The leaves are falling, the clocks are about to go back and Christmas decorations are about to occupy a supermarket aisle near you - winter is most definitely on the way, bringing with it the promise of harsh weather, central heating and festive excess. Surprisingly, none of these factors tend to make for a glowing complexion, and in winter we can find our skin looking lacklustre, feeling dry and suffering from breakouts.
How best to combat a case of sad winter skin? By upping your skincare game and investing in some super-charged face masks to target your every complexion concern. Grab one of the below, queue up your favourite Netflix guilty pleasure and relax...
1. Best overnight mask: Origins Drink Up Overnight Mask
Whether you simply don't have the time to slot a face mask into your daily routine or the colder weather has left your skin feeling tight and dehydrated, an overnight moisturising mask like this Origins favourite is the answer. Simply apply to cleansed skin last thing at night, catch some zzz and then wake up to hydrated, happy-looking skin. Active ingredients like avocado and apricot kernel oils help build up moisture reserves for the coming day, too, preventing the emergence of crepe-y fine lines on the forehead and around the eyes come lunch time.
2. Best for dry winter skin: Vichy Quenching Mineral Mask
If your skin is a little on the dry side year round, it's likely that harsher winter weather conditions will exacerbate the problem. To combat this, work a hydrating mask like Vichy's latest release into your skincare regime. Twice a week should be enough to notice a real difference, and you'll probably find that make-up becomes easier to apply, too. Unlike many other moisturising masks on the market, Vichy's offering has been specially formulated for sensitive skin, meaning that it's not too heavy and won't throw your skin into a cycle of breakouts.
3. Best clay mask: L'Oreal Paris Pure Clay Detox Mask
New for autumn are L'Oreal's brilliant (and budget-friendly) clay masks, targeting a variety of skincare concerns. While we love all three, the detoxifying clay mask already stands out as a favourite. A treat for oily, congested skin, it stops blemishes in their tracks without leaving the complexion feeling tight and dry (often a downside to other clay masks we've tested). It's also perfect for multi-masking: for combination skin types, use this around the T-zone and chin then swap in a moisturising mask for the cheeks and forehead.
£7.99, www.feelunique.com
4. Best for instance radiance: Bobbi Brown Radiance Boost Mask
Office central heating and a lack of natural light left your skin looking dull and depleted? Formulated using extra-fine walnut grains to boost the circulation, beauty hero Bobbi Brown's exfoliating mask is the pick-me-up you've been looking for. Leave on for five minutes before rinsing off with warm water, massaging in circular motions to slough off dead skin cells and leave the complexion looking instantly brighter.
£33, www.bobbibrown.co.uk
5. Best for sheer indulgence: Eve Lom Moisture Mask
For a luxurious pampering treat on a dark winter evening, it's hard to beat Eve Lom's Moisture Mask. Simply apply to cleansed skin, sit back and let the mask do its magic - there's no need to wash or scrub off, as the formula sinks effortlessly into the complexion. There's also the fact that the beautifully minimalist packaging will add a touch of the spa to the most average of bathrooms...
£65, www.spacenk.com
6. Best all-rounder: Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask
Fresh's Instant Perfecting Mask is certainly an extravagance, but it's worth every penny. Leave on for just five minutes and you'll notice an immediate difference - the complexion looks brighter, fine lines appear reduced and even dry skin feels softer, as if you've put yourself through a real-life Instagram filter. This is all down to a cocktail of super-ingredients: black tea, a powerful anti-oxidant, lychee seed extract and Jicama root juice.
£71, www.fresh.com
7. Best for congested skin: Dr Hauschka Revitalising Mask
A long-time cult favourite for natural beauty fans, Dr Hauschka's Revitalising Mask is formulated using quince seed, anthyllis and chamomile to target blemishes and an uneven complexion. Reassuringly heavy-duty, after twenty minutes your skin will be given a new lease of life (we promise...)
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READ MORE: Our Top Five Face Masks For Every Skincare Concern