The best face masks are a treat for your skin and your soul. While many of us see masks as an added extra rather than a core element of our beauty regimen, they do serve a specific purpose compared to daily serums and moisturizers.
Masks are the part of your skincare routine that can elevate your complexion from ticking along nicely to excelling. "Masks are miracle workers as they sit on the surface of the skin, and flood product into the epidermis without interruption or irritation," explains Dr Yannis Alexandrides MD FACS, Founder and Surgical Director of 111 Harley St. "They are an effective way to deliver an intensive burst of ingredients in one highly concentrated form."
Skincare ingredients aside, masking brings something else to the table that's just as important – self-care. And that goes whether you treat yourself to a state of the art luxury formula or whip up DIY face masks for pennies. "Masks are great for mood-boosting,” says Dr AJ Sturnham, dermatology specialist and founder of Decree. “They can put you in a calm and relaxed state while wearing them and they work well after a late night, before a big date or special event, and on those days where your skin feels off par.”
How we tested the best face masks for this guide
Why you can trust Woman & Home Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
A selection of face masks included in this guide.
Every face mask in this guide has been thoroughly tested by our beauty team, and many are personal favorites that we have used for years. To make the cut, each mask had to offer a pleasant user experience and, of course, noticeable results. We also researched ingredients, assessed packaging for its stability 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. These are her go-to's:
- Dry skin: "If you have dry skin look for hyaluronic acid, ceramides, Vitamin E, and amino acids."
- Oily skin: "If you have oily skin then ingredients such as salicylic acid, lactic acid, clay, and zinc all work well."
- Sensitive skin: "You’re going to need hyaluronic acid, glycerin, niacinamide, and Vitamin E.”
The best face masks, as chosen by our beauty team
Best face masks for dry/dehydrated skin
RRP: £58 Key ingredients: Padina pavonica (a brown algae), argan tree oil, shea butter
If you’re already a fan of the Elemis Pro-Collagen range (who isn’t?) then you will love this intensive mask. It has all the same wrinkle plumping capability as the moisturising cream, but in this slightly richer, mask consistency it has been teamed with extra hydrating ingredients to give dehydrated skin that much-needed moisture hit.
We 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. When testing, we noticed that it also smells like a spa and has a beautifully spreadable texture, as with all Elemis products. Though pricey, you will get a truly pampering experience that also delivers on results.
Buy if: A luxurious and decadent mask is at the top of your wish list and if you're looking for a mask with potent botanical ingredients
Avoid if: You want a more affordable face mask
RRP: £22 Key Ingredients: Colloidal gold, peptides, amino acids, rose
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-energize 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 Rosa Damascena and brightening licorice.
Science aside, one of the best things about this face mask is using it. When testing, we found that it feels cooling and quenching, then when you take it off skin has a dewy quality that helps makeup sit nicely on dry patches. We love how the slippery material hugs the skin like no papery sheet mask could ever hope to. This is useful in terms of motivating 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.
Buy if: You're looking for a mask that offers an instant glow, hydration and long-term benefits
Avoid if: You don't use single use masks
RRP: £49 Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, moringa seed oil, red algae
This creamy and indulgent mask is everything a great skincare product should be. It has a wonderful scent, a gloriously silky, smooth texture, and it made our skin look plump and like it had been doused in hydration.
The inclusion of facialist Emma Hardie's signature ingredient, moringa seed oil, deeply nourishes long-term, while in the short term hyaluronic acid plumps and smoothes. Apply all over the face and either leave for as long as you like, or you can even apply it as part of your skincare night routine and sleep in it.
Buy if: You want gorgeous texture, a rich and nourishing mask with a gorgeous scent
Avoid if: If you don't like using oils
RRP: £60 Key ingredients: Humectants, emollients and occlusives (H, E and O) for maximum hydration, Ceramides
If the ritual of using one of the best face masks is the best part of your self care routine, then you will love this two step mask. The Medik8 HEO Mask, is a rejuvenating powerhouse that's become our go to when our skin needs some extra TLC. If you suffer from particularly bad periods of dehydrated skin, then you will want to know about this expertly created formula.
This face mask offers clinically proven hydration, improves the skin barrier and the appearance of fine lines. This works hard while you sleep and relax. Its rich formula combines hyaluronic acid and glycerin to deeply hydrate and plump the skin, leaving it supple and radiant come the morning. There’s two steps to this mask, apply step one and leave for a few minutes before applying step two on top and keep both on overnight. When we tested it, we noticed our skins was less irritated, smoother and seriously hydrated.
Buy if: You have chronically dry skin and want a professional grade treatment you can leave on overnight
Avoid if: You don’t have dry skin
RRP: £6 Key Ingredients: Two types of hyaluronic acid
Hydration hero hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1000 times its own weight in water and this sheet mask is packed with the good stuff. It blends two sizes of molecules - the larger ones sit on the outer layers of skin, plumping and smoothing while the smaller ones penetrate further to tackle deeper lines and wrinkles like crow's feet.
On testing, we found this a treat to use. Our skin felt instantly softer and we also liked that the mask is biodegradable. This would be perfect if you’re trying to make more budget and eco-conscious beauty choices with your skincare for dry skin. The downside is that it can only be used once, so keep this in mind if you're after a budget pick that you can buy once and reach for again and again.
Buy if: You want a mess free mask, that's biodegradable and great value
Avoid if: You are looking for something that does more than hydrate the skin
RRP: £33 Key Ingredients: Leaf of life, hyaluronic acid
Thanks to their spa heritage, Clarins know how to formulate a great face mask, and this is no exception. As well as including all-important hydrator hyaluronic acid (HA) it's also packed with natural botanical extracts such as the leaf of life, designed to soothe and plump the skin.
Whilst it is a great choice for dehydrated skin types, we feel that this would also be one of the best face masks to use as skincare for oily skin. This is thanks to its light cream-gel texture, which we loved during testing. Plus it uses HA, a clever humectant that pulls water into the skin without creating a claggy, cloggy layer that will feel heavy on the skin. If you worry that some of the other masks in this guide may be slightly too thick and heavy for you, this offers a brilliant alternative that will still provide lasting hydration.
Buy if: You want a mask with gorgeous cream-gel texture that feels cool on the skin and works on combination skin too
Avoid if: You prefer a richer consistency
Best face masks for oily/combination skin
RRP: £75 Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, salicylic acid, lactic acid, glycerin
This mask was designed by doctor-owned brand Murad to replicate professional microdermabrasion (intense exfoliation, to you or I) 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. When testing we found that the combination of exfoliants, while intense, left our combo-skin smooth, decongested, and glowing. It's a cinch to use in the morning; we applied pre-shower, left it on while we washed our hair et al, and it was ready to rinse by the time we finished. There is something addictive about how satisfying this feels, and the results it offers. Although it's a pricy product, you only need the tiniest little teaspoonful each time, so one tube will last a while.
Buy if: You're looking for an exfoliating mask that works fast and boosts texture and tone
Avoid if: You have sensitive skin
RRP: £60 Key ingredients: French green clay, salicylic acid
If your skin is being problematic, or has become too congested, then the Soho Skin detox clay face mask is your best option. It clears pores, minimises their appearance and gently exfoliates the skin, without drying 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.
We were really impressed with 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, formulated without silicones, parabens, or BHAs.
Buy if: You love using a clay mask and want a supercharged one that works harder than your average
Avoid if: You have clear or dry skin, there will be a better suited mask on this list for you
RRP: £14 Key ingredients: Dead Sea Mud, Kaolin clay, Shea Butter
If oily, acne prone skin has become the bane of your life, sometimes only one of the best face masks will do. If you’re having a bad breakout, or have hormonal acne, this is the best face mask for you. It exfoliates, smoothes and clears skin. How? Well when testing, it seemed as though we could feel the dead sea mud clear out our pores, and we definitely saw that after a few uses.
We were impressed at how well this worked, considering its affordable price tag. We loved that although this mask was all about purifying, thanks to the shea butter our skin still felt hydrated long after we washed it off.
Buy if: You have acne-prone or congested skin and you’re looking for something to clarity and detox
Avoid if: Dry skin is your concern and your pores are already clear
RRP: £28.90 Key ingredients: Vitamin C, Arctic Cloudberry, Arctic spring water.
The Lumene Fresh Glow Brightening Gel Mask contains all of the brands signature Nordic ingredients which are a real treat to the skin. Including arctic cloudberry vinegar, which works similar to an AHA to remove dead skin cells and illuminate skin. Because all the ingredients are natural and 100% vegan, this is a gentle exfoliation, so if you’re dubious about using harsh exfoliabnts, this is a great option for you.
Infused with antioxidants, the mask keeps skin protected and works to counteract against any damage done by UV rays. It’s suggested that this mask is incorporated into your routine twice a week, but when testing we found that once a week was enough, and our skin was instantly hydrated and brighter over time.
Buy if: You want a mask to brighten and gently exfoliate skin
Avoid if: You’re looking for a mask that focuses on hydration.
RRP: £27 Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, green tea, zinc
Hormones can play havoc with our skin, and no more so than around that time of the month when even the clearest of complexions can suddenly become oilier and more breakout prone. Step in this clever mask that contains everything your skin needs - Zinc to target breakouts, white willow to minimize pore size, and lavender to help balance oil.
When testing, we 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 would make this one of the best face masks for gifting. The brand says this mask, "Can’t stop cramps but it can help keep skin clean and clear", and after testing it we agree! The perfect addition to any self care session around your period, it will work wonders on angry breakouts, and won't be quite as heavy duty as exfoliating masks.
Buy if: You're looking for a great mask to gift, with rebalancing ingredients
Avoid if: If hormonal skin isn't an issue for you
RRP: £70 Key Ingredients: Vitamin C and mild fruit AHAs
Tatcha skincare does come with a slightly steep price tag, but after testing several of the brand's complexion products, we can safely say that they are worth the investment - and this mask is no exception. With a thick, creamy texture, it feels similar to a clay mask but without the dryness. If you want a 'traditional' feeling face mask that is thick and can be left on for a while, this is your guy.
Designed to give a soft, dewy glow, this is a mask that will give you a your-skin-but-better look. When testing, we loved the thicker texture that stayed soft even as it dried, keeping our skin hydrated. After 20 minutes, our skin did look fresher and more radiant, as well as softer thanks to the skin smoothing properties of the AHAs. This mask won't give you a total complexion overhaul, but it will give you a natural lit-from-within look. The best part is that it will work for any skin type - even sensitive - but we especially loved it for smoothing our combination skin without leaving any oiliness. If you want a more gentle alternative to the Decleor mask, this is the one to go for.
Buy if: A creamy, hydrating and gentle formula that works to smooth and brighten is what you're searching for in a face mask
Avoid if: You're looking for something more affordable
Best face masks for sensitive skin
RRP: £40 Key ingredients: Arnica Extract, White Mushroom Extract
The REN Evercalm range is a god send for damaged or irritated skin. All of our testers raved about the Evercalm™ Ultra Comforting Rescue Mask. If you’ve damaged your skin barrier or going through a period of irritation, then you will love this. It minimises redness, hydrates and soothes irritation all while keeping the skins microbiome happy.
The brand claims that this mask is clinically proven to calm irritation and itchiness in only 30 minutes, and when we tried it, it delivered. We were surprised to find that it didn’t feel thick or heavy on the skin and was deeply nourishing without clogging our skin. If you’ve seriously damaged your skin, the Arnica Extract in this should help to calm and protect it.
Buy if: You have irritated, itchy skin and want relief
Avoid if: You have super dry skin, you may want to choose a different product on this skin as this is specifically formulated for irritated skin.
RRP: £20 Key Ingredients: Coconut, oat, chamomile and sea buckthorn
If you're after a mask you can use regularly and will last you a while, this is the one for you. In a huge 300ml pot, this face mask is extremely well priced considering how many treatments you will get out of it, and it's gentle enough to use as regularly as you like. The gel texture is extremely soothing and easy to spread, so you don't need much to cover your face.
When testing, we loved how relaxing this mask felt. It has a fresh, light scent that reminded us of being in a spa, and it worked wonders to calm our red skin after a hot shower. It hydrates, soothes and reduces redness, so it is one to go for if you have sensitive skin that is easily irritated and needs a little TLC. If you like the sound of the Simple sheet mask but want a pot you can use multiple times, this is a great option.
Buy if: You have dehydrated and sensitive skin and want a deeply soothing mask
Avoid if: You want to treat breakouts
RRP: £86 Key ingredients: Black tea complex, hyaluronic acid
We love the entire Black Tea range from Fresh, but this mask is one of their stand out products. If you’re in the mood for some self-care, this is the rich, luxurious face mask you need. It’s called the Instant Perfecting Mask, and while we don’t want to brag, after testing, our skin looked pretty close to perfect.
Thanks to the heaps of hyaluronic acid in the formula, our skin felt silky smooth and hydrated after just one use. Of course, it has the brands unique black tea complex, which we can’t get enough of. It’s designed to increase elasticity in the skin, while simultaneously protecting skin from pollution and other environmental aggressors, so we loved this, and the cooling sensation, at the end of a long day.
Buy if: You’re looking for a face mask that will revitalise skin after ten minutes
Avoid if: You’re want a mask with exfoliating actives
How to choose the best face mask for you
Choosing the perfect face mask for your needs could be the key to transforming your complexion, so it is worth taking the time to find the best one for you. Although there are countless face masks on the market, it is actually fairly easy to navigate if you work against the following criteria:
- Assess your skin type
- Consider your budget
- Establish what results you want to achieve
Once you know your skin type, you can keep an eye out for the skincare combinations that work best for it. Most face masks will state what skin type they cater to, so it is pretty easy to filter out ones that won't work.
When shopping online, you can filter by price to ensure that you are working within your budget. There are brilliant face masks available at both ends of the price spectrum, so whatever you have to spend, you will find one that you love.
The final (and perhaps the most important) step is establishing what results you hope to see from your face mask. If you have dry skin but want a more radiant complexion, you will want to seek out masks that are hydrating but also contain Vitamin C. If you have very oily skin but could do with some exfoliating, you will want to look for formulas with AHAs or BHAs. Face masks also tend to state the results they give on the packaging, so this is another easy thing to establish.
With all of these factors in mind, combined with expert insights from our beauty team, it is simple to find a face mask that will work for your skin and deliver stellar results.
