Why Masks Are Not A Waste Of Time

As I write this, my face is slathered in Fresh Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy Boosting Mask ($62; fresh.com).

And I believe I'm not the only one who multi-tasks while masking. I recently interviewed actress/beauty mogul Jessica Alba for a Real Simple story, and she said she often wears a skincare mask while sipping her morning coffee and making breakfast for her daughters. In fact, most women with great skin I know say they find a way to shoehorn a treatment mask into their busy schedules: wearing one while answering emails, on a conference call, running on a treadmill at home, or on an overnight flight.

The point is that using a mask to exfoliate, calm and/or hydrate is not just an exercise in self-pamerping. It is the single best way to ensure your complexion is getting what it needs right now. Because some weeks our skin is tight and dry; some weeks we’re hormonal and breaking out; and some weeks we’re feeling sensitive. And squeezing in one weekly, ten-minute mask sure beats overhauling your whole skincare regimen to combat this week's complexion crisis.

My recommendation is to create what I call a mask wardrobe, consisting of two to three formulas that tackle what plagues your skin most often (e.g. dryness, dullness, redness, breakouts), then use weekly (or as needed).  Some of my favorites right now: To calm sensitized skin, Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Gel Mask ($52; sephora.com) and Mario Badescu Healing Soothing Mask ($20; ulta.com); to hydrate, Mary Kay Moisture Renewing Gel Mask ($22; marykay.com); and to exfoliate or deep-clean, Juara Radiance Enzyme Scrub/Mask ($38; juaraskincare.com), Yes to Tomatoes Single Use Acne Fighting Paper Mask ($3; ulta.com); and Dr. Brandt Magnetight Age-Defier Magnet Mask ($75; sephora.com).