Exfoliating can sometimes leave your skin a little red or irritated, which is the last thing you want when you're trying to squeeze in a sloughing session before a big night out or important event. This five-minute formula contains both chemical exfoliants (enzymes, salicylic acid) and physical exfoliants (diatomaceous earth), but also has added rice bran extract and caffeine to soothe skin and minimize the likelihood of any irritation.
As a rule, sheet masks work fairly quickly -- covering the skin improves the penetration of the ingredients -- but this option goes above and beyond, getting the job done in just five minutes. Credit a combination of moisturizing ingredients, including hyaluronic acid and yeast amino acids to minimize transepidermal water loss (i.e. how much water escapes from your skin). We also found the fit nice and snug and the eye, nose and mouth holes to be the perfect size -- which isn't always the case with other sheet masks.
Here's a cool concept: Rather than using acids to dissolve dead skin cells, this peel contains polymers that break down calcium bonds, the "glue" that holds the dead cells together. The upshot? It's safe for even the most sensitive skin types. Not to mention that you only have to leave it on for 10 seconds (yes, seconds), before rubbing it off and rinsing. And as you rub it off, the dead skin balls up into little particles -- a little gross, a lot satisfying -- so that you can actually see it working.
This celeb esthetician's eponymous line is full of great masks, but when time is of the essence, reach for this one. Suitable for all skin types, it touts exfoliating lactic acid, brightening kojic acid, and kaolin clay and volcanic ash to remove impurities. Leave it on for five minutes, mask-style, or work it in like a scrub for one minute. (Either way, keep your phone handy, the gold color is very Instagram-worthy.) If you have more time on your hands, you can even sleep in it overnight.
Activated carbon quickly and effectively pulls out unwanted gunk, grime and other nasties, choice for anyone with oily skin. Play DIY, and mix up the neutral base and packet of active ingredients, then leave on for five minutes. You won't have to spend any time rinsing after, since the peel-off formula comes off in one fell swoop.
