The 12 best face masks to shop in 2024, tried and tested by our beauty experts

RRP: £60 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: £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: £58 Key ingredients: Rosewater, hyaluronic acid and microalgae extract

This mask is one of Fresh's stand out 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), we can confirm this gel-like formula achieved all of the above sensations, leaving our skin feeling plump, soft and supple.

But it doesn't stop there, the indulgent mask which arrives in a luxe ceramic tub also works to enhance luminosity, boasting a cocktail blend of teas which proved to brighten and boost radiance within our complexion. All in all, it acts as the perfect candidate for a self-care evening 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

RRP: £88 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: £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: £9 Key Ingredients: Two types of hyaluronic acid

Hydration hero hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1000 times its own weight in water, while being gentle enough for sensitive complexions, 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. It also ticks both boxes if you’re trying to make more budget and eco-conscious beauty choices. 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 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: £23 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: £30.50 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: £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