Our routines are often passed on to us by our parents, and maybe that’s why if I sleep past 8am I feel like the “day is wasted”—thanks, mom. In a similar way, our beauty routines are influenced by what we see our parents or older siblings do. When I was a kid, my mom had this tube of “mint julep”; it was an exfoliating mask that she purchased at our local drug store and every once in a while we would squeeze a thick green paste out of the tube. It was the classic green, like the color of a face mask that teen movies would show at a slumber party. My mom and I would leave it on until it cracked when you tried to smile (~15 minutes) and then rinse it off and that was it. We never dabbled in other masks, but let me tell you, masks are something to take seriously—or as seriously as you can for something that is all about self-care.

Shopping for a mask is simply fun—it goes beyond your basic routine and it’s a bit of a “treat yourself” moment. Each time I’ve purchased a mask I’ve looked forward to the moment at the end of the day where I finally get to use it and for the 30-45 minutes, and I have an extended moment of self-care. It’s the time of the week where I plop myself on the couch wearing my favorite set of pajamas, read, and enjoy while the mask works its magic (hopefully).

However, picking the right mask is important and just because your friend offers you a really great mask that she loves, does NOT mean your skin is going to love it too. Mask ingredients will work really hard for you, but only if it’s the right mask for your skin type—so be thoughtful and have fun with it. A mask should be curated for your skin needs so it always helps to do your research.

I’ve experimented with quite a few masks and I’ve been dealt my share of misses…and have found quite a few good ones. These are the current masks on my rotation—what masks have been in your routine?

May Lindstrom’s The Problem Solver: The Spiciest Mask of the Bunch

The Problem Solver made by May Lindstrom knows me on a personal level. I love taking my care of my skin, but sometimes I think my skin is a bit of a rebellious teenager. Things can be going so well and all of a sudden, my skin has a bit of a tantrum—usually this happens right around the time that I think things are going well. This is where The Problem Solver steps in. This is a mask that means business and also comes in peace. It’s actually sold in a powdered form and you mix it yourself with a little water in a separate bowl. As you stir, you can literally hear the crackle (almost like the sound Rice Krispie cereal makes) as this mask comes to life. This mask is serious, and in full transparency, it feels spicy which means my eyes water when I use this mask—but then again, I think Colgate toothpaste is spicy, so don’t take my word on that. The Problem Solver is good for acne-prone skin and will pull out any impurities.

Tata Harper’s Resurfacing Mask

Do you ever have one of those days where nothing is going awry with your skin, BUT maybe it’s not glowing or simply it’s just a bit dull? Or maybe that’s just a me thing, but anyways, this is a mask meant for days when you need a brightening moment. This is a bit more of a relaxing mask compared to The Problem Solver—there’s no crackle or spice—but this mask is beautiful in its own way. The ingredients, including willow bark and pomegranate enzymes, work to refine pores, smooth the texture of your skin, and provide a bit of a dewy glow. This is a solid mask for folks who are just looking for a bit of pep to your skin.

Herbivore’s Blue Tansy Resurfacing Mask

I wrote about this mask during a previous post (check it out here), but it’s a mask worth revisiting. I have combination skin so I always teeter between acne-prone and dry skin, and I find this mask works well to prevent breakouts and reduce any inflammation, while not drying out my skin. I know firsthand that we all kind of panic during breakouts. We want the breakout gone, but sometimes we leave our skin in disarray due to all the drying products that you may pull from your vanity during a crisis—I’ve been there, and I’m training myself to not go back to that “dry spot” (pun intended). This mask is a gentle treatment for acne prone skin, but still powerful. The white willow bark is an all-natural anti-inflammatory and will work to clear your skin, and blue tansy will also work to soothe your skin. It has a slightly blue hue from the blue tansy, but will look somewhat clear and glossy when you put it on. Even though it doesn’t have a clay base common in acne-solving masks, this mask will still help rid you of impurities and prevent future breakouts. I took a bit of a break from this mask a few months ago, but it has been pulled back into the rotation—my skin is not a fan of the warm, cold, and then back to warm weather we have been experiencing in Boston.