If you’re cleansing and moisturising every day, but if your skin still feels like it needs a little extra oomph, or you’re just in need of a pampering session because it’s been “A DAY”, the best face masks will add a nourishing boost to your skincare routine.
There are hundreds on the market, all boasting different claims, from brightening and cleansing to hydrating and softening. So, see below for a glance at the masks that impressed on test but read on for the (g)low down on which to choose for your skin type, sensitivities and goals.
What mask is best suited to my skin type?
The mask most suited to you will depend on your overall skin type and any particular skin concerns you have at the time of application.
If you have a dry, lacklustre complexion in need of plumping and rehydration, then a hydrating face mask is the perfect option. Whereas if your skin is generally more blemished, or you’re simply going through a spotty stage, then a clarifying mask should help to clear and calm congested complexions.
What’s a hydrating face mask?
As the name suggests, a hydrating face mask works to restore moisture and replenish any dry, dehydrated patches. They often contain ultra-hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and glycerine, which all help the skin to draw in and retain moisture.
What’s a clarifying face mask?
While a hydrating face mask works to rejuvenate dry skin, a clarifying one is designed to absorb excess sebum, clear dead skin cells and unclog pores, leaving your complexion clearer and brighter. This is what makes them a great option for blemish-prone skin.
When do I apply a face mask?
For the best results, we recommend applying your face mask after cleansing and exfoliating to remove any impurities or dirt from pores and ensure your skin is able to absorb all that nourishing goodness.
It’s also a good idea to consider face mask type. Sheet masks are great for throwing on for a quick shot of hydration, whether in your bathroom or travelling (see our beauty editor’s in-flight skincare routine), although it’s important to note that they’re not the most sustainable choice.
Gel or cream face masks will need to be rinsed off after – they’re a great option for popping on while you’re watching your latest Netflix obsession.
As for how often you should apply your face mask, it really depends on your skin. Hydrating masks are great for applying weekly (or twice a week in drier conditions) to give your skin a treat. Those prone to breakouts may prefer to mask more regularly, up to three times a week.
How we test face masks
We put 26 market-leading face masks to the test over two weeks with the help of over 300 readers. They were a mix of clarifying and hydrating formulas, which we’ve separated out in our list below. For each, we asked our panellists to assess ease of use, design and how well each mask locked in hydration or cleared their skin.
For any clarifying claims, we applied oil to a test area of the skin, took a reading on our sebum meter, then applied the mask for the recommended time and washed it off. We then took a second reading on our sebum meter to measure the oil residue left behind, helping us determine how effective each mask was at clearing the skin.
We then pulled together all the scores to find our favourites in each category.
1.Elemis Pro-collagen Marine Mask
Score: 87/100
Our top-rated hydrating face mask from Elemis delivered ultra-hydrating, glowing skin for our panel. The formula is powered by a small brown algae called padina pavonica, which is used across the brand’s pro-collagen collection. Though it may not sound the most glamorous, it’s brimming with antioxidants that help to protect against external aggressors – such as pollution and sunlight – which contribute to premature ageing of the skin.
It also works alongside other hydrating ingredients such as adaptogenic noni, argan tree oil and moringa, which all help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and leave your skin looking more radiant.
It’s a great end-of-day option, especially when paired with Elemis’ Pro-collagen Cleansing Balm (which was named ‘best for hydrating’ in our cleansing balm test). Expect dewy, more supple skin.
2.Laneige Water Sleeping Mask
Score: 84/100
If this Korean beauty brand is known for one thing, it’s masks. Its lip masks are loved the world over, relied on to soothe chapped lips overnight, so we weren’t surprised to see its face mask perform well in our tests.
The overnight formula has been developed to help you wake up with refreshed, smooth and hydrated skin, and according to one of our testers, the results last all day. You don’t have to spend eight hours in bed before feeling the hydrating effects either, as many testers said their skin felt moisturised immediately after application.
Our liked that it comes with a spatula to help with dispensing the product, as well as being more hygienic, leading to less unwanted breakouts. This mask also scored top in the lab for hydration levels four hours after application.
3.Clarins Hydra-Essentiel [HA²] Mask
Score: 83/100
When it comes to hydrating skincare, hyaluronic acid is the not-so-secret ingredient that both delivers a dose of moisture and draws it into the skin – and this Hydra-Essential Mask from Clarins is full of it. It’s also enriched with ceramides, lipid molecules that protect the skin’s barrier from moisture loss. And it was effective, according to our panel. One tester told us it left their skin looking “refreshed and very moisturised.”
Apply a thick layer of this rich, luxurious-feeling mask onto your skin and leave it for a minimum of 10 minutes for a softer, plumper-looking complexion. This one scored well for being easy to remove too – just grab a hot cloth or cotton pad and reveal your newly-hydrated complexion.
4.Murad Cellular Hydration Barrier Repair Mask
Score: 82/100
Get some real beauty sleep in with this hydrating overnight face mask from Murad, which works as you snooze to repair dry and rough skin.
The non-greasy, non-sticky formula went down well with our testers, plus it absorbs quickly, so you can put your head straight on the pillow. You can expect to wake up with “healthier and more vibrant- looking skin,” In fact, most of the panel agreed that their skin felt hydrated throughout the next day – now there’s a product that’s used to working the night shift!
5.Dr Sam’s Flawless Revival Mask
Score: 79/100
Dr Sam Bunting recognised that niacinamide, squalene, glycerine, shea and hyaluronic acid are the fantastic five of hydrated and refreshed skin, so she’s handily bottled them all in this mask. These powerhouse ingredients work together to quench parched skin, and left one tester’s face feeling “hydrated, nourished and soft.”
But the key piece of feedback that shone through from our panel was how bright it left their skin looking – this is probably down to the 10% niacinamide included; a form of vitamin B3, it works to reduce the appearance of enlarged pores and rejuvenate dull skin.
6.Wildsmith Super Hydrating Overnight Mask
Score: 79/100
It’s hard to give sensitive skin some proper TLC without causing a flare-up, but skincare brand Wildsmith is tackling this challenge with its overnight mask, which contains an anti-redness complex made up of ginger, turmeric and probiotics.
It works to soothe irritation, increase hydration and protect against oxidative stress from environmental factors, such as pollution. And the proof was in the pudding with these claims, as all our testers agreed they didn’t experience any irritation after using it.
7.Murad Rapid Relief Sulfur Mask
Score: 86/100
When your skin is prone to breakouts, it’s hard to know which products to invest in that won’t cause a flare-up. But this clarifying face mask from Murad went down well with our panel for reducing existing blemishes and spots without causing any further irritation. All testers agreed it reduced the appearance of blackheads too, leaving them with “revitalised, clearer skin” after each use.
It’s effective at controlling oiliness without drying out the skin, thanks to Australian peat extract – a moss rich in hydrating humic acid. It also contains 5% sulphur, which works to reduce and prevent blemishes (don’t worry, its infamous smell is masked by a refreshing eucalyptus fragrance).
8.Omorovicza Ultramoor Mud Mask
Score: 86/100
This premium mud mask is more luxurious than you might expect. It uses ‘moor mud’, a mineral-rich and detoxifying ingredient, which works alongside hectorite clay to draw out impurities while retaining hydration. Marine plankton extract also helps to keep your complexion looking plump by stimulating collagen and elastin production, putting spring back into your skin and smoothing out the appearance of fine lines.
This one scored best in the lab for reducing oiliness, making it really effective for clarifying the skin. “It soothed and balanced my skin after just two uses,” said one panellist, while another added that it “cleared skin and reduced the appearance of pores.”
9.Avéne Cleanance Mask for Oily, Blemish-Prone Skin
Score: 82/100
This is another clay-infused clarifying mask that wowed our testers with its smooth texture. It’s a great choice for those with oily skin, as it mattifies it without leaving it feeling dry and tight, thanks to Avène’s not-so-secret ingredient, Thermal Spring Water, which helps to soothe and balance complexions.
It didn’t cause any additional redness or irritation for most testers either, with one thrilled panel member telling us it left their skin feeling “smooth and silky”.
10.Simple Detox & Brighten Clay Mask
Score: 81/100
Want to save on skincare? Then this affordable yet effective face mask from Simple is the one for you. As you’d expect, the brand keeps things pared back when it comes to ingredients – it includes skin-brightening antioxidants such as vitamin C and E, as well as natural clays for drawing out impurities. It’s free from any perfume, harsh chemicals or artificial colours, making it suitable for sensitive skin, too.
Our testers found it easy to apply and remove, without the need for any scrubbing. And when you do take it off, you can expect skin to “feel smoother and look brighter,” according to feedback – the perfect skin combination.
11.The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
Score: 83/100
Formulated with salicylic acid, this mask is an effective yet gentle exfoliator that removes dead cells from the skin’s surface, to leave it glowing. It was a hit with our testers – everyone agreed it was effective at decongesting pores and improving their overall skin tone. It comes in a compact tube, making it a good option for travelling too.
