Sephora and more.
Related article:
- The 10 Minute Detox: 4 Face Masks To Reset Your Skin
- Cancel Your Spa Appointment And Try These 6 At-Home Microcurrent Devices Instead
- 6 Oil-Absorbing & Congestion-Clearing Face Masks For Oily Skin
Main image credit: @shaninamshaik