Cooling face masks are not just for the warmer months, as they have many properties that can help to hydrate your skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Here at Yours, our shopping experts have used their investigative skills to bring you the very best cooling face masks for mature skin.
By spending just 15 minutes every day with a face cooling mask on, it can help give your skin the reset it needs after a long day and leave you looking radiant and glowing. Most cooling face masks are easy to apply too, so for minimal effort you will get lots of benefits.
How cooling face masks work
Cooling face masks have many benefits and can refresh the skin. They can also deeply cleanse and hydrate your face, which will help to reduce dryness as well as dehydration.
It's also a good way to soothe irritated skin, with most ingredients in a cooling mask containing antioxidants that help to give your face its glow back.
What ingredients to look out for
Rosewater helps to balance the skins natural oils, helping to leave your skin feeling refreshed rather than dry and tight. It's hydrating and plumps up skin, and is also full of vitamins and minerals that are helpful for collagen and elastin.
Cucumber consists of 96 per cent water and can help with skin hydration. It also has an anti-inflammatory and cooling effect which can reduce the appearance of redness.
Aloe vera helps to hydrate and lock in moisture, which also cools the skin. Also, it can help to restore elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Sandalwood has many benefits for the skin. It nourishes and can even cool heat rashes. Properties of sandalwood can also help fade away wrinkles and fine lines.
Mint is extremely soothing and can help irritated skin to relax. After use, it leaves a cooling sensation, as mint has antibacterial properties that eliminate bacteria.
Best vegan and organic face mask
Holland and Barrettwww.hollandandbarrett.com
A natural vegan face mask that's also fully organic.
Key ingredients
Aloe vera
Shea butter
Chamomile
We think this face mask offers real value for money, especially as it's all organic. It soothes and cools skin, as well as hydrating and rebalancing. We also love that it contains pre and probiotics to really nourish the skin.
Pros
- The use of probiotics nourishes the skin's microbiome, reducing breakouts and giving a healthier complexion.
- This mask is suitable for vegans.
- It includes fully natural and organic ingredients.
- It is good value for money.
Cons
- Once applied and dry, it has to be removed with water or a damp cloth.
Best cucumber cooling mask
An ultra-soft gel with plant power that helps to detoxify and intensely moisturise your skin. It's packed with ingredients that all aim to soothe and soften, leaving your skin looking radiant.
Key ingredients
• Cucumber
• Chamomile
• Lemon
Customers really love how well this mask nourishes the skin. It might not be a budget buy, but it is great quality, and suitable for most skin types as this user can attest: "I have true combination skin, eczema prone on forehead and acne prone around nose and mouth. I can apply this mask all over and doesn’t flare up either, leaves my skin feeling moisturised, without looking shiny or feeling greasy!"
Pros
- It is suitable for most skin types.
- It has a cooling cucumber gel format.
- The mask leaves your skin feeling moisturised without the shiny or greasy appearance.
- It has detoxifying properties, making your skin feel refreshed and revitalised.
Cons
- The mask comes at a higher price point compared to other alternatives.
Best aloe vera cooling mask
www.kiehls.co.uk
This refreshing face masque gives a surge of coolness when applied and instantly helps to hydrate and soothe skin. It also helps your complexion looking more balanced and healthier.
Key ingredients
• Aloe vera
• Calendula
We love Kiehl's here at Yours and although their products aren't cheap, they are good quality and this mask is no exception. Reviews praise how soothing and cooling it is, and highlight how good it is at cooling the skin after a day in the sun.
Review: "I love this mask. I use it once a week and its very soothing and cooling. Great for the summer and if your skin is slightly sensitive from the summer."
Pros
- It helps to reduces blotchiness.
- It is suitable for sensitive skin, due to it's quality ingredients.
- It includes soothing Aloe Vera, making it ideal for sunburn or irritated skin.
Cons
- It has a higher price tag - but it is a good quality product.
Best sandalwood cooling mask
www.superdrug.com
This creamy and thick face mask helps to nourish and hydrate skin. The cooling mask gently draws out impurities to deeply cleanse skin.
Key ingredients
• Sandalwood
• Shea butter
Customers love that it brightens skin, and we love that it draws out impurities which we find useful for banishing spots. It is thick, and you do have to leave it for 20 minutes, but skin is left nourished and hydrated.
Pros
- The shea butter deeply cleanses and hydrates the skin, leaving it feeling soft.
- Draws out impurities which may help with clearing spots and blemishes.
- Great for dry skin, due to it's thick texture.
Cons
- Although it's hydrating the thick texture may feel heavy on your face.
Best mint cooling mask
Superdrug www.superdrug.com
This indulgent face mask has a cooling sensation when applied, which leaves you feeling refreshed.
Key ingredients
• Peppermint
• Witch hazel
Especially good for spot-prone skin, this Amphora face mask contains cooling peppermint and witch hazel. You simply apply and wait 10-15 mins for it to dry, then remove and pat the skin dry. Skin is left nourished and balanced, and reviews mention how great it is for oily complexions. That said, it is suitable for anyone and is also vegan.
Pros
- Great for spot-prone skin, as it helps balance oily complexions by calming irritation.
- The mask contains soothing peppermint and witch hazel.
- The peppermint ingredient provides an immediate cooling effect.
- It has a quick application and only requires 10-15 minutes to dry.
Cons
- Some people don't like the tingling sensation of peppermint masks.
- The peppermint may be too intense for people with sensitive skin.
Best reusable cooling face mask
Amazon The cold therapy gel mask is easy to use and also reusable. Place it in the fridge or freezer until it's reached the desired temperature and then use. It moulds to your skin and has straps to secure it in place too. It can also help to relieve tension. It also comes with a specific eye mask for targeted relief for tired eyes.
As well as cooling relief for hot flushes, other buyers have used it for different issues. As one says: "I bought this to use for my headaches and I really like it. More or less it's a malleable ice pack for your face."
Customers also praise the soft backing, though the velcro straps can get caught in long hair.
Pros
- The mask is reusable, making it environmentally friendly.
- The gel material moulds comfortably to your face for even coverage.
- The temperature of the mask can be customised by placing it in the fridge of freezer for your desired time.
- The mask also comes with eye mask, which is perfect for tired eyes.
Cons
- Keep long hair out of the way - a few reviewers have got the velcro straps stuck in their hair!
Best sheet face mask
The gel mask fits to your face shape and helps relieve skin. Leave the mask on for 15 to 20 minutes. It also helps to moisturise and protect the skin.
Key ingredients
• Agave
• Blueberry
• Seaweed
Customers love how well this mask moisturizes the skin as well as cooling. Most use it once a week as part of their skin care routine and find it makes a real difference to the softness of their face.
Pros
- The pack contains 5 masks, making it better value for money.
- It has an excellent adhesion to your face, due to it's gel texture.
- They moisturise as well as soothes your skin.
- It works in just 15-20 minutes, making it easy to integrate into your self-care routine.
Cons
- Although hydrating agave or seaweed could cause irritation to those with sensitive skin.
Best one-time use cooling face mask
This Correct and Calm cooling face mask helps to cool and hydrate skin, treating irritation in just 20 minutes. It also helps to reduce the appearance of redness.
Key ingredients
• Coconut
• Witch hazel
• Eucalyptus
Customers like its easy application and say it's "a quicker alternative to applying conventional home masks with a brush."
"My skin looked radiant and felt very soft afterwards," says one. Many buyers have also tried other masks in the range and have said they're constantly good.
Pros
- It cools and hydrates your skin whilst treating irritation within 20 minutes.
- It balances your skin tone.
- The mask helps to reduced redness and clam your skin.
- It is easy to apply and includes nourishing ingredients.
Cons
- The price may be seen as expensive for a one-time use mask.
Recommended
Best value reusable mask
This cooling face mask also comes with eye masks that help to reduce dark circles and wrinkles. It also helps to tighten skin and leaves it feeling refreshed and soothed.
Customers love how great it is for hot flushes, and that it cools quickly in the fridge or freezer. It stays cold for about ten minutes, so plenty of time to really feel the effects.
Reviews also praise the value for money of the product and we have to agree, especially as it's reusable. People have said it can get a little stiff over time but massaging it under warm water before cooling should help.
Pros
- It tightens your skin whilst helping to reduce dark circles and wrinkles.
- It revitalises your skin giving you a refreshing feeling.
- The mask is reusable, making it environmentally friendly.
- The eye masks specifically targets puffiness, dark circles and fine lines around the eyes.
Cons
- With repeated use the mask can go a bit stiff.
Best cooling face mask FAQs
How do I apply a cooling face mask?
If you have a sheet mask, these can be placed over your face and will stick to your skin. Applying creams should be done with an upward motion to massage it onto your skin.
How often should I use a cooling face mask?
It makes a great addition to your skincare routine, however they are not compulsory. Through winter, using a cooling face mask once or twice a week will be effective. During warmer months, you can increase use as your skin might suffer more from sun exposure.
How do I know which is right for me?
If you have spare time in the evening, a cooling face mask cream will be a better option as you will have more time to apply it to your skin. For a quick and easy option, a reusable or sheet cooling face mask is a better choice.