It is no surprise that face masks are among the most popular spa treatments—both at home and at the hands of a specialist. The tingling, the texture, the soothing smell, and the overall ahhhhh factor are all major draws. But are they just facial sensory frills, or do face masks work, for real?

Here is my take as a board-certified dermatologist: I think of face masks as the deadlift to my squat.