Beauty Hacks

Top rated 5-minute face masks

Whether it’s stress, sun or lack of sleep that’s the culprit, sometimes your skin needs a little extra something to get it looking good – and that’s where face masks come in. Yet you don’t always have time to sit down for 20 minutes or so while the damn thing dries. (Hmmph!) But that’s ok, we’ve got some seriously clever ones here at CB that are formulated to get their act together in 5 minutes or less, so you can even apply it in the time it takes for the Uber to arrive and whisk you off to that glamorous soirée. Here are five speedy complexion saviours that deliver the goods.

To knock knackered, stressed skin into shape …

If you can imagine having a drill sergeant coming round when you’re feeling sluggish and making you do 10 push-ups, burpees and squats, the {Tranquil Radiance Nutrient Mask} does the equivalent of that, but for your complexion – effectively turning it ‘off and on again’. Tackling the key signs of stress – from dryness and dullness to redness, sensitivity and lost elasticity – this buffet of goodness will soothe and revitalise compromised skin. Your dull, parched punim won’t know what hit it.

To wake your up face come 7am …

This South Korean export is a mask but not as we know it. We’re talking about {Blithe Patting Splash Mask – Energy Yellow Citrus & Honey}. Derived from a centuries-old Korean ritual of splashing nutrient-rich waters over the skin after cleansing, the idea is to add a capful to a sink of water and literally splash your face with it (or use it in the shower in the same way). That’s it – no waiting around. The formula contains citrus, honey and lactic acid to give your skin a wake-up call and then some, soothing and resurfacing for a peachy clean complexion.

For unclogging an oily complexion …

This best-selling {Aesop Parsley Seed Facial Cleansing Masque} acts like a HIIT class for congested city skin. Purified clay draws out all the gunk without leaving your skin tight and uncomfortable, while rosehip and parsley seed come through with the antioxidants to help repair skin from pollution and sun damage. It balances sebum levels too, helping to make shiny skin a thing of the past.

To get your glow on …

Channel your inner glow with this gorgeously pink {Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask} which acts like a superfood smoothie for your skin. As you might imagine, it’s packed with watermelon extract-derived vitamins, antioxidants and amino acids to strengthen, moisturise, hydrate, soften and get your complexion coming up roses.

For calming angry skin …

Ok, so the packaging says to leave {Tony Moly I’m Real Mask – Tea Tree} for 20 minutes, but we reckon a five-minute how d’you do with this should deliver a decent glug of anti-bacterial goodness to skin that’s feeling a little hot and bothered. Perfect for popping on before you apply your foundation, your complexion will seriously benefit, thanks to a calming brew of natural green tea tree leaf, rosemary and jasmine to soothe any redness and irritation.

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Verity Douglas

Verity Douglas

Content Editor

Cult Beauty’s Content Editor and a Cult Beauty OG, Verity loves nothing more than the marriage of language and lip balm. A quintessential Libran, she’s a self-professed magpie for luxury ‘must-haves' and always pursuing the new and the niche — from the boujee-est skin care to cutting-edge tech. Balancing an urge to stop the clock with her desire to embrace the ageing process (and set a positive example for her daughter), Verity's a retinol obsessive and will gladly share her thoughts about the time-defying gadgets, masks and treatments worth the splurge...