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The best hydrating face masks for plump, dewy skin
Hydrating, moisturising and brightening – the gang is here and we've tried 'em all
If you thought hydrating face masks were just claggy creams that suffocate your skin, you can think again.
No longer reserved for chronically dry skin types (although they're great for those too), today's best moisture-boosting masks come in an array of textures – including gels, lotions and creams – that will keep your skin barrier happy and bring back that radiance for good.
If you’re after something that ranks high in the self-care stakes, a rich cream mask is the perfect pick – simply slap one on before settling into a Netflix marathon. Sensitive types will benefit from a no-frills hydrator from a trusted French pharmacy brand (think: Avène), while those looking for the fastest route to a plump complexion should book in weekly face time with a gel mask.
As for what to look out for on the ingredient list, humectants like hyaluronic acid, glycerin and aloe vera can be great hydration-hitters. There are also ceramides which work to restore your skin barrier, keeping sensitivity and dryness at the door.
Unlike formulas that contain potent actives – like salicylic acid – there’s a little more wriggle room when it comes to how often you can use a hydrating mask. We’d suggest anywhere from two to three times a week to keep your skin as supple as poss. The best time to apply them is just after you’ve showered; applying to damp skin will help the product seep deeper.
Below, discover the hydrating masks we’ll be slathering on every weekend for the foreseeable future. You're welcome.
The best hydrating face masks for dry skin...
We're about to P.E.E all over Laneige’s Bouncy and Firm Sleeping Mask (Gen Zs, sorry for the throwback).
Point: This is the brand's latest launch – and the plumping version of the Water Sleeping Mask – and it's here to give you mega-hydrated and bouncy skin.
Evidence: Since we got our hands on this pink pot of joy, it's become a Cosmo team favourite. With a cooling and creamy consistency, the formula is pumped with peony extracts, collagen and peptides to load the skin with hydration.
Explanation: Smooth on a generous dollop before bed and, come morning, your skin will be as plump as your pillow. Yum.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Hyaluronic Clay Pore-Tight Facial
Whenever the word ‘clay’ is weaved into the name of a face mask we all seem to envision the uncomfortable feeling of dry and tight skin. However, this hyaluronic acid infused formula minimises the appearance of pores without the drying downsides.
The lightweight, whipped clay decongests your skin, without stripping it of its natural oils, and gently exfoliates to leave a beautifully smooth finish. You don’t have to use it more than once a week, but when you do it’s an absolute treat for the skin.
Avène Les Essentiels Soothing Radiance Mask
The thermal spring water that forms the basis of this formula deserves some major 👏 for hydrating thirsty skin.
It contains a variety of minerals that aid hydration, promoting a softer and suppler complexion. Combine this with vitamin E – a natural anti-inflammatory that helps to soothe an aggravated barrier – and you’ve got the perfect comfort mask for moisture-zapped skin. Light on the bank balance yet heavy on the hydration.
Beauty Pie Japanfusion™ Bio-ceramide Moisture Mask
Member's price: £19.50
Beauty Pie makes some of the best masks in the business, and this particular hydrator is really worth trying.
Formulated for dry, sensitive and generally upset complexions, the rich cream formula is loaded with ceramides to re-build your skin barrier post-tantrum, which in turn will lead to less water loss (and a dewier glow).
If your skin sits more on the combination side, opt for the hyaluronic and collagen-based Uber Youth H-Collagen Sheet Mask instead. Either way, you're on the fast-track to really good skin.
If you enjoy a mask with a thick and rich consistency, try Liz Earle's hydrating mask. Enriched with shea butter, this baby is the definition of nourishing. To *really* amp up the hydration, it also contains a blend of apricot kernel oil, essential fatty acids, and borage seed oil.
Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Sleeping Mask
This mask is like a one-two punch for tackling a seriously dehydrated complexion.
The first hit is a cooling essence – packed with rosewater and hyaluronic acid – to hydrate your skin on a deeper level, and the follow-up shot comes from a rich cream to hold in moisture.
It's delicate enough to use nightly but be sure to only use a small amount (you don't want to waste it).
Honey is an underrated skincare ingredient that can be used beyond your kitchen. Not only is it a natural humectant (which draws moisture to your skin), it also has anti-bacterial properties which keeps your microbiome soothed and clarified.
There are many honeyed-up formulas on the shelves, but our fave is Farmacy’s Ceramide Hydration Mask. The gel formula feels refreshing smothered on sensitive skin, while ingredients like honey (obvs), ceramides and apple extract locks in moisture and dissuades dryness. In the cart, please and thank you.
Korres Greek Yoghurt Probiotic Superdose Face Mask
Probiotics deserve more recognition – they're little power workers that support your microbiome (the millions and trillions of healthy bacteria that live on your skin).
If this ecosystem gets disturbed, it can be the precursor for conditions like eczema, acne and dryness – yep, it’s important stuff. So if you’re looking for a mask to support a healthy microbiome, this one from Korres is great for the job.
It uses Greek yoghurt (a probiotic superfood) and hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture and dissuade dryness.
Cult Beauty Molecular Hydration Mask
111 Skin is, respectfully, the G.O.A.T. If you're going to splurge on a pricey mask, make it this one. It contains a mix of hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, botanical extracts, and other humectants to lock in moisture and leave your skin looking soft, supple and full of life.
Got a compromised skin barrier? We've all been there, and this mask is the first step to calming down and repairing your skin.
MALIN + GOETZ Detox Face Mask
This is a great pick for those sensitive-skinned gals out there. It simultaneously helps to decongest pores of dirt (ideal if you're a city dweller), while ensuring your complexion looks as radiant as it feels hydrated.
Plus, the silk-smooth formula – packed with amino acids, squalane and vitamin C – feels super comforting on a compromised barrier. What's not to love?
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Acid Cloud Mask
Anything from Peter Thomas Roth's Water Drench collection is a wise purchase, we reckon.
Made up of a cocktail of hyaluronic acid, eucalyptus, aloe vera, vitamin E, caffeine and more, this mask is a treat for tired, dry, and stressed out skin.
It's super cooling too, so it'll be a saviour on those sleepy mornings where your face is just a lil puffy.
Lumene Nordic Hydra Oxygen Recovery 72h Hydra Gel Mask
Finnish skincare brand Lumene is known for its use of 100% organic and natural Nordic birch sap and spring water in its products — and we're obsessed.
Containing a healthy dose of lingonberry, bilberry and cloudberry waters, this mask is the ultimate remedy for dry and dehydrated skin. Plus, its soothing gel texture is the perfect pick-me-up for early starts and unwinding after a hard day's work.
Clare Stephenson is the Senior Fashion and Beauty E-commerce Writer for Cosmopolitan, ELLE and Harper’s Bazaar. She has been an e-commerce writer since 2022, creating matter-of-fact reviews and shopping pages filled with her favourite products for every budget and need – whether that’s a glow-giving foundation, a high-tech LED face mask or the perfect wear-with-everything blazer.
Alongside writing, Clare loves to be in front of the camera creating shopping content, putting viral products to the test to see which ones are truly worth the hype. Through her work, she has interviewed leading dermatologists, makeup artists and industry experts to bring readers trusted advice and product recommendations.
Clare has contributed to titles across the Hearst UK portfolio, including Women’s Health, Good Housekeeping, Red and Prima. Prior to joining Hearst, she earned a BA in Multimedia Journalism from Bournemouth University, focusing her studies on magazines and editorial. She later worked as an editorial assistant at Voir Fashion Magazine, covering events including Fashion Week and interviewing notable brand founders.
Outside of work? You can find Clare strolling through London’s Columbia Road Market, pouring her fourth coffee of the day or heading to a Pilates class.
Follow Clare on Instagram @clarefrancesstephenson.
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