How to Find the Best Face Masks: What to Look for in Your Masks

You’re in the mood for a chill self-care night at home. You put together some warm water for a foot soak, set out your favorite soothing aromatherapy candles or oils, and grab a face mask that can work its magic while you Netflix your favorite guilty pleasure show. Put on the brakes, though – is that face mask really the best thing you can do for your skin?

When it comes to face masks, there are countless options on the market, from masks costing hundreds of dollars to cheap novelty masks you can pick up at a convenience store. How do you know you’re getting a mask that will truly make a positive difference for your skin? Allow me to share my wisdom.

How to Find the Best Face Masks for You

The right face mask can be a great boost for your skin, but how do you narrow your options and figure out which masks are really suited to you? There are several criteria you should consider.

Types of Face Masks

Skin care masks come in plenty of different forms depending on the experience you want. Most often, it will be one of these three:

• A wash-off mask, which comes in a bottle or tube – you apply the product to your face and then wash it off after a period of time
• A sheet mask, which comes as a pre-cut sheet of thin plastic with holes for your eyes, nose, and mouth – it has the skincare ingredients on the sheet so you just unfold it and lay it on your face
• A peel-off mask, which you apply like a wash-off mask with a creamy consistency but it dries into a film on your skin so you peel it off

Generally, none of these types of face masks are necessarily more effective than any others. It’s more of a matter of personal preference.

Face Mask Purposes

There’s a common misconception that all masks have the same goal for skin, but they don’t. A mask is just a category of skin care product; masks can serve countless different purposes based on how they’re formulated. There are masks for hydration, exfoliation, deep pore cleansing, wrinkle reduction, acne control, inflammation soothing, brown spot reduction, and more.

To get a great experience from your face mask, look for a mask that is designed for the goal you have for your skin. That often means alternating between a few different types of masks on various days or weeks. Here’s a tip, though: if you’re looking at a mask and you can’t tell from the package what it should do for your skin, that usually means it does a whole lot of nothing.

Mask Brand

A face mask might be more relaxing to use than other skin care products but that doesn’t mean it has any less of an impact on your skin’s health. Don’t roll the dice with some generic brand you don’t recognize – you need a mask from a brand you can trust.

Look for a mask from an established brand that primarily or exclusively specializes in skin care. You don’t have to be a skin care expert – as you’re shopping around for masks, a quick Google search of the brand should give you an idea of whether you’re dealing with the real deal or something that’s designed more for novelty than skin care.

Skin Types

Just as every face mask has been formulated to benefit your skin in a specific way, every mask has been designed with particular skin types in mind. The same hydrating mask can have a very different effect for someone with oily skin compared to someone with dry skin. Check out each mask you’re considering to see which ones are a fit for your skin type and your sensitivity level.

Our Top Face Mask Recommendations

Okay, let’s get to the goods – the shopping tips are all well and good but what if you just want to make it easy and get recommendations for great face masks? I’ve got you. Check out these top picks for face masks for various goals and skin types.

Face Masks for Oily Skin

Hormones, genetics, and countless other factors can make some people’s skin produce more oil than others. Work with your skin chemistry with these top face masks for oily skin:

• Tuel Balance Superfood Mask
• iS Clinical Tri-Active Exfoliating Masque

Face Masks for Dry Skin

If you’re tired of the discomfort and look of dry skin, adding a face mask every week or so can give your skin care routine a refreshing boost. Try these face masks for dry skin:

• Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Mask Hydrating Gel
• PCA Skin Hydrating Mask

Face Masks for Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin requires an extra level of caution in your skin care. Whether you’re trying to soothe irritation or keep your skin on an even keel, try these popular and effective face masks for sensitive skin:

• Osmosis Remedy Healing Balm
• SkinMedica Calming Masque

Face Masks for Anti-Aging

Daily skin care products can do wonders for slowing the progress of aging, but face masks can take it to the next level. Try these top anti-aging face masks:

• Babor Reversive Pro Youth Overnight Mask
• DefenAge 2-Minute Reveal Masque

Face Masks for Acne Control

If you’re struggling with acne, the right mask can help you by giving your pores a deep, thorough cleansing and balancing the bacteria, oil, and other factors that contribute to acne. Try these popular choices:

• Avant Intense Acne Battling Purifying French Green Clay Mask
• Dermalogica Clear Start Blackhead Clearing Fizz Mask

What all of this comes down to is the fact that it’s almost guaranteed that no matter what your skin type is or what you want to do for your skin, there are face masks out there that are perfect for you. All that’s left to do now is to start shopping and find your face mask soul mates. Happy exploring!