The 9 best face masks to boost your skin – tested and reviewed for different concerns
From brightening boosts to reparative skin-soothers, our beauty testers reviews the best face masks for various skin concerns and budgets
Sometimes our skin needs more than what our daily routine provides, which is where the best face masks come in. While serums are a great treatment step day-to-day, these more indulgent overnight formulas or cooling masks act as an intense targeted step that makes all the difference to a struggling complexion. A weekly mask is a great way to boost the results of your routine – and shouldn't be overlooked.
While the best face moisturisers and serums help to hydrate and protect our skin barrier day-to-day, a mask is both a nice treat and a brilliant way to deliver potent and hard-working ingredients to your skin. As Dr Yannis Alexandrides MD FACS, founder and surgical director of 111 Harley St, explains, "Masks are miracle workers as they sit on the surface of the skin, and flood product into the epidermis without interruption or irritation. They are an effective way to deliver an intensive burst of ingredients in one highly concentrated form."
Whether you're keen to invest in a thick, irritation-soothing overnight mask or a pore-clearing treatment, over the years we've tested a wide array to bring you the crème de la crème of best face masks. After much analysing and assessing, here are our beauty team's reviews of the top-performing buys.
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The 9 best face masks for all skin types, reviewed by our beauty team
As mentioned, the best face masks are not only a great way to target concerns like dryness and irritation, but also to pamper yourself. "Masks are great for mood-boosting," says Dr AJ Sturnham, dermatology specialist and founder of Decree, adding that: "they can put you in a calm and relaxed state while wearing them."
Thus, to help you find your perfect match, woman&home's beauty team has joined forces to share their top face mask picks, with options that are suitable for those with dry, oily, and sensitive skin types - and from best-selling brands like Elemis, Murad, and Fresh.
Best face masks for dry/dehydrated skin
RRP: £62 | Key ingredients: Padina pavonica (a brown algae), argan tree oil, shea butter
Reviewed by: Sarah-Jane Corfield-Smith and Naomi Jamieson
If you’re already a fan of the ELEMIS Pro-Collagen range (and really, who isn’t?) then you'll love this intensive mask. It has all the same wrinkle-plumping capabilities as the iconic moisturiser, but in this slightly richer mask, these are teamed with extra hydrating ingredients to give dehydrated skin that much-needed moisture hit.
I love that, as well as instantly plumping and comforting, the brown algae included works to replenish depleted skin long-term by encouraging cell turnover and collagen synthesis. While testing I also noticed that it smells like a spa, with a beautifully spreadable texture – as with all ELEMIS products. Though pricey, you will get a true pampering experience that also delivers results.
Pros
- Luxurious and decadent
- Formulated with potent botanicals
Cons
- Expensive for the size
RRP: £54 | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, moringa seed oil, red algae
Reviewed by: Sarah-Jane Corfield-Smith
An iconic product from an iconic range, this creamy and indulgent mask is everything a great skincare product should be. It has a wonderful scent, a gloriously silky-smooth texture and made my skin look plump and like it had been doused in hydration – which is exactly what I want from a hydrating mask.
The inclusion of facialist Emma Hardie's signature ingredient, moringa seed oil, deeply nourishes the skin long-term, while in the short term, hyaluronic acid plumps and smooths. Apply this all over the face and leave for as long as you like. Alternatively, you can even apply it as part of your skincare night routine and sleep in it.
Pros
- Rich and nourishing
- Gorgeous texture
- Lovely scent
Cons
- Oil-based formula won't appeal to all
RRP: £58 | Key ingredients: Rosewater, hyaluronic acid, microalgae extract
Reviewed by: Sennen Prickett
This mask is one of Fresh's standout products. If you’re in the mood for some self-care, this is the rich, luxurious face mask you need. Equipped with refreshing rosewater, cooling cucumber extract and hydrating microalgae extract (alongside an abundance of hyaluronic acid), I can confirm this gel-like formula achieved all of the above sensations, leaving my skin feeling plump, soft and supple.
But it doesn't stop there, as this indulgent mask, housed in a luxe ceramic tub, also works to enhance luminosity, boasting a cocktail blend of teas which brightened and boosted radiance in my complexion. All in all, it acts as the perfect candidate for a self-care evening at the end of a long day.
Pros
- Revitalises skin and boosts luminosity
- Works quickly – in 10 minutes
Cons
- Expensive
Best face masks for oily and combination skin
RRP: £85 | Key ingredients: Hectorite clay, Hungarian moor mud
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
Hungarian skincare Omorovicza makes some of the most lovely, luxurious feeling and effective skincare products on the market – think style and substance. While quite wet on application, this antioxidant-rich, clay-based mask stretches really well to cover your skin evenly, before drying out and absorbing any excess oil stuck in your pores as it does.
Crucially, what it doesn't do – which clay masks are notorious for – is really dry out your skin, leaving it tight and uncomfortable once you remove it. After removing with a warm flannel, you're simply left with smoother and clearer-looking skin. If, like me, you have oily skin and experience blackheads and clogged pores regularly, this is an incredibly helpful and effective little jar to have on standby; I always rely on it when I need some skin decongestion. However, being a luxury brand, it is unfortunately very expensive – even if it lasts a long time.
Pros
- Helps to decongest pores
- Smooth skin
- Non-drying
Cons
- Very expensive
RRP: £60 Key ingredients: French green clay, salicylic acid
Reviewed by: Aleesha Badkar
If your skin is playing up or has become too congested, the Soho Skin detox clay face mask is a great option. It helps to clear pores, minimises their appearance and gently exfoliates the skin, without drying the skin out and keeping it balanced. This would work for all skin types, but it’s particularly great for congested skin because of the way the clay and salicylic power duo clears pores.
I was really impressed by the ingredients list; this is not your typical clay mask. It has added plankton extract, which works at minimising blemishes, while the added probiotic encourages cell renewal. Plus, it doesn’t contain any acne-exacerbating ingredients – another win.
Pros
- Feels luxurious
- Helps to balance skin
- Probiotic formula
Cons
- Suits congested, blemish-prone and oily skin best
RRP: £27 | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, green tea, zinc
Reviewed by: Sarah-Jane Corfield-Smith
Hormones can play havoc with our skin, no more so than around that time of the month, when even the clearest of complexions can suddenly become oilier and more breakout-prone. This clever mask contains everything your skin needs – zinc to target breakouts, white willow to minimise pore size and lavender to help balance oil.
When testing, I loved the calming, cooling feel of this mask, the funky packaging and cute hair clips included to keep strands out of the way – all of which makes this one of the best face masks to gift, too. The brand says this mask, "Can’t stop cramps but it can help keep skin clean and clear", and after testing it, I agree! The perfect addition to any self-care session around your period, it will work wonders on angry hormonal breakouts and won't be quite as intense as exfoliating masks.
Pros
- Ideal for hormonal skin
- Works to rebalance skin
- Hair clips included
Cons
- Only suits those whose skin struggles with hormonal issues
Best face masks for glowing skin
RRP: £88 | Key ingredients: Vitamin C, salicylic acid, lactic acid, glycerin
Reviewed by: Fiona McKim
This mask was designed by doctor-owned brand Murad to replicate professional microdermabrasion (AKA intense exfoliation) and in many ways, it succeeds. It combines a holy trinity of exfoliants – physical, enzymatic and chemical – plus, it's also got brightening vitamin C in its most potent form, ascorbic acid.
And how does it perform? As long as you're not sensitive to acids, brilliantly. I found that the combination of exfoliants, while intense, left my combo-skin smooth, decongested and glowing. It's a cinch to use in the morning; I applied pre-shower, left it on while I washed my hair, et al, and it was ready to rinse by the time I finished. There is something addictive about how satisfying this feels and the results it offers. Although it's a pricey product, you only need the tiniest little teaspoonful each time, so one tube will last you a while.
Pros
- Exfoliates and brightens
- Gets to work in a flash to refine texture and tone
Cons
- Won't suit sensitive skin
RRP: £60 for 3 | Key ingredients: Colloidal gold, peptides, amino acids, Damask rose
Reviewed by: Fiona McKim and Naomi Jamieson
Fiona: Bang for your buck treatments don't come much better than this biodegradable mask. The bio-cellulose material is flooded with beneficial ingredients, namely peptides to re-energise sluggish skin cells, hydrating sodium hyaluronate and colloidal gold (tiny particles that help other actives get where they need to be). You'll also get bags of potent botanical extracts, including soothing Damask rose and brightening liquorice.
Science aside, one of the best things about this face mask is using it. I found that it felt very cooling and quenching when first applied. Then, when I removed it, my skin had this dewy quality that really helped my makeup to sit nicely, even on dry patches. I also love the way the slippery material hugs the skin like no papery sheet mask could ever hope to. This is useful as it motivates you to get it out of the drawer and use it in the first place, which is half the battle with masks. You could sit happily wearing this for an hour of Netflix without checking the clock once.
Pros
- Rapidly imparts glow
- Hydrates the skin
- Luxurious formula with colloidal gold and peptides
Cons
- Single-use mask
RRP: £59 (£32 for members) | Key ingredients: Cherry blossom, glycerin and an omega-9 complex
Reviewed by: Naomi Jamieson
Beauty Pie's cherry blossom-infused Micro-Caviar Overnight Moisture Mask is a true treat for dry skin. It boasts an indulgent and ultra-nourishing blend of glycerin, shea butter, saffron extract and, of course, cherry blossom, along with "100,000 omega-9 bubbles" (which give this mask its "caviar" appearance), to deliver intense hydration to your skin.
As someone with dry and often tight-feeling skin, frankly I couldn't wait to slather my face in this formula. Firstly, despite normally steering clear of fragranced products, I found that this delicately floral formula didn't upset my sensitive and temperamental skin at all. In fact, I found the scent very comforting, while the mask itself left my complexion feeling quenched and looking noticeably more radiant when I woke up. Its serum-gel-like consistency feels so cooling – and I just love the way the teeny tiny bubbles melt into my skin.
Pros
- Very hydrating and nourishing
- Cooling gel texture
Cons
- Designed for overnight use; not a quick treatment
How we tested the best face masks for this guide
Each face mask that made it into this guide was thoroughly tested by our beauty team, many of them personal favourites that we have used for years.
In order to refine a tight edit of the best formulas, during the testing (and re-testing) process, each mask had to offer a pleasant user experience and, of course, noticeable results. We also researched the formula and ingredients, assessed the packaging for its stability and overall user experience, and ensured each formula was tested on the skin type it was designed for.
"It’s always good to look out for key ingredients that work with your skin type," agrees Dr Sturnham. Speaking of which, these are the go-to ingredients she notes you should be on the lookout for...
- Dry: "If you have dry skin, look for hyaluronic acid, ceramides, vitamin E and amino acids."
- Oily: "If you have oily skin, then ingredients such as salicylic acid, lactic acid, clay and zinc all work well."
- Sensitive: "You’re going to need hyaluronic acid, glycerin, niacinamide and vitamin E.” Allantoin, colloidal oat and cica are also good skin-soothing options.
How to choose the best face mask for you
The right face mask can be transformative, so it's worth taking time to research and find an ideal fit. While there are near-countless face masks on the market, it's fairly easy to navigate them if you work with the following criteria.
- Skin type: Go in to your face mask-finding quest with knowledge of your skin – is it dry? Oily? Combination? Sensitive? The product's key details online or on the packaging will steer you towards the best formulas for your complexion.
- Results: Think about your end goal: do you want to improve dullness? Deliver a generous dose of hydration? Decongest pores? Help smooth fine lines? Again, look at the product's USP in line with your desired results.
- Budget: It's nice to have a treat from time to time, but if this is a product you want to use long term, it's smart to ensure you'll can afford to re-purchase it.
With your skin type in mind, you can look out for the skincare combinations best suited to you. Most face masks note which skin type they're designed for on the packaging, so it's easy to filter out ones that won't work. Online, you can also filter by price to ensure you stick to your budget; there are brilliant face masks available across the price spectrum, but if you want something you'll be able to use regularly in your routine from here on out, it'll need to be something you can afford to replace.
The final – and perhaps most important – step is establishing your desired results. If you have dry skin but want to boost radiance, you should seek out masks that are hydrating and antioxidant rich, usually with vitamin C. If you have very oily and congested skin, formulas equipped with AHAs or BHAs will work to exfoliate and break down pore-clogging debris. Again, these benefits are usually called out on pack.
Our expert panel
Sarah-Jane Corfield-Smith is an experienced journalist who has worked in the beauty industry for more than 15 years and, along with woman&home, has contributed to titles such as Stylist, The Daily Mail and The Times. Having tested dozens – if not hundreds – of face masks over the years, she was the main tester and reviewer for this guide.
Naomi is Digital Beauty Writer at woman&home, where she covers everything from skincare to makeup but specialises in fragrance and nail trends – sharing her expertise on the latest beauty buys and must-have manicure styles. As well as showcasing her beauty knowledge, she reviews products and shares personal shopping recommendations.
Sennen is Digital Beauty Writer at woman&home, where she shares the latest beauty launches, trending buys and personal product recommendations, from makeup and hair to skincare and nails.
Fiona McKim has been part of the woman&home beauty team for more than a decade. During that time her work has included interviewing countless experts, reporting from backstage at Fashion Week and judging the woman&home Beauty Awards.
Dr Yannis Alexandrides is a multi-board-certified plastic surgeon and the Founder & Medical Director of 111 Harley Street. In this guide he shared some of his expertise in face masks and how they work.
Dr Anita Sturnham is a GP with dermatology training and the founder of skincare brand DECREE. In this guide she has explained the function and key ingredients that go into a good face mask.