Face masks typically aren’t a daily skincare step but more so a once-in-a-while indulgence like an at-home spa treatment. Whether you reach for one weekly, every couple of days, or sporadically, there’s no denying the benefits of this add-on.
There are so many different kinds of masks—clay, cream, sheet—and each one accomplishes something different. Containing high concentrations of skin-loving ingredients, they can deliver big payoffs (think: a rush of hydration, a plumper complexion, breakout prevention, and less visible pores.) Plus, while all skincare counts as self-care, face masks have that TLC appeal.
We selected several best-sellers to put to the test in our everyday lives for a couple of weeks. We evaluated each product based on type, application, ingredients, efficacy, benefits, feel, appearance, and skin type compatibility, then we narrowed it down to the best face masks out there today.
1.Rosen Skincare Smooth Jelly Mask
What We Like
· Hygienic pump dispenser
· Calms redness and illuminates skin after one use
· Noticeable reduction in dark spots
· Accessible and affordable
What to Consider
· Nothing
Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, licorice root, cucumber extract | Benefits: Exfoliates, fades dark spots | Size: 2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
The simple act of applying a face mask and relaxing with it on can be a powerful form of self-care—even better when it produces a noticeable improvement in the look and feel of your skin. That’s exactly what this mask did when we tried it out. The lightweight, jelly texture was easy to spread across our skin and comfortable as it dried. After just one use, it significantly calmed redness and illuminated our complexions. After using it consistently once a week for a couple of weeks, we saw visibly reduced hyperpigmentation, smoother skin texture, and an all-around skin glow. Considering that this mask delivers on all of its claims, not to mention the accessible price point, we recommend it to anyone in the market for a weekly skincare treatment.
2.Sisley Paris Black Rose Cream Mask
What We Like
Mess-free and easy to apply
Addresses dry patches
Noticeable improvement in hydration
Visibly plumps skin
What to Consider
May be too heavy for oily skin
Key Ingredients: Black rose, vitamin E, shea butter | Benefits: Smooths, illuminates, hydrates | Size: 2 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
This ultra-creamy formula is pillowy-soft and easy to apply. After trying it out, we can tell you it works wonders for combination skin, addressing both dryness and an oily T-zone. With consistent use, you can count on a reduction in dry patches and a more hydrated, plump complexion. That said, since it’s somewhat heavy, it may not be ideal for those with oily skin. While it’s quite expensive, a little bit goes a long way, and since it’s not a wash-off product, we think it’s a fair value.
3.Then I Met You Rosé Resurfacing Facial Mask
What We Like
Delivers radiance with AHA and BHA Rose Complex
Leaves skin noticeably softer
Gel texture feels refreshing
What to Consider
Doesn’t make a noticeable difference in skin texture
Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, resveratrol | Benefits: Illuminating, exfoliating, calming | Size: 1.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
We loved the gel texture and slightly cooling feel of this refreshing mask. It’s easy to apply and mess-free, so you can walk around your home and get other things done before rinsing it off. We also liked that it didn’t dry down to a tight or uncomfortable finish. It has a blend of AHAs and BHAs (in the form of glycolic and lactic acid), which can help with skin cell turnover and shrink the look of pores. Immediately after using this mask, our skin was softer, more hydrated, and radiant. It didn’t do much in terms of improving texture. But after consistent weekly use throughout our testing period, our complexions looked more lively and glowy.
4.Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask
What We Like
Provides manual and chemical exfoliation
Easy to apply and comfortable to wear
Visibly improves skin texture for more radiant skin
What to Consider
Can be a bit intense upon first application
Takes a bit of effort to remove
Key Ingredients: Pumpkin enzymes, AHA, aluminum oxide crystals | Benefits: Exfoliating | Size: 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
This popular mask provides dual exfoliation (chemical and physical), thanks to pumpkin enzymes and AHAs for chemical exfoliation, as well as aluminum oxide crystals to physically polish away dead skin cells. The thick, gel-like texture has a fine grit, which makes application easy and ensures the physical exfoliation isn’t overly harsh. It also has a delicious pumpkin scent that isn’t too overpowering. Admittedly, the mask felt pretty intense at first: It caused a slight burning sensation, but it quickly subsided, and we didn’t experience the same discomfort after the first use. It’s definitely a powerful formula, so it can take some time to build up a tolerance. After keeping it on for about five minutes and washing it off, our skin felt softer and had a healthy-looking glow.
5.Peach Slices Snail Rescue Intensive Wash-Off Jelly Mask
What We Like
Leaves skin feeling hydrated and looking plumped
Lightweight, cooling texture
Gel consistency is easy to apply and remove
What to Consider
Doesn’t produce noticeable long-lasting results
Key Ingredients: Snail mucin, hyaluronic acid, centella asiatica, licorice root | Benefits: Hydrates, illuminates, targets dark spots | Size: 3.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Whether you’re coming from a sweaty gym session or a long day at work, applying a refreshing face mask and putting your feet up might be the pick-me-up you need. We adore this one because of its lightweight gel consistency and cooling feel that instantly calms. It’s formulated with 95% snail mucin, which might sound gross, but it’s a natural source of hyaluronic acid and glycerin that plumps the skin and delivers ample moisture.1 It’s also a pretty affordable product considering how much you get and that a little goes a long way. This mask helped hydrate our skin, leaving us with glowy, toned complexions. The overall user experience was enjoyable, though we didn’t see a noticeable difference in texture, pore size, or dark spots.
6.Kiehl’s Calendula Petal-Infused Calming Mask
What We Like
Helps calm redness and stressed skin with calendula and aloe vera
Lightweight, cream-gel texture
Leaves skin extra hydrated
Easy to apply and remove
What to Consider
Doesn’t produce long-lasting results
Key Ingredients: Calendula extract, aloe vera | Benefits: Soothes, hydrates | Size: 3.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Soothing masks like this one are great when your skin looks or feels irritated—think redness, flaking, or itching. This mask from Kiehl’s contains calendula extract, which has healing properties,2 as well as aloe vera to calm inflammation.3 It has a creamy gel texture that feels incredibly soft as you apply it. Once it’s on, the formula produces a slightly cooling sensation that feels amazing on stressed skin.
We found it comfortable to wear and thought our skin looked healthier and more hydrated after just one use. With continued use, it delivered a smoother, plumper complexion. Although we didn’t notice a lasting difference in the hydration levels of our skin, this mask is an excellent option for when you need a quick moisture boost.
7.Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Exfoliating Treatment
What We Like
Unclogs and minimizes appearance of pores
Provides physical and chemical exfoliation
Leaves skin looking glowy
What to Consider
Initial feeling on skin can be a bit harsh
Key Ingredients: Papaya enzymes, lactic acid, salicylic acid | Benefits: Exfoliates, helps clear pores | Size: 0.5–5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Chances are, you’ve heard of this treatment mask—or at least seen it on social media. It’s been a longtime player in the exfoliation category, and considering how effective it is, we get the hype. The formula boasts a blend of fruit enzymes, lactic acid, and salicylic acid to provide chemical exfoliation, along with silica to physically buff away dead skin cells.
We experienced some stinging with the first application. (The brand warns users that it’ll cause some tingling and potentially redness initially, but the intense feeling can be alarming.) However, these sensations didn’t last long, and the formula worked wonders at removing dead skin cell buildup and visibly improving the appearance of pores. After using it, our skin looked more even and super glowy.
8.Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial AHA + BHA Mask
What We Like
Chemical exfoliation addresses multiple concerns
Noticeable results
Hygienic air-tight container
What to Consider
May be too intense for sensitive skin
Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid | Benefits: Exfoliates, improves texture, unclogs pores | Size: 0.5–1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you’re dealing with uneven texture, dullness, blackheads, dullness, discoloration, or dark spots, this resurfacing mask helps improve uneven texture and gives dull complexions a glowy boost while unclogging pores and elevating elasticity. A blend of AHAs and BHAs dissolves dead cells on the outermost layer of your skin to reveal smoother skin underneath.4 We also appreciate the airtight container, as many masks require you to dip your fingers into a lidded tub. Just be mindful of the fact that it can be too strong for sensitive skin types, so perform a patch test. before slathering it all over your skin.
9.Hanacure The All-In-One Facial
What We Like
Fun to use
Tightens and improves elasticity
Dermatologist-recommended
What to Consider
Single-use kit
Key Ingredients: Beta-glucan, peptides, botanicals, antioxidants | Benefits: Smooths, illuminates, tightens | Size: 1 use | Cruelty-Free: Yes
The Hanacure All-In-One Mask is a fun peel to use and will leave the skin feeling tighter, thanks to effective peptides and antioxidants.” Part of the joy is that, as it dries, it crinkles onto your skin and makes you look temporarily—for lack of better term—worse. Then you peel it off to reveal a smoother, plumper-looking complexion.
10.Perricone MD Cold Plasma Treatment Sheet Mask
What We Like
Easy to apply and stays in place
Addresses multiple skin concerns including fine lines
Leaves skin smoother and more radiant
What to Consider
Leaves skin feeling slightly tacky
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, copper peptide, phospholipids | Benefits: Improves texture, addresses dullness | Size: 1 or 6 masks | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Sheet masks are great single-use skincare treatments, but can be frustrating to use since they’re typically one-size-fits…hardly anyone. While many slip and slide around your face, this one has two pieces, which makes application super easy—and, unlike many other sheet masks, it stays put until you’re ready to take it off. After letting it baste for about 20 minutes, you can count on ultra-hydrated and plump skin that looks smoother, tighter, and more radiant. It can, however, leave skin feeling a little sticky right after you take it off.
11.Farmacy 10% Niacinamide Night Mask
What We Like
Pillowy soft, gel-cream consistency
Deeply hydrating
A little bit goes a long way
Niacinamide helps smooth the appearance of pores and fine lines
What to Consider
Leaves a minor tacky feeling on the skin
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, panthenol, beta-glucan, shea butter | Benefits: Smooths, hydrates, illuminates | Size: 0.85–5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This face mask has a seriously unique texture—it’s incredibly soft and gel-like yet somehow still creamy. It spreads like butter, so a tiny bit goes a long way. The formula contains niacinamide (vitamin B3) to help even out skin texture, soak up oil, and reduce the appearance of pores. It worked remarkably well to deeply hydrate our parched skin and prevent dry patches. We noticed a plumping effect, which helped smooth the appearance of fine lines. Not only that, but this mask blurred the look of enlarged pores and left us with a more radiant complexion. It had a slightly tacky feel, but it wasn’t uncomfortable at all and didn’t stick to our pillowcases or sheets.
