Out top tested product picks from brands like Kiehl’s, Tatcha, Glossier, and more.
If you’re the type of person who likes the idea of getting a facial but is afraid of what a mystery formula might do to your delicate complexion, you’re in the right place. Today’s over-the-counter face masks offer an effective, at-home solution for spa-like skin care treatments, and many are specifically formulated with sensitive skin in mind. To determine exactly which were the best of the bunch, we first tapped licensed skincare expert Lauren LaPaglia and licensed esthetician Dana Murray of Babe + Beauty for their expert input.
“Look out for anything oat-related, [as well as] aloe, hyaluronic acid, chamomile, and calendula,” says LaPaglia, explaining that these ingredients are both hydrating and soothing. Murray adds that steering clear of formulas with alcohol and added fragrance, whether it’s synthetic or from a natural source, like essential oils. In addition to the ingredients LaPaglia mentioned, Murray is a fan of green tea, cucumber extract,2 allantoin,3 arnica,4 niacinamide,5 squalane,6 and cica (centella asiatica)7 for those battling dryness, breakouts, eczema, rosacea, or general inflammation.
To find the best face masks for sensitive skin, we had testers and Byrdie editors try a wide range of different options on the market. We considered everything from the ingredients to the texture to the ease of application, and, most importantly, how the products left our skin feeling both after one use and over time. (And, of course, made sure they didn’t irritate or cause any type of sensitivity.) We combined those insights with guidance from our experts to come up with this comprehensive list of the best face masks for sensitive skin.
Best Overall: Tatcha Violet-C Radiance Mask
An exfoliating, brightening mask that won’t stress out sensitive skin? Believe it. This formula does exactly that, relying on several fruit-derived AHAs plus two kinds of vitamin C to leave your complexion smoother, more even, and softer, too. Still, it won’t trigger any irritation in the process. We couldn’t believe that there wasn’t any burning or tingling sensation involved when we used it—even on our rosacea-prone skin.
Best Budget: The Inkey List Madecassoside Mask
Here’s proof that you don’t need to shell out the big bucks to find a great mask for sensitive skin. The namesake ingredient is actually a component in Centella asiatica, helping to reduce inflammation and redness. It also delivers a pleasant cooling sensation upon contact—something we very much enjoyed. We also found that it not only had those instant benefits but also that it helped our skin better tolerate irritating ingredients (retinoids, we’re looking at you), with continued use.
Best Hydrating: Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask
If it’s hydration you’re after, your best bet is Summer Fridays’ Jet Lag Mask. The beloved formula calls on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, shea butter, and ceramides to deliver much-needed moisture, plus niacinamide8 and vitamin C9 for a radiance boost. We especially love how versatile it is; sure, you can use it as a traditional mask, but it also works equally as well as an under-eye treatment or even a primer.
Best Restorative: Klur Supreme Seed Delicate Purification Mask
It’s nice to have a tub of Supreme Seed on hand for when your dermis could use a bit of TLC. Made with fragile skin in mind, this purifying face mask soothes, nourishes, and restores balance to the skin barrier. We love that the kaolin clay used in this mask is significantly gentler than other widely used clays and nourishes the skin without any hard after-effects.
Best Conditioning: Glossier Moisturizing Moon Mask
Glossier’s creamy, dreamy Moon Mask conditions the skin with replenishing squalane and hyaluronic acid. What’s more, the fragrance-free formula contains earth-sourced moisturizers, plus healing honey and calming aloe. The result? A calmer, healthier-looking complexion. We were especially big fans of how soothing and cooling it felt, helping to quell redness, and that even though the texture is thicker, it never felt heavy.
Best Exfoliating: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask
This Byrdie favorite from Glow Recipe provides ever-so-gentle exfoliation with naturally sourced lactic acid and glycolic acid.10 Thanks to soothing ingredients like watermelon and pumpkin extract, it fosters a glowy complexion without irritating sensitive skin. In our experience, we were thoroughly impressed with how plump and bright it left our complexion, no matter whether we left it overnight or even for just 10 minutes.
Best for Eczema-Prone Skin: Topicals Like Butter Mask Hydrating Mask
Eczema can be a real drag. Since the cause isn’t always apparent, it’s good to have something in your arsenal to address flare-ups. This small but mighty little tube soothes irritation, minimizes redness, nourishes stressed skin, and replenishes the moisture barrier. And to the point of moisture, we found this to be so hydrating that it even allowed us to skip a few steps in our skincare routine (namely a serum and moisturizer).
Best Brightening: Then I Met You Rosé Resurfacing Facial Mask
Sure, this mask is pretty to look at (thanks to its gorgeous, naturally derived blush hue), but it’s a serious workhorse, too. We found it to be ideal for maximizing radiance and glow, while even making our fine lines and wrinkles ever-so-slightly less noticeable with continued use. Credit the addition of both alpha-hydroxy and beta-hydroxy acids which address uneven texture and tone, as well as plenty of brightening antioxidants.
Best Multi-Tasking: Peach Slices Snail Rescue Intensive Wash-Off Jelly Mask
If you’re on the hunt for a mask that can do it all, look no further than this mega multi-tasker. There’s really not much that it can’t do. It relies on snail mucin (yes, from snails), an ingredient that does everything from fighting blemishes to targeting spots, and deeply hydrating. And from the sensitive skin side of things, it contains one of Murray’s top-recommended ingredients, soothing cica, as well as calming licorice extract. Our favorite part? How cooling and refreshing it feels when it goes on.
Best Splurge: Sisley Paris Black Rose Cream Mask
Yes, this pick is admittedly pricey, but we also found it worth every penny. We saw a visible improvement in our skin—more specifically when it came to how soft, smooth, and plump it was—even after one use. It’s super hydrating (and to that point, better if you skew on the drier side, it may be too rich if you’re oily), thanks to the use of shea butter, vitamin E, and phytosqualane. The rose in the mix not only gives this luxe formula its sophisticated scent, it also smooths your complexion.
Best Soothing: Kiehl’s Calendula Petal-Infused Calming Mask
A soothing mask is basically a non-negotiable if you have sensitive skin, and this one is a great choice. We couldn’t get over how hydrating and calming it was, soothing our skin in as little as 15 minutes. And despite how moisturizing it is, it still boasts a lightweight gel texture that washes off nicely. It’s fragrance-free, too, though the calendula in the formula still gives it a pleasant herbal scent.
Best Overnight: Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask
Is this a night cream or a mask? Answer: A little bit of both. The hybrid formula looks and feels a lot like a nice thick moisturizer, but delivers a ton of benefits for your skin, mask-style. Namely, plenty of moisture (makes sense) as well as brightening vitamin C and a variety of different antioxidants. We tried this out after a week of travel and were impressed with how well it combatted stubborn dry patches and left our skin looking plumper and brighter by the next morning.
Final Verdict
The Tatcha Violet-C Radiance Mask is by far the best face mask for sensitive skin, a brightening formula that leaves your complexion both more moisturized, soothed, and radiant. If you’re looking for something a bit more affordable, go with the The Inkey List Madecassoside Mask, a super calming choice that has the added benefit of imparting a pleasant cooling sensation upon application.
What to Look for in a Face Mask for Sensitive Skin
Ingredients
When it comes to skincare for sensitive skin, the most important thing to consider is the ingredients list. According to Murray, people with reactive or inflamed complexions should look for products containing colloidal oatmeal, calendula oil, centella asiatica, niacinamide, aloe vera, squalane, arnica, green tea leaf, cucumber extract, chamomile, allantoin, bisabolol, and marshmallow root. Many of the winners on this list contain any number of the above, like the Kiehl’s Calendula Petal-Infused Calming Mask with aloe vera.
Application
When shopping around for face masks, you’ll want to consider the application. Some formulas are meant to be rinsed off after a few minutes, while others can be left on for hours (or even overnight, like the Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Night Cream + Mask with Vitamin C). Then there are sheet masks, which you place on your face for up to 30 minutes, and then rinse off.
Container
Another thing to think about is the container. Many face masks come in small glass jars or plastic tubs. Each time you dip your fingers in, the product is exposed to bacteria, which is a concern for sensitive skin. If you struggle with eczema or have experienced bacterial skin infections in the past, you may want to look for a face mask with a more hygienic container, like a tube or a pump bottle; the Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask fits the bill.
FAQ
What types of face masks are best for sensitive skin?
The best face masks for sensitive skin are soothing, cooling, and calming, which is why it’s crucial to look for anti-inflammatory ingredients. In addition to minimizing irritation, many formulas provide other benefits like hydration. “If you are able to balance your hydration and redness with sensitive skin, most of your unwanted side effects subside,” says LaPaglia.
Some face masks also offer gentle exfoliation. However, Murray tells Byrdie that “papaya enzymes or polishes with rice powder are a better option” for those sensitive to AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids).
What ingredients should you avoid in face masks if you have sensitive skin?
“While many people are OK using products with synthetic/natural fragrances and essential oils, they can be sensitizing,” explains Murray. Additionally, she recommends steering clear of formulas with simple alcohols. “I also would avoid using harsh scrubs that contain large exfoliating granules,” she adds.
Do face masks for sensitive skin expire?
Like all skincare products, face masks for sensitive skin will eventually expire. Most last roughly 12 to 24 months after the manufacturing date, though it depends on the formula, container, and what preservatives are used. Look for the PAO (period-after-opening) symbol on the back of the container. The number in the symbol tells you how long it’ll last after you open it.
How We Researched & Tested
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. Our team also incorporated their own personal experiences testing products in their own lives. We then used these insights from our research and testing to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
