The best face masks promise a quick and simple fix to a bad skin day. Whether your complexion is looking dull, tired or you’re eager for an instant glow, we’ve rounded up our go-to face masks that solve a multitude of skincare problems.
This list includes the best face masks for acne and blemishes, masks that help balance oily skin, and formulations that tighten and refresh more mature skin.
Face masks may be considered a bit of a luxury, especially if you barely have the time or money for a standard skincare routine but they’re a worthwhile investment if only to allow you to concentrate on yourself for five minutes.
We’ve deliberately chosen masks that are easy to apply, and have selected a number of peel-off and sheet masks. This means you can apply them and get on with things, without having to wash them off. We have a whole page full of the best sheet masks as well if that’s more your thing.
We tend to put on a peel-off face mask first thing, brush our teeth and do our eye makeup or hair while it’s setting, before peeling it off and putting on our foundation and other skincare products. Or at the weekend, while we’re making our sons’ breakfast. This is time we’d be spending doing other things anyway so it’s an easier way to incorporate a face mask into our already stretched daily schedule!
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£24.50 | Buy now
Why we love it: We are huge fans of peel-off face masks because they’re the least messy and can be removed easily.
They’re also great at lifting away dead and dull skin, which is exactly what this metallic peel-off mask from Origins does, leaving you with a clear and radiant complexion.
Our top entry in our list of the best face masks is made with coffee beans and PanaxGinseng, which help revitalise skin and tighten pores. Just apply an even layer to clean, dry skin, let it “set” and peel off. You can read about the benefits of caffeine on skin and hair in our guide to the acids in your skincare.
It’s no surprise we rate this mask so highly. Origins has previously proved itself enough to join the ranks in our best anti-ageing cream and best hair mask lists and this face mask lives up to the high standards these products have set.
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Buy now from Feelunique
£2.99 | Buy now
Why we love it: If you’re after the best face mask on a budget, we highly recommend the Garnier Moisture Bomb Sheet Mask. It’s priced at just £2.99. The ultra-thin tissue is infused with chamomile and hyaluronic acid, perfect for those who want to soothe and hydrate dry and sensitive skin.
We tend to use this mask on a weekly basis and save some of the more expensive masks for a monthly treat. If you keep this mask in the fridge, it’s also a hugely refreshing wake-up call in the morning. Plus there are complexion benefits to applying cold products to your face. You can read more in our Cryotherapy: What is it and why have celebs become obsessed with frozen facials? guide.
If the best sheet mask is what you’re after, we’ve also rounded up our favourites here.
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Buy now from Lookfantastic
£44 | Buy now
Why we love it: This face mask was once our Editor’s Pick until we gave the Origins mask a go. The latter is cheaper and less hassle, which is why it claimed the top spot. However, that doesn’t mean this Glamglow face mask isn’t worthy of high recognition.
It’s also a face mask that beauty gurus are raving about from the Gravitymud Firming Mask from the GLAMGLOW range.
Priced at £44, this firming treatment is far from cheap but it leaves skin looking renewed and youthful, even after one use. This is most definitely the best face mask for anti-ageing!
Containing liquorice and marshmallow leaf, this mask is great for anyone who wants to lift and tighten their skin. Sweep on the product with a brush and peel it away once it’s dry. It does have a slightly odd smell but it’s not unpleasant.
If £44 is too expensive, you can also buy a smaller pot of this face mask from Lookfantastic for just £16. You get 15g, rather than 50g, but it’s at least a cheaper way to try this mask to see if it’s as good as we think it is!
Buy now from Boots
£7.99 | Buy now
Why we love it: There are dozens and dozens of clay masks ranging vastly in price. So much so, we’re currently in the process of putting a load to the test to discover which is best.
While we complete those tests, though, we have to give a shout-out to an early front-runner. The Pure Clay Detox Mask from L’Oreal.
Fortified with charcoal and pure clay, the Pure Clay Detox Mask from L’Oreal’s range helps to draw out impurities whilst detoxifying the skin, making it the ideal product for anyone who suffers from acne.
Despite not being as cheap as our budget buy, this mask is more than affordable and offers a deeper cleanse. This is an ideal mask to use on a Sunday night to detox your skin from the week before to get it ready for the week ahead.
Buy now from Boots
£26 | Buy now
Why we love it: Next up in our list of best face masks is a product that’s perfect for those who suffer from oily and blemished skin.
The Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque draws out dirt and toxins while minimising the appearance of pores.
\It contains aloe vera, which soothes and comforts the skin, and Amazonian white clay which removes bacteria.
At £26, it’s a mid-range face mask, so is more of a treat mask than a weekly one but we find it works particularly well as we’re about to come on our period when our skin gets clogged up and gross.
If this is a problem you also suffer from, we also want to give a mention to Faace’s Period mask.
Buy now from Kiehls
The Chin Lift Sculpting Sheet Mask from Huda Kattan’s Wishful Skin is made from material typically used for athletic tape.
This tape mimics the elasticity of your skin and moves in the same way your skin moves. Within the Chin Lift strap, which is secured over your ears, are ingredients including adenosine, peptides, and niacinamide, plus peppermint to cool and calm the skin.
The Chin Lift is designed to be worn for up to 30 minutes and can give you a more defined jawline for an average of three hours. You can read our Wishful Chin Lift review to see before and after photos of our experience with the mask.
Buy now from Cult Beauty
