Key ingredients: mango butter, aloe, hyaluronic acid | Who it’s for: anyone who wants immediate moisture in a lightweight, non-greasy formula | Fragrance-free: no
Best for Age Spots: Lancer Skincare Overnight Brightening Mask
Why it’s worth it: While other overnight masks can be used every night, the Lancer Skincare Overnight Brightening Mask is simply too powerful to be used more than three times a week. When skin concerns like dullness and sun damage just can’t be ignored, this formula pushes back against hyperpigmentation with a combination of ingredients known for not putting up with dark spots, including vitamin C and niacinamide (which work through two different mechanisms to stymie pigment production). Since this creamy mask is highly concentrated, start by using it once per week and work your way up to three times in order to avoid irritation.
Key ingredients: vitamin C, niacinamide, licorice extract | Who it’s for: anyone who’s fed up with both discolored and dry skin | Fragrance-free: no
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I use a face mask?
Skin’s characteristics change over the years in both obvious and not-so-apparent ways, so even if you’ve maintained an elaborate, diligent skin-care routine, you’ll likely experience a decrease in elasticity (the quality and quantity of our collagen plummets) and an increase in discoloration.
More than anything else, mature skin typically looks and feels much drier than it did in younger years—hence the need for moisturizing intervention through a hydrating, skin-plumping mask. “As we age, our capacity to retain water in the skin diminishes, so skin becomes drier,” says Dr. Murphy-Rose. “Dry skin can appear dull and make fine lines more noticeable.” So while you might have collected oil-absorbing, acne-clearing masks in your twenties, your now-seasoned skin’s needs demand a shift in priorities. And by “priorities,” we mean ingredients.
Which ingredients should my face mask have?
According to Dr. Murphy-Rose, dry skin and fine lines can be immediately improved with humectants like hyaluronic acid, aloe, and glycerin to “bring more water to the surface and help plump the skin.”, She also notes that adding ingredients like shea butter and colloidal oatmeal will also help with rejuvenation by deeply moisturizing and soothing dry skin.
In addition to moisturizing ingredients, those with mature skin should look for antioxidants when shopping for masks, says Dr. Camp. “Free radicals can damage cellular structures like DNA, lipids, and proteins, which can contribute to the formation of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots,” he tells Allure. Exfoliation and cell turnover are especially important in helping mature skin look and feel its best, so he also recommends masks with retinol and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs).
Meet the experts
- David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology in New York City
- Brendan Camp, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Michele Farber, MD, a Philadelphia-based board-certified dermatologist
- Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
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.