Squeaky clean skin, instant glow and freshness, and a brighter, even-toned complexion – these are some of the many benefits of using a vitamin C face mask. It’s also a gentle exfoliator, which makes it an absolute must for summer. Our skin needs an extra touch of care to get rid of the dust and grime that settles into pores, especially for a special event.
To avoid the aforementioned summer skin challenges and add a dose of much-needed TLC to your summer skincare steps, we’ve rounded up 10 vitamin C face masks in five different variants. Before we jump to our picks, let’s first look at some do’s and don’ts you must observe while adding vitamin C to your skincare routine.
Vitamin C: Best Practices
1. If you’re planning to regularly apply a vitamin C mask or serum, it’s best to start slow. Begin by using a mask once or twice a week and gradually move to three or four times.
2. While vitamin C does not make the skin more sensitive to the sun, it’s good to use under SPF to fortify your skin further against UV/UB damage.
3. Incorporate vitamin C in your diet to get a glow from within – consume citrus fruits regularly for a more holistic approach to brightening your skin.
Clay Mask: For Oily, Acne-Prone Skin
A clay mask is the ultimate skin-soothing experience to treat yourself on a lazy summer day. To reap further benefits, it’s crucial to choose a clay mask with the right ingredients for your skin woes. We recommend Nykaa’s Clay It Cool Perfect Glow Clay Mask, which contains kojic acid and vitamin C for instant brightening. If you’re looking for a vegan option, try SkinQ’s Glow Bright Wonder Mask, specially formulated for tired and pigmented skin. The latter also contains glycolic acid, which can deliver an evident glow within 15–20 minutes.
Overnight Treatment: For All Skin Types
If you want to go the ultimate pampering route, we recommend an overnight face mask that’ll give you a ‘woke up like this’ satisfaction in the morning! Suitable for most skin types – the key is to use it in moderate frequency, once or twice a week – Dot & Key’s Glow C Sleep Mask Vitamin C Overnight Radiance Recovery does what it claims, as per the reviews on Nykaa. If your skin is sensitive, limit using overnight masks to once or twice a week. Remember to cleanse and tone your face before putting one on!
Sheet Masks: For All Skin Types
Don’t have the time or patience to slather on a clay or peel-off mask and wait for it to dry? Don’t worry; this is precisely why we’ve included the easy-to-use variant a.k.a. sheet mask. Make the most of a lazy Sunday with a sheet mask saturated with vitamin C. Simply put the mask on for 15–20 minutes (catch up on your Instagram scrolling or watch a rerun) and work the residue into your skin after removing it. Treat yourself to the gooey goodness of Lakmé’s 95% pure vitamin C complex mask or the caviar- and collagen-infused formula from TONYMOLY (nobody does instant brightening like a Korean brand!).
Vitamin C Under Eye Patches: For All Skin Types
Most vitamin C-infused masks offer instantly brighter-looking skin – a last-minute saviour for special events. But if it’s still not enough to bring the light back to your (under) eyes, we recommend an additional step – try these under-eye serum patches for extra TLC. The viral vegan brand PIXI offers 60 patches soaked in vitamin C, liquorice, and ginseng to liven up tired-looking eyes and dark circles. If you want a budget option, go for the indie brand Swiss Beauty which offers aloe vera- and vitamin C-infused patches at just INR 349!
