9 best skincare headbands for washing your face, reviewed

Finding the best skincare headbands to add to your collection may just revolutionise your beauty routine. This may sound like hyperbole, but seriously, who wants hair getting everywhere while they're cleansing, applying serum and finishing off with a night cream? Having the perfect accessory to comfortably protect hair – and allow you to reach skin right up into your hairline – is sort of an essential, IMO.

For years prior to investing in a good skincare headband, I'd simply been tying my hair up with a silk scrunchie, not really caring to protect the hair at the front of my face. Because of this, these delicate strands have gone through breakage and staining (from fake tan and makeup), making a skincare headband a must for a whole host of reasons.

Getting one completely changed the way I did my skincare, making my routine x1000 easier and helping me to really embrace self-care just that little bit more.

I've been using an elasticated wrap-around headband for a while now (mostly because it allows me to feel like I'm in a spa), but lately I've been totally influenced by the cute bubble headband styles floating around TikTok. This all started back in 2022 when skincare brand Versed did a PR mailer and sent out these cute spa headbands in their parcels, causing a social media meltdown.

These days, one search of the hashtag on TT and you'll find hundreds of videos with creators showing just how stylish, fun and practical these bands can be. Not only do they look cute, they also have great grip, allow you to get hair completely off your face, and are made from soft fabrics that are gentle to both skin and hair.

SKIP TO: Which type of skincare headband is best? | How we test products | Our full reviews.

This really comes down to preference in many ways, as it's about comfort as well as personal style. I personally find hard headbands like the bubble styles to be preferable, as elasticated styles can pull a little on hair and feel a touch itchy and uncomfortable if left on for periods of time.

However, I do find the latter useful for keeping hair completely dry; you can bring them right up to your hairline to ensure water never touches your strands. There are also pros to using a velcro-strap style, mostly because they are adjustable (so can fit you just right) and are often the most affordable.

Whichever style you choose, you should prioritise comfort, which mostly comes in the form of a soft, gentle fabric such as cotton (which is also usually washable). Absorbent materials such as microfibre and terrycloth are also handy, as they suck up any excess moisture left by water or product, and dry quickly.

You can also make your decision based on what you'll be using your beauty headband for most. While I find them essential for my skincare routine, I also love to reach for one while applying a face mask or doing my morning makeup routine. This means keeping the band on for slightly longer, meaning you must feel comfortable!

The GLAMOUR editors have collectively trialled dozens of skincare headbands, having reviewed each accessory during their skincare routine, keeping in mind fabric, comfort and efficacy at keeping hair out of the way, as well as value for money. Find out how we test here.