There are some great cleansers available but you cannot expect them to do everything to keep your skin looking flawless. If your skin is parched, looking rather corpse-like or irritated and angry a face mask can help balance your complexion. Whether you have super sensitive skin or are prone to breakouts there is a face mask that is specifically formulated to treat all of your skin concerns.
(Related: 12 Tried-And-True Face Cleansers That Won’t Irritate Your Sensitive Skin)
These are the 9 best tried-and-true face masks that will keep your skin looking its best:
1. Mint Julep Mask ($3,99, Queen Helene)
This wallet-friendly mask is a cult favorite. If you’re prone to breakouts, this clay mask helps dry up zits and get rid of blackheads. Plus, you get change back from a $5 bill. It’s no surprise commenter Jasmine C. selected it as her top product.
2. Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask ($25, Origins)
Active charcoal seems to be showing up in more and more skincare products lately. It does a great job of getting out all of the dirt and debris trapped in your pores, so it is easy to see why it has become a popular ingredient. Reader Candace Lee Womack rates this mask highly.
3. Extra-Mild Organic Diaper Cream ($12.79, Little Twig)
Diaper cream may not technically fall into the “mask” category but if it works as well as any other traditional mask, it deserves a spot on the list. Kayla B. recommended it:
“Diaper cream is effective, too! The active ingredient, zinc oxide, is like having a fairy godmother for your skin. I’ll usually apply it to the face and keep it there as long as a regular mask. It’s difficult to remove with water, but a damp washcloth or just wiping it off with a tissue will do the trick. I like to wipe it off and then leave the residue (you’ll still feel it on your face) to absorb overnight. Hey, if it’s good enough for a baby’s bum, it’s good enough for your lovely face!”
I couldn’t agree more. If it is okay for a baby, it is okay for my face.
4. Love Lettuce Fresh Face Mask ($6.95, LUSH)
LUSH face masks seemed to be the clear favorite among the commenters. chippythehero chose this exfoliating one as her #1 pick:
“LOVE LETTUCE from Lush. My absolute favorite.”
It has ground almonds, lavender oil, and honey to cleanse your skin and leave it feeling refreshed.
5. Golden Grains Brightening Mask ($3.99, Freeman)
If you have dry skin that is looking a little ghoulish, this mask will hydrate your face and give you a nice glow. Reader Jade-Yue-Ryu is a fan:
“When I need a quick pick me up, I use Golden Grains from the same company that makes Mint Julep. My skin is dry and this one is just moisturizing enough to use on a morning without being greasy and the golden shimmer just barely shows an effect.”
Moisturized but not greasy if the key for a successful hydrating mask.
6. YouthMud Tinglexfoliate Treatment ($19, Glam Glow)
GlamGlow masks often get glowing reviews. (Pun intended.) They are expensive, but they are worth splurging for. Nicole perfectly summarized how great this mask really is:
“GlamGlow YouthMud. Best mask ever! Your skin is transformed afterwards.”
Start with the 0.5 oz jar for $19 to see if it does wonders for your face, then you can decide whether it is worth splurging on the $69 1.7 oz one.
7. Moisture Surge Overnight Mask ($30, Clinique)
This was my pick. My skin can get quite dry in the winter and this nourishing mask stops my face from cracking in half when it gets so dry. You can wear it overnight, or if you just need a bit of a moisture boost, apply it for 20-ish minutes then rinse it off.
8. Cosmetic Warrior Fresh Face Mask ($6.95, LUSH)
Not only does this mask have a great name, but it also does a great job of deep-cleaning. Garavriel described it as having magical powers:
“I love Cosmetic Warrior from LUSH. It has magical break-out healing powers.”
If you are prone to pimples, try this gentle mask instead of some of your usual harsh, chemical products.
9. Even Advanced Deep Sea Facial Mask ($8.46, Alba Botanica)
If you want to shrink your pores and soothe redness, this clay mask will do the trick. Commenter Little Bird says it really works:
“I love Alba Botanica’s even advanced deep-sea minerals mask. It’s made with white kaolin clay and leaves my skin feeling buttery soft afterwards, with less redness and smaller pores! It’s very calming. I’m pretty sure this brand is marketed to teens, but hey, it’s cheap and it works! :)”
If the end result is great, the mask can be marketed for monkeys for all it matters.
(Photo: Kiselev Andrey Valerevich/Shutterstock)