Smoothing on a face mask isn’t just your cue to relax, DIY spa-day style. In addition to being a self-care staple, facial masks can act as targeted treatments—products to help address a variety of skin concerns, including blemishes and dullness. With that said, it’s critical to choose a formula that suits your skin type and concerns. While you can technically apply any formula and pop a couple of cucumber slices over your eyes to give the illusion of showing yourself TLC, using the right mask is the way to truly (effectively) pamper yourself.
Thankfully, we’ve got plenty of facial masks in our arsenal. Here, we’ll introduce you to our best face masks for every skin type. You’ll discover a few of our top tips for making the most out of your at-home facial routine, too. So slip on your comfiest loungewear, settle in, and read on to discover your mask match.
For All Skin Types:
Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Mask
All skin needs a steady supply of water to look and feel its best. Without adequate hydration, your skin’s natural moisture barrier can’t do its job properly. Over time, this can leave you vulnerable to skin concerns like redness and irritation. Whether you’re dry, oily, or fall somewhere in between, you can bolster your regular skincare routine with a hydrating mask like Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Mask.
This fragrance-free mask with squalane and desert plant extract helps replenish the skin’s water reserves for long-lasting hydration. After completing your regular nighttime skincare routine, smooth a thick layer of the creamy formula onto your face. Wait ten minutes, then gently wipe off any excess with a clean tissue and crawl into bed. The overnight facial mask works while you sleep to smooth and soften your skin. The gentle formula is suitable for all skin types and can be used up to twice per week for fresh, healthy-looking skin.
For Oily Skin:
Rare Earth Deep Pore Minimizing Cleansing Clay Mask
Oily skin is a common skin type characterized by an overproduction of sebum, the skin’s natural moisturizer. While sebum has plenty of benefits—it helps keep your skin hydrated and helps preserve the skin’s youthful appearance—too much of it can give the skin a shiny or greasy appearance. Excess sebum can also contribute to clogged pores, blackheads, and other types of blemishes.
To help keep your skin’s oiliness under control, try Rare Earth Deep Pore Minimizing Cleansing Clay Mask. Made with bentonite clay and Amazonian white clay, this award-winning face mask helps cleanse and detoxify oily skin. The mineral-rich formula helps draw impurities and is clinically-demonstrated to instantly diminish clogged pores and blackheads.* In one application, the gentle formula helps reduce surface oil, while continued use helps minimize the appearance of enlarged pores. We recommend using this purifying mask two to three times weekly to help promote a clearer, more refined appearance.
*Results based on expert grading in a two-week clinical test on 54 subjects.
For Dry Skin:
Avocado Nourishing Hydration Mask
On the other end of the spectrum is dry skin, or skin that lacks adequate oil. Excessive dryness can make the skin look dull and feel tight or rough. To help restore your skin’s moisture, hydration is key. For both instant and long-term benefits, we recommend reaching for a face mask that contains skin-smoothing emollients, such as Avocado Nourishing Hydration Mask.
This creamy face mask for dry skin is formulated with a blend of moisturizing ingredients, including avocado oil, evening primrose oil, and glycerin. The unique formula helps seal in moisture to prevent excessive water loss. In fact, it’s clinically-demonstrated to leave the skin hydrated and softer after a single application.* While this face mask is a must for dry skin, it’s suitable for all skin types and can be used up to three times per week for supple, nourished skin.
*Consumer perception study, US: 55 subjects, all skin types, immediate time point.
For Sensitive Skin:
Calendula Petal-Infused Calming Mask
Sensitivity is a common concern that affects an estimated 38% of people.I It’s caused by a disruption of the skin’s natural moisture barrier and can be triggered or worsened by any number of factors, like cosmetics or air pollution. The exact symptoms vary from person to person, but frequent redness and irritation are among the most common characteristics of sensitive skin.
Long-term management of sensitive skin requires restoring its natural moisture barrier and avoiding irritants. In the short term, however, Calendula Petal-Infused Calming Mask may provide some relief. This gel face mask with calendula extract and aloe vera helps refresh and revitalize sensitive skin. The soothing formula instantly cools the skin and helps reduce visible signs of distress, while continued use helps revitalize the skin for a hydrated, healthy appearance. We recommend using it between one and three times weekly as part of your regular sensitive skin routine.
For Dull Skin:
Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Mask
If you notice your skin looking a bit duller than usual, you probably need to exfoliate. Exfoliating helps remove dead cells and other debris from your skin’s surface to reveal a fresher, more radiant appearance.
While any exfoliant will help improve the appearance of lackluster skin, we recommend reaching for an exfoliating mask, like Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Mask. This invigorating treatment mask with turmeric root extract and crushed cranberry seeds gives skin an instant facial to visibly brighten dull, fatigued skin. It also provides gentle exfoliation to help renew the skin. The power-packed mask is suitable for all skin types and can be used up to three times per week to reveal a smoother, visibly more radiant appearance.
For Mature Skin:
Ginger Leaf & Hibiscus Firming Mask
If you’re looking for a face mask to add to your anti-aging skincare routine, try Ginger Leaf & Hibiscus Firming Mask. Suitable for all skin types, this velvety overnight mask stars hibiscus seed extract and sustainably-sourced ginger leaf, along with peony root extract, glycerin, and shea butter. The indulgent formula melts onto the skin and helps to address the visible signs of aging, such as unevenness and dullness, while you sleep. With consistent use, it helps visibly diminish fine lines and wrinkles, leaving the skin looking smoother and firmer.
You can use this anti-aging mask up to five times weekly as a regular part of your nighttime skincare routine—just be sure to wash the mask off thoroughly in the morning before starting your daytime face care routine.
For Lines and Wrinkles:
Line-Minimizing Targeted Triangle Patch Masks
All of the masks mentioned above are classic facial masks: The kind that comes in a jar and is applied by spreading the creamy formula onto your face. But if you’re in search of an ultra-targeted treatment for stubborn fine lines and wrinkles, we recommend reaching for Line-Minimizing Targeted Triangle Patch Masks. These versatile mini-masks boast a thin gel hydrolayer made with hexapeptide and fragmented hyaluronic acid. They’re designed to help smooth and plump the skin and are clinically-demonstrated to instantly improve a wide range of facial lines, including forehead wrinkles and crow’s feet.*
As an added bonus, these mess-free masks are super easy to apply. Just wash and dry your face and apply the miniature masks to your areas of concern. Leave the patches on for a half-hour, then remove them and pat any remaining serum into your skin. Complete your routine with moisturizer and sunscreen to reveal a smoother, more youthful appearance over time.
*Based on expert grading in an eight-week clinical study with three times per week usage (24 applications).
Next: Now that you’re familiar with our best face masks, learn how to apply them in our article The Right Way To Use a Face Mask.
Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Mask
Calendula Petal-Infused Calming Mask
