How to choose a skin care face mask

There's nothing that says "spa day" - or "spa-at-home day" - like lying back with a nourishing face mask. Luckily, there are hundreds on the market aimed at just about every skin care need. Need to moisturize dry skin? Treat oily skin? Use a gentle touch? Don't worry - you're covered. (Literally!)

But with so many styles and formulations, finding a good fit can feel overwhelming. So where do you start? Well, thanks for masking.

In this guide, get help in figuring out what to look for and how to target your particular skin concerns. We'll recommend some of the best products across a variety of different face mask styles.^* Soon you’ll find a match that works for you — so lie back and let the goodness soak in.

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Face mask types and uses for skin care

Cuidado de la piel mascarillas faciales embrace a wide range of products - with options aimed at most skin types. They can target particular skin concerns, including blackheads, dark spots, dry skin, oily skin and other forms of acne.

Masks have also taken on a dazzling number of forms. There are sheet masks that nourish skin, clay masks that absorb excess oil, peel-off formulas that exfoliate and masks that stay on overnight. And that's just a sampling.

The good news: A skin care mask can really help the face, explains Jeannette Graf, a dermatologist and assistant clinical professor at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.¹ "Face masks can be an effective way to deliver important ingredients and benefits to the skin in a way that can be gentle," she says. "A face mask that is well-formulated can certainly help with and improve skin by brightening, firming, purifying or soothing."

Best paraben-free face masks

Parabens are used in a wide range of beauty products to increase their shelf life. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that parabens are safe in cosmetics,² but they have been linked to skin irritation in rare instances.³ Some people prefer to use products without parabens. If you have sensitive skin, a paraben-free face mask may be one to try.

Consider Burt’s Bees refreshing sheet mask with cucumber extract for a hydrating, moisturizing and nourishing experience. In addition to being paraben free, the sheet mask is also formulated without phthalates and sodium lauryl sulfate, which may also irritate sensitive skin.

Another great option is Peach Slices hydrate mask, which is free from alcohol, artificial fragrance, dyes and coloring, formaldehyde, mineral oil, parabens and sulfates. The sheet mask is designed to hydrate and refresh skin in just 20 minutes.

Best vegan face masks

For those looking to go plant based with their skin care routine, a vegan face mask is a good match. “Vegan” means these products are not tested on animals and lack any animal by-products, including common ingredients such as beeswax and lanolin.

If you’re after a brightening experience as well, check out Vitamasques fruit enzyme pineapple face sheet mask, which includes pineapple and hyaluronic acid to help address dullness and dehydration.

Best face masks for acne

For those struggling with acne, mascarillas faciales may be a great option because many formulas have active ingredients that can help target blemishes.

Dr. Graf recommends looking for a mask with active exfoliants like salicylic acid. "Salicylic acid can penetrate deep into the pores and dissolve oil and dead skin cell buildup that causes acne," she says.

For a gentle experience, try Rael Beauty purifying tea tree facial sheet mask, a sheet mask that can help prevent excess oil buildup and reduce redness with its naturally antibacterial⁴ tea tree oil and soothing chamomile.

Best anti-aging face masks

To help manage the most common signs of aging, fine lines and wrinkles, Dr. Graf recommends keeping skin moisturized. "It is important for a plumper and dewy appearance," she says.

Look for ingredients that deliver hydration to the skin, including ceramides,⁵ glicerina⁶ and hyaluronic acid.⁷ Some products that tick those boxes include Vichy Aqualia Thermal night spa anti-aging night cream and face mask, which contains hyaluronic acid to help plump and hydrate skin, and L’Oréal Paris Revitalift triple power intensive overnight mask, which is formulated with hyaluronic acid, retinol and vitamin C to help address the appearance of fine lines and dullness.

Best oil-free face masks

People with oily skin may want to stay away from products with… you guessed it… heavy oils. Many oil-free face masks may also be noncomedogenic - that is, less likely to cause acne breakouts.

Have a little fun and address oiliness with Garnier SkinActive black peel-off mask with charcoal, a peel-off face mask that is incredibly satisfying to remove once dry. The charcoal-based formula is ideal for use on the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) or just the nose.

Best face masks for dry skin

If you’re on the other end of the oily spectrum and struggle with dry skin instead, a hydrating face mask can help give skin a swift dose of moisture when it’s needed most.

Dr. Graf recommends looking for masks that contain ingredients that can restore the skin’s moisture barrier and lock in hydration like fatty acids, glycerin, hyaluronic acid and vitamins.

A few products that fit this description include Neutrogena Moisturizing Hydro Boost hydrating face mask, which is made of a hydrogel material for optimal absorption and contains hyaluronic acid, and Inc.redible Prep To Party hydrating face mask, which includes hydrating hyaluronic acid, balancing niacinamide and (bonus!) real crystal powder for an iridescent effect once removed.

Best face masks for dark spots

Brightening face masks with ingredients like vitamin C can help zero in on dark spots, whether they’re from acne, scarring or sun exposure.

Consider Burt’s Bees brightening gel sheet face mask with vitamin C for a brighter, more hydrated appearance in just 10 minutes or try Rael Beauty brightening vitamin C facial sheet mask.

Best face masks for blackheads

Blackheads (along with whiteheads) can be addressed with recommended acne medications.⁸ These include azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, retinoids or salicylic acid. It's worth visiting a dermatologist, who can help customize the best regimen for specific skin types and goals.

While it’s tempting to turn to those buzzy nose strips, they only provide a temporary improvement in the appearance of pores and can be irritating for many.⁹ Instead, if you're looking for acne treatment, you should consider clay masks. Clay masks can absorb surface oil around the nose and T-zone as well as cleanse inside pores.

Ver Neutrogena Hydro Boost+ glycolic acid overnight face peel, which contains 10 percent glycolic acid to help target dullness and uneven texture or consider Hero Pore Purity cleansing clay mask, a non-drying face mask that cleanses away dirt and grime and minimizes the look of pores in four days.

How to use face masks

When using face masks, it’s important to follow the product’s specific guidelines as well as a few rules of common sense.

“I recommend always following directions when using a face mask,” says Dr. Graf. “For example, if you leave one with active ingredients on for too long or use it too often, it can irritate the skin and damage the skin barrier.”

Here are some answers to some of the most searched questions about these products:

How often should I use a face mask?

It depends on the face mask you're using, explains Dr. Graf. "If you're using one with active ingredients like chemical exfoliants, a clay mask or an enzyme mask, I recommend once weekly," she says. "If you're using a calming or moisturizing mask, you have more freedom with how often you want to use it, but I still recommend using it only once or twice a week or when your skin needs extra hydration."

Do face masks expire?

Yes, they do. "Just like all skin care products, face masks have an expiration date," says Dr. Graf. "Make sure to check the expiration date on the packaging. Skin care products also often have a period-after-opening symbol on the packaging to let you know how long the product can be used after opening."

Do you wash your face after a face mask?

Almost always. But be sure to follow the product's directions. Some will specify that you don't need to wash your face after (serum-infused sheet masks can fall into this category). Typically, though, you'll want to wash the mask off after the allotted time.

Furthermore, no matter the mask type, skin should be cleaned and dried before application. And your hands should be clean, too, before you apply it.

Should you moisturize after a face mask?

Generally, yes. Feel free to continue your skin care routine as usual including applying a moisturizer. One with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher during the day is a plus.

Este contenido es solo para fines informativos y no constituye un asesoramiento médico. Consult your health care provider before taking any vitamins or supplements and prior to beginning or changing any health care practices.