I’ve been on a face mask kick lately. I know everyone is really into sheet masks but I actually prefer the ones that you scoop out of the jar and slather onto your face. A few times a week after I take my makeup off and wash my face, I like to light some candles and put on a mask. It’s very relaxing! Self-care rituals are so important. Read more for six masks currently on my radar:

Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Mask

Dr. Barbara Sturm is a German doctor that’s been getting a lot of buzz in the beauty world for her powerful but uncomplicated treatments. This aloe vera and chamomile mask was made for extra moisture and hydration. Purslane, the key active ingredient in the range, activates the skin’s own anti-oxidant system and protects sensitive cell membranes against free radical attack. It’s kind of like a moisturizing and soothing/stress-reducing mask in one.

It’s gentle enough to apply two to three times a week on clean skin. The texture is super creamy. You leave it on for 10-15 minutes and then rinse it off before applying moisturizer.

Ursa Major Bright & Easy 3 Minute Flash Mask

New mask alert from Ursa Major! Ursa Major is a brand based in Vermont that my boyfriend and I have both really been loving recently. This is a super fast three minute enzyme face treatment that accelerates cell turnover and dissolves dead surface skin. It does so by using fruit enzymes instead of harsh physical exfoliants.

Very bouncy texture. Not rough at all. Clarifies and brightens dull skin. Easy to rinse off and smells tropical like pineapple, coffee and orange. You can use the code COLLECTIONOFVIALS for 20% off your Ursa Major order!

While I was organizing my beauty cabinets, I stumbled upon my little collection of Tata Harper masks. I’ve since moved them to my bathroom cabinet and have been trying them all out lately whenever I’m in the mood for a mask.

Tata Harper Clarifying Mask

This mask from Tata Harper was formulated with blemish-prone skin in mind. It works to mask the appearance of breakouts, redness and excess sebum. Salicylic acid, lactic acid and AHA superfruit minimize the appearance of blemishes and reduce the appearance of pores. Chlorella nourishes and hydrates the skin with vitamins and fatty acids. This mask also has quartz sand micro-crystal, a physical exfoliant, to slough off dead skin cells.  Because this is a physical exfoliator, I don’t use this more than once a week.

Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask

So this mask used to be a lighter color but I think it darkened over time due to the natural ingredients. It acts like a traditional peel and delivers an instant glow to the skin. This is a good mask to reach for when you only have five minutes to spare. Another plus is that it is super easy to wash off.

Tata Harper Purifying Mask

This is an Allure Best of Beauty winner! It gives your skin a deep cleanse and purges the buildup from the surface of the skin. The texture is super rich and creamy. I like to apply a thick layer, leave it on for 10 to 20 minutes and then rinse thoroughly with cold water.

Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin E Mask

This mask boosts radiance and glow. According to Klairs, “end your day with Vitamin E mask and start brighter skin the next day.” Vitamin E is an antioxidant with a multitude of benefits and not only slows aging and improving the effects of vitamin C.

It has the coolest texture. It’s kind of jelly-like? Or maybe like pudding? Regardless, the mask goes from a jelly/pudding like texture when it touches the skin and transforms into a rich essence.

You can also do some DIYs and mix different products together with this mask. Klairs recommends the Vitamin Drop, Vitamin Mask and Soothing Cream together. I’ve tried the Vitamin E Mask + the Youth Activating Blue Drop and it’s worked well.

One thing I started doing was wearing masks into the shower. I went to an event at Cap Beauty with Maryna, the founder of Mahalo Care. She said that the steam opened up your pores in the shower and allowed for deeper penetration. As an added plus, masks are 100x easier to wash off using the shower than using the sink.