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best face masks

19 Best Face Masks for Every Skin Type (Yup, Even Yours)

Trust: These are worth your cash.

Headshot of Lauren BalsamoBy Lauren Balsamo

Listen, face masks are trendy, but they're not exactly a necessary step in your skincare routine. Yes, it's true that most face masks are made with a high concentration of good-for-you ingredients (like vitamin C and hyaluronic acid) to help you achieve your skin goals—but they're not going to majorly transform your face (only Botox and consistent retinol and sunscreen can do that). "Ideally, face masks should be used once or twice a week as a complement to a well-rounded skincare routine," explains dermatologist Alexis Stephens, DO. Basically, face masks are a nice-to-have extra that can enhance your existing skincare—and, obvs, they can just be plain fun to use.

So, if any of those things sound appealing to you, go ahead and check out these 19 best face masks. I hit up the experts (big thanks to Dr. Stephens, dermatologist Arash Akhavan, MD, and licensed estheticians Alli Davis and Elizabeth Grace Hand) to find the best ones for every skin type, including dry, sensitive, oily, acne-prone, and more.

Our top picks for best face masks of 2022

  • 1
    Topicals Like Butter Hydrating Mask

    Best Face Mask for Dry, Sensitive Skin

    Topicals Like Butter Hydrating Mask

    $34 at Sephora
    Read more
  • 2
    Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial Mask

    Best Overnight Face Mask for Dry, Dehydrated Skin

    Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial Mask

    Read more
  • 3
    Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask

    Best Charcoal Face Mask

    Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask

    Read more
  • 4
    Tata Harper Superkind Radiance Mask

    Best Smoothing Face Mask for Sensitive Skin

    Tata Harper Superkind Radiance Mask

    Read more
  • 5
    Hyper Skin Fade and Glow AHA Mask

    Best Face Mask for Acne Marks and Scars

    Hyper Skin Fade and Glow AHA Mask

    Read more


Ahead, the entire list of best face masks along with all the must-know info about each formula, reviews from real testers, and more.

1
Best Face Mask for Dry, Sensitive Skin

Topicals Like Butter Hydrating Mask

Topicals Like Butter Hydrating Mask
1
Best Face Mask for Dry, Sensitive Skin

Topicals Like Butter Hydrating Mask

$34 at Sephora
Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Deeply hydrating
  • Reduces irritation
Cons
  • Not suitable for oily skin types

This creamy face mask is pretty much a miracle for your dry, sensitive skin. Why? It contains skin barrier-strengthening ceramides and healing cica extract—plus, it calms any inflammation and redness with soothing colloidal oatmeal extract. You can use it as a 20-minute mask for a quick hit of hydration, or leave it on overnight for deeper skin nourishment.

2
Best Overnight Face Mask for Dry, Dehydrated Skin

Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial Mask

Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial Mask
2
Best Overnight Face Mask for Dry, Dehydrated Skin

Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial Mask

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Can be used overnight
Cons
  • May not be hydrating enough for super dry skin types

Treat your skin while you sleep and slather on this overnight face mask before bed. It's packed with humectants, antioxidants (like niacinamide), and vitamin F to give the appearance of firmer, plumper, and smoother skin come morning. “This is an excellent choice if you are looking to nourish and hydrate your while also improving tone and texture,” says Dr. Alexis.

3
Best Charcoal Face Mask

Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask

Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask
3
Best Charcoal Face Mask

Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Reduces excess oil for a matte finish
Cons
  • Not suitable for dry, sensitive skin

Licensed esthetician Alli Davis is a big fan of this charcoal face mask from Origins for treating clogged pores and breakouts. "The charcoal helps detox and minimize the look of large pores, leaving your skin clean and smooth," says Davis. "It can even be used as a spot treatment for stubborn blemishes too."

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4
Best Smoothing Face Mask for Sensitive Skin

Tata Harper Superkind Radiance Mask

Tata Harper Superkind Radiance Mask
4
Best Smoothing Face Mask for Sensitive Skin

Tata Harper Superkind Radiance Mask

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Made with natural and organic ingredients
Cons
  • Some reviewers say it's $$ for a small jar

This face mask is made with all-natural and organic skincare ingredients, making it a great choice for green beauty lovers. The hypoallergenic, fragrance-free formula is made with lactic acid and soothing plant extracts to gently smooth skin texture, balance your skin's microbiome, and restore its protective barrier too.

5
Best Face Mask for Acne Marks and Scars

Hyper Skin Fade and Glow AHA Mask

Hyper Skin Fade and Glow AHA Mask
5
Best Face Mask for Acne Marks and Scars

Hyper Skin Fade and Glow AHA Mask

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Great for fading all forms of hyperpigmentation
Cons
  • Should not be used with retinoids or other strong actives

This face mask contains two types of AHAs—glycolic acid and mandelic acid—to resurface skin and fade the appearance of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (aka the dark marks and scars that linger post-breakout. It's even got niacinamide, which also helps fade spots in addition to reducing excess sebum and inflammation.

6
Best Soothing Sheet Mask

Avène Soothing Sheet Masks

Avène Soothing Sheet Masks
6
Best Soothing Sheet Mask

Avène Soothing Sheet Masks

Now 50% Off
Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Works quickly to soothe irritation
Cons
  • Packaging is single-use

“I am a massive fan of the Avene Soothing Sheet Mask," says Dr, Alexis. "It's infused with thermal spring water to help repair the skin barrier and deeply soothe sensitive skin." Pop it on clean, dry skin and leave it on for up to 10 minutes to visibly reduce inflammation and irritation.

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7
Best Face Mask for Damaged Skin

Biologique Recherche Cream Masque Vernix

Biologique Recherche Cream Masque Vernix
7
Best Face Mask for Damaged Skin

Biologique Recherche Cream Masque Vernix

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Good for sensitive or easily irritated skin
Cons
  • Only sold via spas and skincare professionals

This restorative face mask from iconic French skincare brand Biologique Recherche (you've prob heard of their hero product P50) will be your BFF if you have a sun burn or for times when you've over done it with strong actives. "It is particularly good at resetting skin that has overdosed on acids and retinols," says Hand. "It has healing benefits that are inspired by the protective coating that forms over a baby's skin in utero." The more you know...

8
Best Powder Face Mask

Juice Beauty Revitalizing Acacia + Rose Powder Mask

Juice Beauty Revitalizing Acacia + Rose Powder Mask
8
Best Powder Face Mask

Juice Beauty Revitalizing Acacia + Rose Powder Mask

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Made with clean, sustainable ingredients
Cons
  • Reviewers say it can be a bit messy to use

Made in collaboration with actress and clean beauty lover Kate Hudson, this powder face mask will instantly upgrade your DIY skincare game. Once you mix this antioxidant-infused powder with water, it turns into a glow-boosting face mask. It’s an ideal weekly treatment for anyone with dull, lackluster skin.

9
Best Brightening Face Mask

Natureofthings Rejuvenating Overnight Facial Mask

Natureofthings Rejuvenating Overnight Facial Mask
9
Best Brightening Face Mask

Natureofthings Rejuvenating Overnight Facial Mask

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Made with clean, plant-based ingredients
Cons
  • On the pricey-side

This is licensed esthetician Elizabeth Grace Hand's go-to overnight face mask for brightening and illuminating skin. "It's made with pineapple extract to gently slough off dead skin cells, enabling the kakadu plum—the fruit extract contains nature's highest concentration of vitamin c—to penetrate more effectively."

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10
Best Face Mask for Clogged Pores

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
10
Best Face Mask for Clogged Pores

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Super affordable as far as face masks go
Cons
  • May be too drying for sensitive skin

This mask is an excellent choice for anyone experiencing oily skin, clogged pores, and breakouts, says Dr. Alexis. "It's made with 2 percent salicylic acid and kaolin clay to remove excess oil and build-up from pores." Apply it to a clean, dry face twice a week for clearer, smoother skin.

11
Best Energizing Face Mask

Mario Badescu Brightening Mask with Vitamin C

Mario Badescu Brightening Mask with Vitamin C
11
Best Energizing Face Mask

Mario Badescu Brightening Mask with Vitamin C

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Gives skin an immediate glow
Cons
  • Contains synthetic fragrance

Traveling? Tired? Hungover? This face mask can majorly help. It contains antioxidant-rich vitamin C to breathe life into your skin and brighten up it's tone, along with detoxifying clays to purify pores. The result? Skin that's soft, smooth, and glowing.

12
Best Multitasking Face Mask

Klur Supreme Seed Delicate Purification Mask

Klur Supreme Seed Delicate Purification Mask
12
Best Multitasking Face Mask

Klur Supreme Seed Delicate Purification Mask

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Made with sustainably sourced ingredients
  • Free-from synthetic fragrance
Cons
  • Some reviewers say it has a mild tingling sensation

Take a few minutes out of your week to reset your skin with this multitasking mask from Klur from esthetician and product formulator Lesley Thornton. It decongests and purifies skin while simultaneously nourishing and soothing with a blend of panthenol and calendula and cacao extracts.

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13
Best Clay Face Mask

Tatcha The Clarifying Clay Mask Exfoliating Pore Treatment

Tatcha The Clarifying Clay Mask Exfoliating Pore Treatment
13
Best Clay Face Mask

Tatcha The Clarifying Clay Mask Exfoliating Pore Treatment

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Helps minimize the looks of large pores
Cons
  • Not suitable for dry, sensitive skin types

This creamy clay mask—it's made with Japanese konjac and volcanic ask plus clay from Okinawa—is the closest thing to a pore eraser I've yet to try. It absorbs gunk and build-up, minimizes the appearance of large pores, and smooths rough, uneven texture...all without sucking precious moisture from your skin.

14
Best Face Mask for Oily, Acne-Prone Skin

Sunday Riley Saturn Sulfur Spot Treatment Mask

Sunday Riley Saturn Sulfur Spot Treatment Mask
14
Best Face Mask for Oily, Acne-Prone Skin

Sunday Riley Saturn Sulfur Spot Treatment Mask

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • It's vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
  • May be too drying for certain skin types

This face mask for acne-prone skin reduces breakouts (and prevents new ones from creeping up) with a potent combo of zinc, niacinamide, sulfur, tea tree, and bentonite clay. Use it once or twice a week as an allover mask, or on individual breakouts as a spot treatment.

15
Best Sheet Face Mask for Dehydrated Skin

Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb Sheet Mask

Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb Sheet Mask
15
Best Sheet Face Mask for Dehydrated Skin

Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb Sheet Mask

Credit: Garnier.com
Pros
  • Plumps and hydrates skin quickly
Cons
  • Packaging is single-use

This water-based sheet mask might (it comes in a pack of six) look like others you’ve tried, except this one packs half a bottle of hydrating serum (plus hyaluronic acid and pomegranate extract) in one mask. Yes, you read that correctly: Half. A. Bottle. So if your skin is in dire need of hydration, this face mask from the drugstore skincare brand is for you.

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16
Best Fast-Acting Face Mask

Dior Capture Totale Dreamskin 1-Minute Mask

Dior Capture Totale Dreamskin 1-Minute Mask
16
Best Fast-Acting Face Mask

Dior Capture Totale Dreamskin 1-Minute Mask

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Works it's magic in 60 seconds
Cons
  • Contains synthetic fragrance

If you are short on time but still want to give your skin to a lil TLC with a face mask, try this fast-acting formula from Dior. It’s full of potent AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids, like glycolic acid), so you only need to keep it on your face for one minute to experience all the exfoliating benefits.

17
Best Exfoliating Face Mask

Renée Rouleau Triple Berry Smoothing Peel

Renée Rouleau Triple Berry Smoothing Peel
17
Best Exfoliating Face Mask

Renée Rouleau Triple Berry Smoothing Peel

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Great for brightening skin and smoothing rough texture
Cons
  • Cannot be used with retinoids or other acid serums

I’m obsessed with this exfoliating face mask from facialist Renée Rouleau. It contains five acids—salicylic, mandelic, lactic, tartaric, and malic—which all work together to dissolve the glue that holds together your pore-clogging and skin-dulling dead skin cells. I use it twice a week to keep breakouts, hyperpigmentation, and any bumps or rough patches on my face in check.

18
Best Luxe Mask

Valmont LumiMask

Valmont LumiMask
18
Best Luxe Mask

Valmont LumiMask

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Visibly brightens skin tone and smooths skin texture
Cons
  • Most expensive option on the list

I know this face mask is $$$$, but it’s truly the closest thing to hitting the reset button on your skin you can find. The creamy formula is loaded with AHAs and papaya extract to slough off dead skin cells, smooth fine lines and wrinkles and ~energize~ your skin, making it look brighter and glowier in under 10 minutes.

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19
Best Face Mask for Rosacea-Prone Skin

Skinceuticals Phyto Corrective Masque

Skinceuticals Phyto Corrective Masque
19
Best Face Mask for Rosacea-Prone Skin

Skinceuticals Phyto Corrective Masque

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Great for soothing skin after a sunburn
Cons
  • Some reviewers say the texture can feel sticky on skin

If you deal with rosacea on the regular, this botanical-based face mask will immediately calm redness and irritation thanks to its soothing blend of plant-extracts (like cucumber, thyme, and olive extract) for an instant cooling effect.

20

How to choose a face mask for 2022

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Keep your skin type in mind

The best face mask for you is the one made with ingredients best suited to your skin type, says Dr. Akhavan. "If you have oily, acne-prone skin you should look for a mask with ingredients like charcoal, sulfur, or AHAs/BHAs, but if you have dry skin you should look for something with hydrating ingredients like green tea, hyaluronic acid, or squalane."

The style of the mask matters too, adds, Dr. Alexis. "Bio-celluose sheets masks are great for sensitive skin since they have calming properties, clay or mud-based masks are best for oily skin, and overnight masks are beneficial for nourishing and moisturizing."

Always follow the directions

Sounds like a no-brainer, but following the directions on your face mask is key for getting the best result—so please don't go rogue and use a clay mask as an overnight mask or an exfoliating mask multiple times a week.

Avoid certain ingredients

Synthetic fragrances (you’ll often see them as “parfum” on an ingredient list) aren’t an issue for every skin type, but they can be problematic for those with sensitive skin, so it's best to avoid them in your face mask if your skin is easily irritated, says Dr. Alexis. Other potentially risky ingredients to avoid, according to Dr. Akhavan? Parabens or harsh preservative.

Headshot of Lauren Balsamo
Lauren Balsamo
Deputy Beauty Director

Lauren Balsamo is deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan, where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for nine years at Cosmopolitan and has contributed to Women’s Health and Seventeen magazines as well. Follow her on Instagram

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