The 12 Best Face Masks for Sensitive Skin

If you love facials but are concerned about the effects of mystery formulas on your sensitive complexion, you’ve come to the right place.

Today’s over-the-counter masks offer an effective at-home skincare solution, and many are formulated specifically for sensitive skin.

To find the best masks, we turned to skincare expert Lauren LaPaglia and Babe + Beauty aesthetician Dana Murray for advice.

“Look for ingredients with oatmeal, aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, chamomile, and calendula,” LaPaglia advises, explaining that these ingredients are both hydrating and soothing.

Murray also recommends avoiding formulas with alcohol and fragrances, both synthetic and natural, such as essential oils.

In addition to the ingredients LaPaglia mentions, Murray recommends green tea, cucumber extract,2 allantoin,3 arnica,4 niacinamide,5 squalane,6 and centella asiatica,7 for those who are struggling with dry skin, rashes, eczema, rosacea, or general inflammation.

To find the best face masks for sensitive skin, we had our testers and Byrdie editors try out a variety of different products on the market.

We considered everything from ingredients to texture to ease of use, and most importantly, how the products felt on our skin after first use and over time.

(Of course, we made sure they weren’t irritating or sensitive.) We combined those insights with the experts’ advice to create this comprehensive list of the best face masks for sensitive skin.

Best Overall: Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Mask

An exfoliating, brightening mask that won’t stress out sensitive skin? Believe it. This formula is exactly that: It’s based on several fruit-derived AHAs and two vitamins C to ensure a smoother, more even, and softer complexion.

And it doesn’t cause any irritation. We couldn’t believe that we didn’t feel any burning or stinging while using it—even on our rosacea-prone skin.

Best Value: Madecassoside Mask from The Inkey List

Proof that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a great face mask for sensitive skin. The namesake ingredient is a component of Centella asiatica, and helps reduce inflammation and redness.

It also delivers a pleasant cooling sensation when it comes into contact with the skin – something we thoroughly enjoy. We’ve also found that not only does it have these immediate benefits, but regular use has helped our skin tolerate harsh ingredients better (retinoids, we’re looking at you).

Hydrate: Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask

If you need to hydrate, Summer Fridays’ Jet Lag Mask is the way to go. The popular formula contains hyaluronic acid, glycerin, shea butter, and ceramides to provide essential moisture, while niacinamide 8 and vitamin C9 ensure skin is left looking radiant.

We’re particularly excited about its versatility: it can be used as a classic mask, but is also an ideal eye treatment or primer.

Repair: Klur Supreme Seed Delicate Purifying Mask

When your skin needs some pampering, it’s great to have a jar of Supreme Seed on hand. Formulated specifically for sensitive skin, this cleansing mask soothes, nourishes, and restores balance to the skin barrier.

We especially like that the kaolin clay used is much gentler than other common clays, treating the skin without irritating it.

Best Treatment: Glossier Hydrating Moon Mask

Glossier’s creamy Dreamy Moon Mask nourishes the skin with regenerating squalane and hyaluronic acid. The fragrance-free formula also contains natural moisturizers as well as healing honey and soothing aloe vera.

The result: A calmer, healthier-looking complexion. We were particularly impressed with the soothing and cooling effects that reduced redness. And while the texture is thicker, it didn’t feel heavy.

Best Exfoliator: Glow Recipe Watermelon Renewing Sleeping Mask

This Byrdie favorite from Glow Recipe contains natural lactic and glycolic acids for extra gentle exfoliation. Thanks to soothing ingredients like watermelon and pumpkin extracts, it delivers a radiant complexion without irritating sensitive skin.

Whether we left it on overnight or for just 10 minutes, we were impressed by how plump and glowy our complexion was.

Best for Eczema-Prone Skin: Topical Products Like Moisturizing Butter Mask

Eczema can be a real burden. Since the cause isn’t always obvious, it’s best to take some medication for your rash with you. This tiny but powerful tube soothes irritation, reduces redness, cares for stressed skin, and regenerates the moisture barrier.

As for hydration, we found it to be very hydrating and even added it to some of our skincare routines (serums and moisturizers).

Best for Brightening Skin: Then I Met You Rosé Rejuvenating Peel Mask

Not only does this mask look beautiful (thanks to its gorgeous, natural blush hue), but it’s also a true all-rounder. We found it perfect for maximizing radiance while also slightly concealing fine lines and wrinkles with regular use.

It evens out skin tone and texture thanks to the addition of alpha and beta hydroxy acids, as well as a host of brightening antioxidants.

Best All-Rounder: Peach Slices Snail Rescue Intensive Wash-Off Jelly Mask

If you’re looking for a multi-tasking mask, this multi-tasking mask is the right choice for you. There’s really nothing she can’t do. It’s based on snail mucus (yes, from snails), an ingredient that does everything from fighting blemishes to targeting spots to deeply moisturizing.

For sensitive skin, it contains one of Murray’s most recommended ingredients: soothing Centella asiatica and calming licorice extract. Our highlight? A cooling, refreshing sensation when applied.

Best Investment: Sisley Paris Black Rose Mask

Yes, this option is a bit pricey, but we found it to be worth every penny. After the first use, we noticed a noticeable improvement in our skin—particularly in terms of softness, suppleness, and plumpness.

It’s ultra-hydrating (and therefore better suited for dry skin; it may be too greasy for oily skin) thanks to the shea butter, vitamin E, and plant-based squalane. The rose in the mix not only gives this luxurious formula a royal scent, but also smooths your complexion.

Best for Calming: Kiehl’s Calming Calming Mask with Calming Calming Calming Mask

A soothing mask is a must for sensitive skin, and this one is a great choice. We were surprised by how hydrating and soothing it was. In just 15 minutes, our skin was soothed.

Despite its hydrating effects, what’s impressive is its lightweight gel texture, which washes off easily. It’s also fragrance-free, but the calendula gives it a pleasant, herbal scent.

Best Night Cream: Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask

Is this a night cream or a mask? Answer: Both. This hybrid formula looks and feels like a good, nourishing moisturizer, but packs a lot of benefits into your skin—like a mask.

Namely, tons of hydration (which makes sense) as well as brightening vitamin C and various antioxidants. We tried this mask after a week of traveling and were impressed by how well it worked on stubborn dry patches, leaving our skin looking plumper and brighter the next morning.

Final Verdict

The Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Mask is by far the best mask for sensitive skin. Its brightening formula hydrates, soothes, and brightens. If you’re looking for something more affordable, the Inkey List Madecassoside Mask is a super soothing alternative that leaves a pleasant cooling sensation when applied.

What to look for in a mask for sensitive skin

Ingredients

When it comes to skincare for sensitive skin, the ingredient list is king. According to Murray, people with sensitive or irritated skin should look for products that contain 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 several of these ingredients, such as Kiehl’s Calendula Aloe Calming Mask.

Application

When buying a mask, you should pay attention to how it is applied. Some products should be rinsed off after a few minutes, while others can be left on for hours (or even overnight, such as Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Night Cream + Mask with Vitamin C). There are also sheet masks that are left on the face for up to 30 minutes before being rinsed off.

Container

Also pay attention to the container. Many masks are sold in small glass jars or plastic containers. Every time you dip your fingers into the product, it comes into contact with bacteria, which can be harmful to sensitive skin. If you suffer from eczema or have had bacterial skin infections in the past, you should look for masks that come in more hygienic containers, such as tubes or pump bottles. The Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask is just what you need.

FAQ

Which face masks are best for sensitive skin?

The best face masks for sensitive skin have calming, cooling, and soothing properties. That’s why it’s important to focus on anti-inflammatory ingredients. In addition to reducing irritation, many formulas also have other benefits such as moisturizing. “Most of the adverse side effects can be avoided if you find a mask that’s formulated for sensitive skin and keeps the redness from “calming down,” LaPaglia says.

Some masks also have the benefit of a gentle exfoliant. However, Murray tells Byrdie that for those who are sensitive to AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), “papain enzymes or rice peels are better options.”

What ingredients should you avoid in a mask if you have sensitive skin?

“While many people have no problem with products containing synthetic/natural fragrances and essential oils, these products can be sensitizing,” Murray explains. She also recommends avoiding formulas that contain simple alcohol. “I would also avoid harsh exfoliating with harsh exfoliating particles,” she adds.

Do masks for sensitive skin expire?

Like all skincare products, masks for sensitive skin will eventually expire. Most have a shelf life of about 12 to 24 months from the date of manufacture, but the shelf life depends on the formula, packaging, and preservatives used. Check the back of the package for the exact expiration date. PAO (use-after-opened) symbol. The number in the symbol indicates how long the product can be kept after it is opened.

Research & Testing

To come up with this list, our team of editors and contributors carefully researched the best products in this category and evaluated their key features — such as ingredients, color palette or design — as well as customer reviews and ratings from other reliable sources. Our team also took into account personal testing experiences. We give a rating of one to five stars based on the results of our research and testing. (five is best, one is worst) for some of the products on the list.