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Any time I stray from my skin-care routine — whether I’m traveling or had an extra busy week — I turn to face masks for help. They provide a high dose of hydration if I’m dry or help calm breakouts. They’re not miracle workers, but they help get my skin back to normal and are low commitment.
That said, experts I spoke to explain that because masks can have higher concentrations of active ingredients, you should be sure to follow the instructions to a T and don’t overdo it to avoid irritation. Face masks are never one size fits all, though. That’s why I’ve talked to experts to find the best face masks, ranging from ultramoisturizing barrier-repair formulas to unclogging clay masks. And if you’re looking for even more skin-care-routine recommendations, we have roundups on the best anti-aging serums, dark-spot correctors, and toners.
Update on December 13, 2024: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.
What we’re looking for
Active ingredients
The active ingredients to look for depend on your skin concerns, so I’ve listed them to make shopping a little easier. If you’re combating dry or dehydrated skin, your best bet is a mask packed with moisturizing ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Those with acne-prone and oily skin should seek out salicylic-acid and clay-based masks. I’ve also included exfoliating masks packed with AHAs, BHAs, and vitamin C for issues like fine lines and hyperpigmentation.
Price
To further help you shop, I’ve noted the size and approximate price per ounce for each product below.
Best face mask overall
Active ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, bisabolol, shea butter, sea buckthorn | Price point: 2 ounces at $12 per ounce
When picking the best face mask for most people, I factored in all skin types and price. First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair mask fits the bill because it’s hydrating, soothing, and nonirritating, so it shouldn’t cause issues for folks with sensitive skin and it’s priced at about $20. Dermatologist Dr. Azadeh Shirazi says the colloidal oatmeal and bisabolol calm irritation and reduce inflammation, while the shea butter locks in moisture; it’s also packed with antioxidants to reduce signs of aging. I recently tried it out when my skin was left dehydrated after a week of overexfoliating. I had dry patches on my cheeks even after taking a break from actives and using only moisturizer. The mask has a creamy but not too thick consistency and little flecks of oatmeal in it. I left it on for ten minutes, and after I rinsed it off, my skin felt smooth and plump without looking greasy. Because it is pretty moisturizing, the only skin types I’d say it might not work with are clogged or oily skin, which we have more options for below.
Best hydrating face mask
Active ingredients: Black-tea complex (black-tea ferment, black-tea extract, blackberry-leaf extract, lychee-seed extract), peptides, hyaluronic acid | Price point: 3.3 ounces at $29 per ounce
Dry and dehydrated skin can benefit the most from face masks because they provide an intense moisture boost and lock in hydration, says dermatologist Dr. Lauren Penzi. Look out for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, peptides, and squalene. Dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp and cosmetic chemist Valerie George both like Fresh’s Black Tea Peptide Overnight Mask because it boosts moisture with hyaluronic acid and improves skin elasticity with its black-tea complex. It is on the pricier side, but you’re getting the benefits of hydrating and lifting with this. Plus, it works as an overnight mask, so you don’t have to worry about washing it off before bed.
Best less expensive hydrating face mask
Active ingredients: Probiotic-derived complex (lactobacillus ferment lysate and trehalose), squalane, niacinamide, saururus chinensis extract | Price point: 2.3 ounces at $14 per ounce
Laneige makes a deeply hydrating overnight mask for less than half the price as the Fresh mask above. Shirazi says the combination of squalane, niacinamide, and probiotic complex make it brightening and good for your skin barrier. Like the Fresh mask, this can be used as the last step in a nighttime skin-care routine to lock in moisture throughout the night.
Best face mask for acne
Active ingredients: Salicylic acid, tea-tree-leaf oil, larch arabinogalactan, sage extract, cucumber extract, oat-kernel extract, bisabolol | Price point: 1.7 ounces at $33 per ounce
The right face mask can calm an active breakout and keep it from spreading. Aesthetician Kristin Gunn says clay or charcoal masks are best for oily and acne-prone skin because they can absorb excess oil, kill bacteria, minimize pore size, and reduce inflammation. Her favorite is Revision’s Pore Purifying Clay Mask because it does all of the above. The salicylic acid and larch arabinogalactan gently exfoliate the skin while cleansing pores, and the tea-tree, sage, cucumber, and oat-kernel extracts soothe irritation.
Best less expensive face mask for acne
Active ingredients: Salicylic acid, kaolin clay, charcoal powder, 4-t-butylcyclohexanol | Price point: 1 ounce at $14 per ounce
The Ordinary, known for its simple yet effective formulas, has a clarifying mask for less than half the price of the Revision. According to Penzi, the salicylic acid, charcoal, and coal work together to remove buildup and dead skin cells, resulting in clearer skin. She adds that it’s an excellent spot treatment for both whiteheads and blackheads.
Best face mask for oily skin
Active ingredients: Kaolin clay, aloe vera, bentonite clay | Price point: 4.2 ounces at $11 per ounce
If excess oil and shine is your concern but you’re not dealing with acne, a simple clay mask (sans salicylic acid) can help absorb moisture and oil. Both Camp and dermatologist Dr. Miriam Hanson like Kiehl’s clay mask because it keeps excess oil at bay with kaolin and bentonite clays. Plus, the aloe vera helps add moisture and soothe skin so you shouldn’t feel too dry after using it.
Best face mask for fine lines
Active ingredients: Glycolic acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, citric acid, salicylic acid, chickpea flour | Price point: 1.69 ounces at $47 per ounce
Drunk Elephant’s Babyfacial mask combines AHAs like glycolic, lactic, and citric acids with salicylic acid (more on what AHAs and BHAs do here) to exfoliate dead skin cells and unclog pores. It’s also packed with antioxidants and soothing ingredients to boost collagen and improve skin texture. Penzi and Shirazi both say it helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time.
Best face mask for dark spots
Active ingredients: Vitamin C, arbutin, bearberry extract, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid | Price point: 1.7 ounces at $23 per ounce
Vitamin C was by far the No. 1 ingredient our experts mentioned for tackling dark spots. It’s a powerful antioxidant that protects skin from free radicals while brightening. This Paula’s Choice mask combines vitamin C with other brightening ingredients, arbutin and bearberry extract, to help even out skin tone. Shirazi says it’s effective for promoting cell turnover to fade hyperpigmentation, too.
Our experts
• Dr. Brendan Camp, board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology
• Valerie George, cosmetic chemist
• Kristin Gunn, celebrity esthetician and owner of Halcyon Skincare and Beaux MedSpa
• Dr. Miriam Hanson, dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, Texas
• Dr. Lauren Penzi, dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology
• Dr. Azadeh Shirazi, dermatologist and founder of AziMD Skincare
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
