Face masks typically aren't a daily skincare step but more so a once-in-a-while indulgence like an at-home spa treatment. Whether you reach for one weekly, every couple of days, or sporadically, there's no denying the benefits of this add-on though.
"There are so many different kinds of masks—clay, cream, gel, exfoliating, sheet—and each one accomplishes something different," says celebrity esthetician Taylor Worden. Containing high concentrations of skin-loving ingredients, she explains that they can deliver big payoffs, like long-lasting hydration, a plumper complexion, breakout prevention, minimized fine lines, and less visible pores. Plus, while all skincare counts as self-care, face masks really have that TLC appeal.
With insight from Worden and two dermatologists in mind, we selected several best-sellers to put to the test in our everyday lives for a couple of weeks. Each product was evaluated based on type, application, ingredients, efficacy, benefits, feel, appearance, and skin type compatibility, then we narrowed it down to the best face masks out there today.
Best Overall
Rosen Skincare Smooth Jelly Mask
Hygienic pump dispenser
Calms redness and illuminates skin after one use
Noticeable reduction in dark spots
Accessible and affordable
Nothing
The simple act of applying a face mask and relaxing with it on can be a powerful form of self-care—even better when it produces a noticeable improvement in the look and feel of your skin. That's exactly what this mask did when we tried it out. The lightweight, jelly texture was easy to spread across our skin and comfortable as it dried.
After just one use, it significantly calmed redness and illuminated our complexions. After using it consistently once a week for a couple of weeks, we saw visibly reduced hyperpigmentation, smoother texture, and all-around glowier skin.
Who It's For
Considering that this mask delivers on all of its claims, not to mention the accessible price point, we recommend it to anyone in the market for a weekly skincare treatment.
Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, licorice root, cucumber extract | Benefits: Exfoliates, fades dark spots | Size: 2 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Splurge
Sisley Paris Black Rose Cream Mask
Mess-free and easy to apply
Addresses dry patches
Noticeable improvement in hydration
Visibly plumps skin
May be too heavy for oily skin
This ultra-creamy formula is pillowy-soft and easy to apply. After trying it out, we can tell you it works wonders for combination skin, addressing both dryness and a greasy T-zone. With consistent use, you can count on a reduction in flaky patches and an overall more hydrated, plump complexion. That said, since it's somewhat heavy, it may not be ideal for those with oily skin.
While it's quite expensive, a little bit goes a long way, and since it's not a wash-off product, we think it's a fair value.
Who It's For
Willing to indulge in a high-end face mask to make part of your self-care routine more luxe? This pricey pick has the Byrdie stamp of approval.
Key Ingredients: Black rose, vitamin E, shea butter | Benefits: Smoothes, illuminates, hydrates | Size: 2 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Illuminating
Then I Met You Rosé Resurfacing Facial Mask
Gel texture feels refreshing
Leaves skin noticeably softer
Delivers radiance with AHA and BHA Rose Complex
Doesn't make a noticeable difference in skin texture
We loved the gel texture and slightly cooling feel of this refreshing mask. It's easy to apply and mess-free, so you can walk around your home and get other things done before rinsing it off. We also liked that it didn't dry down to a tight or uncomfortable finish. It has a blend of AHAs and BHAs (in the form of glycolic and lactic acid), which can help with skin cell turnover and shrink the look of pores.
Immediately after using this mask, our skin was softer, more hydrated, and radiant. It didn't do much in terms of improving texture. But after consistent weekly use throughout our testing period, our complexions looked more lively and glowy.
Who It's For
While dull skin isn't nearly as frustrating as consistent blemishes or flaky, dry patches, it can make it challenging to feel like your best, most confident self. If you resonate with this, we recommend trying this illuminating mask.
Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, resveratrol | Benefits: Illuminating, exfoliating, calming | Size: 1.8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Exfoliating
Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask
Easy to apply and comfortable to wear
Provides manual and chemical exfoliation
Visibly improves skin texture for more radiant skin
Can be a bit intense upon first application
Takes a bit of effort to remove
This popular mask provides dual exfoliation (chemical and physical), thanks to pumpkin enzymes and alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) for chemical exfoliation, as well as aluminum oxide crystals to physically polish away dead skin cells. The thick, gel-like texture has a fine grit to it, which makes application easy and ensures the physical exfoliation isn't overly harsh. It also has a delicious pumpkin scent that isn't too overpowering.
The mask felt pretty intense at first. It caused a slight burning sensation, but it quickly subsided, and we didn't experience the same discomfort after the first use. It's definitely a powerful formula, so it can take some time to build up a tolerance. After keeping it on for about five minutes and washing it off, our skin felt softer and had a healthy-looking glow.
Who It's For
If you need a powerful exfoliating treatment to rid your skin of dry patches or uneven texture, we absolutely recommend this mask. However, if you have sensitive skin, this mask might be too much for it.
Key Ingredients: Pumpkin enzymes, AHA, aluminum oxide crystals | Benefits: Exfoliating | Size: 5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Refreshing
Peach Slices Snail Rescue Intensive Wash-Off Jelly Mask
Lightweight, cooling texture
Gel consistency is easy to apply and remove
Leaves skin feeling hydrated and looking plumped
Doesn't produce noticeable long-lasting results
Whether you're coming from a sweaty gym session or a long day at work, applying a refreshing face mask and putting your feet up might be the pick-me-up you need. We adore this one because of its lightweight gel consistency and cooling feel that instantly calms. It's formulated with 95% snail mucin, which might sound gross, but it's a natural source of hyaluronic acid and glycerin that plumps the skin and delivers ample moisture. It's also a pretty affordable product considering how much you get and that a little goes a long way..
This mask helped hydrate our skin, leaving us with glowy, toned complexions. The overall user experience was enjoyable, though we didn't see a noticeable difference in texture, pore size, or dark spots.
Who It's For
Looking for a refreshing skincare treatment that hydrates your skin and leaves it looking radiant? We think you'll love this one.
Key Ingredients: Snail mucin, hyaluronic acid, centella asiatica, licorice root | Benefits: Hydrates, illuminates, targets dark spots | Size: 3.4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Soothing
Kiehl's Calendula Petal-Infused Calming Mask
Lightweight, cream-gel texture
Helps calm redness and stressed skin with calendula and aloe vera
Leaves skin extra hydrated
Easy to apply and remove
Doesn’t produce long-lasting results
This mask from Kiehl's contains calendula extract, which has healing properties, as well as aloe vera to calm inflammation. It has a creamy gel texture that feels incredibly soft as you apply it. Once it's on, the formula produces a slightly cooling sensation that feels amazing on stressed skin.
We found it comfortable to wear and thought our skin looked healthier and more hydrated after just one use. With continued use, it delivered a smoother, plumper complexion. Although we didn't notice a lasting difference in the hydration levels of our skin, this mask is an excellent option for when you need a quick moisture boost.
Who It's For
Soothing masks like this one are great when your skin looks or feels irritated—think redness, flaking, or itching.
Key Ingredients: Calendula extract, aloe vera | Benefits: Soothes, hydrates | Size: 3.4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Enlarged Pores
Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Exfoliating Treatment
Provides physical and chemical exfoliation
Unclogs and minimizes appearance of pores
Leaves skin looking glowy
Initial feeling on skin can be a bit harsh
Chances are, you've heard of this treatment mask—or at least seen it on social if you keep up with what's popular in the skincare industry. It's been a long-time player in the exfoliation category, and considering how effective it is, we get the hype. The formula boasts a blend of fruit enzymes, lactic acid (a form of AHA), and salicylic acid (a beta-hydroxy acid or BHA) to provide chemical exfoliation, along with silica to physically buff away dead skin cells.
We experienced some stinging with the first application. The brand warns users that it'll cause some tingling and potentially redness initially, but the intense feeling can be alarming. However, these sensations didn't last long, and the formula worked wonders at removing dead skin cell buildup and visibly improving the appearance of pores. After using it, our skin looked more even and super glowy.
Who It's For
If you're not bothered by the possibility of experiencing a bit of initial discomfort in the name of smooth, exfoliated skin and less visible pores, this product is definitely worth trying out.
Key Ingredients: Papaya enzymes, lactic acid, salicylic acid | Benefits: Exfoliates, helps clear pores | Size: 0.5–5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Multi-Purpose
Kora Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask
Visibly reduces appearance of pores
Leaves skin looking even and radiant
Fine, gritty texture makes application easy
Can be used as a scrub or detoxifying mask
Gritty particles could be slightly abrasive on sensitive skin
Products that can be used in multiple ways earn extra points in our book, and this exfoliating mask is one of the best. It has the texture of a scrub, so it can be used in the shower or whenever you wash your face. It also works as a treatment mask that you can leave on for about two minutes before washing off. The formula contains turmeric to help illuminate your complexion and target hyperpigmentation, mineral powder for physical exfoliation, and aspen bark, a naturally occurring BHA, for chemical exfoliation.
We liked the gritty consistency because the granules were pretty fine—it also helped us apply it as it didn't slide around on our faces. But those with sensitive skin might find it too abrasive. After rinsing it off, we were extremely impressed by how even and radiant our skin looked—our pores appeared smaller, dead skin cells were removed, and our complexions looked healthier overall.
Who It's For
This choose-your-own-adventure product can be used as a facial scrub, a chemical exfoliant, a treatment mask, or an in-shower shower face cleanser.
Key Ingredients: Turmeric, mineral powder, aspen bark | Benefits: Illuminates, exfoliates, helps fade dark spots | Size: 1–3.4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Sensitive Skin
Tatcha Violet-C Radiance Mask
Doesn't burn or tingle
Luxe, creamy texture
Leaves skin looking glowy thanks to two types of itamin C
Results don't last long
Like many skincare actives, vitamin C can be sensitizing, but not with this mask. We tried it out on sensitive skin, and it didn't sting or lead to a burning sensation—something reactive complexions may experience with similar products. The luxurious feel of the thick, creamy texture and gorgeous purple hue of the container really enhanced our experience.
This formula contains two types of vitamin C, plus fruit enzymes to gently exfoliate and help illuminate your skin. We noticed an immediate improvement in the radiance of our complexions after using this mask. While the glowy effects didn't seem to last more than a few hours, it did calm redness and addressed dry patches.
Who It's For
Though pricey for a product that doesn't create major, long-lasting effects, we think Tatcha Violet-C is a fantastic option for people with sensitive complexions looking to incorporate vitamin C into their skincare routine.
Key Ingredients: Japanese beautyberry, vitamin C, fruit enzymes | Benefits: Illuminates, gently exfoliates, helps fade dark spots | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Overnight
Farmacy 10% Niacinamide Night Mask
Pillowy soft, gel-cream consistency
Deeply hydrating
A little bit goes a long way
Niacinamide helps smooth the appearance of pores and fine lines
Leaves a minor tacky feeling on the skin
This face mask has a seriously unique texture—it's incredibly soft and gel-like yet somehow still creamy. It spreads like butter, so a tiny bit goes a long way. The formula contains niacinamide (vitamin B3) to help even out skin texture, soak up oil, and reduce the appearance of pores.
It worked remarkably well to deeply hydrate our parched skin and prevent dry patches. We noticed a plumping effect, which helped smooth the appearance of fine lines. Not only that, but this mask blurred the look of enlarged pores and left us with a more radiant complexion. It had a slightly tacky feel, but it wasn't uncomfortable at all and didn't stick to our pillowcases or sheets.
Who It's For
Face masks you can apply before bed and let work their magic while you sleep are serious time-savers, and this one is particularly unique and fantastic.
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, panthenol, beta-glucan, shea butter | Benefits: Smoothes, hydrates, illuminates | Size: 0.85–5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Resurfacing
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial AHA + BHA Mask
Chemical exfoliation addresses multiple concerns
Noticeable results
Hygienic air-tight container
May be too intense for sensitive skin
This resurfacing mask helps improve uneven texture and gives dull complexions a glowy boost while unclogging pores and elevating elasticity. AHA and BHA are the stars of Drunk Elephant's beloved Babyfacial. These tried-and-true chemical exfoliants essentially dissolve dead cells on the outermost layer of your skin to reveal smoother skin underneath. We also appreciate the airtight container, as many masks require you to dip your fingers into a lidded tub.
Who It's For
If you're dealing with uneven texture, dullness, blackheads, dullness, discoloration, or dark spots, 20 minutes with this Byrdie favorite will make you feel like a whole new person. Just know it may be too much for sensitive skin types.
Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid | Benefits: Exfoliates, improves texture, unclogs pores | Size: 0.5–1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Peel
Hanacure The All-In-One Facial
Read Full Review: This Korean Face Mask Made My 70-Year-Old Parents' Skin Look Like Glass
Fun to use
Tightens and improves elasticity
Dermatologist-recommended
Single-use kit
"The Hanacure All-In-One Mask also deserves mention for its proprietary Octolift technology," says dermatologist Claire Wolinsky, MD. "[It] is a fun peel to use and will leave the skin feeling tighter, thanks to effective peptides and antioxidants." Part of the joy is that, as it dries, it crinkles onto your skin and makes you look temporarily—for lack of better term—worse. (Lots of people post "during" photos of this alarming crinkle effect on Instagram.) Then you peel it off to reveal a smoother, plumper-looking complexion. We just wish there were more masks included in the kit, considering the price.
Who It's For
This dermatologist-recommended mask is a fun option for an evening of self-care at home, whether by yourself or with a friend. (This kit only comes with one treatment, but you can get a four-pack.)
Key Ingredients: Beta-glucan, peptides, botanicals, antioxidants | Benefits: Smooths, illuminates, tightens | Size: 1 use | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Sheet Mask
Perricone MD Cold Plasma Treatment Sheet Mask
Easy to apply and stays in place
Addresses multiple skin concerns including fine lines
Leaves skin smoother and more radiant
Leaves skin feeling slightly tacky
Sheet masks are great single-use skincare treatments, but can be frustrating to use since they're typically one-size-fits...hardly anyone. While many slip and slide around your face, this one has two pieces, which makes application super easy—and, unlike many other sheet masks, it stays put until you're ready to take it off. After letting it baste for about 20 minutes, you can count on ultra-hydrated and plump skin that looks smoother, tighter, and more radiant. It can, however, leave skin feeling a little sticky right after you take it off.
Who It's For
This is a stellar single-use mask for treating your skin. The effective formula helps address dullness, uneven texture, discoloration, and loss of elasticity.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, copper peptide, phospholipids | Benefits: Improves texture, addresses dullness | Size: 1 or 6 masks | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Where We Stand
Overall, our favorite face mask is the Rosen Skincare Smooth Jelly Mask because it's affordable, has functional packaging, and features an effective formula that works wonders for calming redness and improving the appearance of dark spots. If exfoliation is the goal, try the Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask. And if you're in the market for a deeply hydrating overnight mask we recommend the Farmacy 10% Niacinamide Night Mask.
How We Tested
Our editors took their time researching today's best face masks, then selected several highly rated best-sellers to try firsthand. We took them home and used them consistently as directed for two weeks. Each product was rated based on type, application, ingredients, efficacy, benefits, feel, appearance, and skin type compatibility, and those that scored the highest are featured here.
Attributes we evaluated each face mask on:
- Type and application
- Ingredients
- Benefits and efficacy
- Feel and appearance
- Skin type compatibility
Other Options We Tested
Versed Doctor's Visit Instant Resurfacing Mask
The texture of this jelly mask feels comfortable on the skin. But unfortunately, we didn't notice any improvements in our skin texture with consistent use.
Renee Rouleau Triple Berry Smoothing Peel Mask
We noticed some minor improvements in the radiance of our complexions after using this popular face mask. However, we felt it was simply too pricey, especially since it didn't really deliver noteworthy results.
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask
We appreciate how easy this viral mask is to apply and remove, making the user experience pleasant. But we didn't feel like it did all that much in terms of hydrating or calming our skin.
What to Consider When Buying a Face Mask
- Skin Type and Concern: Your skin type and any specific concerns you'd like to address will help determine which type of face mask you should get. For instance, if your skin is sensitive or dehydrated, you might look for a soothing, hydrating formula, like Kiehl's Calendula Petal-Infused Calming Mask. If you're battling breakouts, an absorbent, pore-clearing mask may be the best choice such as Kate Somerville's ExfoliKate Exfoliating Mask.
- Ingredients: You should also pay attention to the ingredients list, as this will give you clues as to what a mask can accomplish. "Popular ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and botanicals can help soothe and restore the skin barrier," says Dr. Wolinsky. Dermatologist Diane Madfes, MD, says people with sensitive skin should avoid masks containing fragrance, as it could be a potential irritant. For dry skin, she recommends hydrating formulas, like the Sisley Paris Black Rose Cream Mask, which contains glycerin and squalane.
- Type and Application: Face masks come in various forms. There are single-use sheet masks, which are typically individually wrapped and designed to be placed directly on the face. You'll also find lots of options that come in tubes, tubs, and airtight containers. These work more like face lotions, except they're often meant to be rinsed off after a short period. If you're tight on time, something you can apply with your fingers and leave on overnight, like the Farmacy 10% Niacinamide Night Mask, is your best bet.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Theresa Holland is a skincare aficionado and freelance copywriter specializing in wellness and lifestyle. Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and a product tester specializing in cosmetics. Both authors have tested dozens of face masks, including a majority on this list.
- Taylor Worden is a New York-based celebrity esthetician and the founder of Taylor Worden Skin.
- Diane Madfes, MD, FAAD, of Madfes Dermatology & Aesthetics Group, is a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist.
- Claire Wolinsky, MD, is a New York dermatologist specializing in facial rejuvenation.