Face Masks for Sensitive Skin: Ingredients, 4 DIY Recipes, Benefits and More

• Face masks can hydrate and soothe sensitive skin.
• Hyaluronic acid, ceramides and plant oils nourish and repair.
• Clay masks and ingredients that cause a cooling sensation should be avoided.
• DIY face masks may temporarily reduce symptoms of sensitive skin.

Skin sensitivity is caused by dryness, environmental factors and chronic diseases such as eczema and rosacea. It can occur in any skin type. When skin is sensitized, the moisture barrier that protects the skin from outside elements is compromised, leading to increased reactions to irritants such as skin care products and laundry detergent. Face masks for sensitive skin can alleviate the symptoms of this condition and improve your skin’s overall health.

However, it is important to choose the appropriate face mask as the wrong one can cause stinging, burning, dryness, redness, scaling and bumps or hives.

The best face masks for sensitive skin replenish your skin’s natural protective barrier with hydrating, soothing ingredients. 

Why Do Face Masks Benefit Sensitive Skin?

Face masks deliver a high concentration of active ingredients to complement your daily skin care routine. You can choose a face mask containing ingredients to target specific symptoms of sensitivity such as redness or dryness, and to reduce your skin’s overall sensitivity by restoring the moisture barrier. 

Masks can also effectively treat other issues, such as exfoliating dry skin or reducing breakouts for acne-prone skin. They are available in several forms, some of which are appropriate for sensitive skin and others which are not.

Best face masks for sensitive skin

For sensitive, irritated skin, sheet, cream and gel masks, and sleeping masks (worn overnight) offer the most benefits.

Peel-off masks, mud or clay and charcoal masks should be avoided as their skin-tightening effects can aggravate the symptoms of sensitive skin. 

Face Masks for Dry, Sensitive Skin

The best masks for dry, sensitive skin are hydrating gel, cream or sheet masks.

A hydrating mask improves the skin’s natural protective barrier with active ingredients that draw in or trap moisture, and promote cellular growth to restore the uppermost layer of skin.

Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture to the skin. Applied topically, it can help the skin retain water and create a plumper appearance.

Ceramides

Ceramides are a type of fat found in the skin’s natural barrier that help the skin retain moisture and protect it from environmental aggressors. Inadequate stores of ceramides indicate that the barrier is compromised. 

Applying ceramides topically can therefore help restore the skin barrier’s health. One study found that skin hydration was significantly increased after regular use of a product containing ceramides. 

Plant oils and butters

Shea butter, jojoba and olive oil are several moisturizing plant-based ingredients you can find in a mask for dry skin. These oils mimic the oils naturally found in the skin to lock in moisture without clogging pores.

Vitamin C

Skin-brightening Vitamin C is an antioxidant, meaning it protects the skin from environmental free radicals. It also boosts collagen production to reduce fine lines and keep skin healthy- looking.

Vitamin C can cause light sensitivity in sensitive skin, so it’s best used as an occasional facial treatment—such as in a face mask—rather than un an everyday product. 

Face Masks for Sensitive, Acne-Prone Skin

Sensitivity can occur in any skin type, including acne-prone, oily skin. Treating acne in sensitive skin can pose a conundrum as most typical anti-acne ingredients tend to cause redness and irritation.

If your skin can tolerate them, use these ingredients only once or twice a week, and in formulas that include hydrators such as glycerin, aloe vera or vitamin E.

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is anti-inflammatory and lipophilic, meaning it adheres to oil in your skin to break up clogged pores. As it can be drying to the skin, use this ingredient with caution and moisturize well after use.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is milder on the skin than benzoyl peroxide—a common acne treatment—while providing antibacterial benefits. It too is quite drying, and best used as a spot treatment – not on your entire face.

Tips for Using Masks on Sensitive Skin

Before using a new mask (or any skin care product), patch-test it on a small area of skin and wait 24 hours. If your skin doesn’t react, the product is safe for use.

To apply a mask, first, thoroughly cleanse your face. Determine whether the mask is designed for use on dry or damp skin, and prepare your skin accordingly.

Apply the mask over the entire face, avoiding the eye area. Follow the product’s instructions for how long to leave on—usually 10–15 minutes—or until the mask has dried.

Remove with warm water, taking care not to scrub at your skin. Finish by applying your usual moisturizer.

Ingredients to avoid

Several ingredients commonly found in masks are not suitable for sensitive skin and should be avoided.

One of the biggest causes of skin sensitivity is added fragrance. When choosing a face mask (or any other skin care product), ensure it is fragrance-free.

Bentonite and kaolin clay are detoxifying, purifying ingredients commonly used to draw oil away from the skin. Clay masks are not ideal for sensitive skin, which is often dry and requires more oil, not less.

Menthol, peppermint and eucalyptus are sometimes used to create a cooling or refreshing sensation in the skin. However, these ingredients are too drying for sensitive skin. 

If you have eczema, avoid alpha-hydroxy acids and beta-hydroxy acids (AHAs and BHAs) such as glycolic, lactic, citric and salicylic acid. These popular exfoliants will cause further damage to a skin barrier already compromised by the eczema.

Signs a face mask is doing more harm than good

Some face masks are designed to tighten, mattify or detoxify the skin. Since the protective barrier of your skin is compromised, these types of masks can cause stinging, dryness, redness and hives in sensitive skin.

If you notice these symptoms while wearing a mask, wash it off immediately with your usual cleanser, then apply moisturizer.

At-Home DIY Face Mask Recipes for Sensitive Skin 

These at-home recipes are designed to relieve the symptoms of sensitive skin. Because they contain so few ingredients, they are less likely to trigger a reaction in your skin – and if they do, it will be easy to identify the cause. 

Oatmeal and honey soothing face mask

This recipe uses skin-calming oatmeal and antibacterial honey to reduce redness in dry, damaged skin.

Colloidal (finely ground) oatmeal has been found to improve skin’s moisture retention and help maintain skin surface pH. It can also treat itching, dryness and roughness.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup hot water
• 1/3 cup oatmeal
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp plain yogurt

Instructions

1. Combine hot water and oatmeal in a bowl; stir and allow to rest while oatmeal softens
2. Combine with honey and yogurt
3. Apply the mixture to clean skin and let dry for 15 minutes
4. Rinse face with lukewarm water; pat dry

Papaya face mask for glowing skin

In this mask, the naturally occurring enzymes in papaya gently exfoliate to brighten dry, dull skin without causing irritation. If the tightening effect of the egg white is uncomfortable on your skin, use only half or omit altogether. 

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup mashed papaya
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 whipped egg white

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients and apply to clean skin
2. Wait 10–15 minutes or until mask starts to tighten
3. Rinse face with lukewarm water; pat dry

Strawberry anti-acne face mask

This face mask is designed to improve the conditions that cause blemishes while being gentle enough for sensitive skin.

Strawberries contain salicylate, a chemical derived from salicylic acid that can unclog pores. The yogurt contains lactic acid for a mild exfoliating effect and the honey’s antibacterial properties may help fight acne-causing bacteria on the skin’s surface.

Ingredients

• 3–4 strawberries
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp yogurt

Instructions

1. Mash strawberries with a fork
2. Add honey and yogurt; mix well
3. Apply to clean skin and let dry for 15 minutes
4. Rinse face with lukewarm water; pat dry

Glycerin anti-aging face mask

This simple recipe hydrates and evens out skin tone while providing anti-aging benefits.

Glycerin helps the skin retain moisture while vitamin E has been proven to improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It is also anti-inflammatory, meaning it can soothe sensitive skin.

Ingredients

• 1 tsp vegetable glycerin (found in pharmacies)
• 2 vitamin E capsules

Instructions

1. Break open vitamin E capsules and combine oil with glycerin
2. Apply to clean skin and allow to rest for 30 minutes
3. Rinse face with lukewarm water; pat dry

Sensitive Skin Routine

As a rule, try to use beauty products with the least amount of ingredients as possible; the more ingredients your skin is exposed to, the more likely it is to become irritated.

In the morning and evening, wash your face with a cleansing cream or lotion, then follow up with a fragrance-free moisturizer. Use a face mask once or twice a week.

Throughout the day, a hydrating facial mist containing rose water, cucumber or aloe vera can effectively calm inflamed skin. Facial mists are available at beauty supply stores and pharmacies, or can be created at home. 

A facial oil can provide extra protection for a damaged moisture barrier. Use a light oil such as jojoba or almond oil that won’t clog pores, and apply at night to avoid a greasy appearance.

Takeaway

Skin sensitivity can be a result of a chronic skin disease such as rosacea or eczema, or a temporary condition when skin is irritated by such factors as skin care products or laundry detergent. Skin becomes sensitive and irritated when it’s protective barrier is compromised. 

Face masks treat this sensitivity by offering highly concentrated amounts of active ingredients to soothe symptoms such as dryness and redness, while rebuilding the skin’s natural protective barrier.

Hydrate dry skin with hyaluronic acid, ceramides and plant oils, and butters. Acne can be managed by pairing acne-fighting ingredients with those that are soothing or substituting drugstore products with natural ingredients.

DIY treatment mask recipes can be effective in treating sensitive skin due to their soothing ingredients and because you are better able to identify potential triggers.

Sensitive skin can usually be managed with some trial and error as you discover what triggers negative reactions in your skin. If you are struggling to develop a skin care routine that does not aggravate your skin, consult a dermatologist.