What Face Mask Should I Use?

If you want to find a face mask that's perfect for your skin, this article is a must-read!

Whether you love face masks as a part of your self-care ritual or wearing them while you do chores around the house, I think we can all agree they're a fun way to give your skin some TLC.

(Plus, they're great for selfies, am I right?!)

It's no wonder that they've exploded in popularity!

But with all the options out there, you may be wondering, "What face mask is best for oily skin," or "What face mask is good for acne?"

That's where I come in to help!

Today's blog includes personalized skincare quizzes and product recommendations to help you find the perfect face mask.

As always, my goal is to help you achieve the skin you want!

Everything You Need to Know About Face Masks

Face masks were one of the first beauty rituals ever!

Clay masks have been used since ancient times, particularly in Egypt and in ancient Ayurveda traditions.

Ready-made face masks were invented in 1857.

They were cut from cloth and saturated with moisturizers and oils, a predecessor to today's sheet masks.

In recent years, Korean beauty has had a big influence.

According to Statista, the vast majority of face mask market value can be attributed to the Asia Pacific region.

However, in 2016, the compound annual growth rate for face masks in the US was upwards of 18%, compared to 16.1% in China.

Each mask is different, so read the directions to know how often to use a face mask.

Types of masks include:

Gel

Gel face masks (sometimes referred to as jelly masks) usually have a soothing and cooling sensation upon contact.

These masks are often infused with hydrating ingredients like aloe, which lend a helping hand to the skin recovery process.

Ilike Organic Skin Care Fibrous Stonecrop Gel Mask

This mask is packed with amino acids, antioxidants, and antibacterial ingredients for clear, healthy skin. It cools and soothes your skin on contact, making it a perfect after-sun treatment! It also deeply moisturizes to promote a smoother appearance.

Cream

Cream masks are rich in oils and moisturizers and help to replenish dry skin.

Hydrating ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, effectively attract and bind moisture, helping you reveal that plumped up, tightened skin you’re craving.

Eminence Organics Coconut Cream Masque

This powerful blend of hydrating ingredients instantly moisturize your skin and leave it feeling soft and supple, while antioxidant-rich coconut milk protects against signs of aging.

Peel-Off

Peel-off masks work by gently removing the outermost layer of your skin to slough away dead skin cells and relieve dullness.

This produces a smoother skin texture, and can also help balance out pigmentation.

Peel-off masks are often vitamin, plant-based, or fruit extract-based, and formulated with charcoal, antioxidants, and botanicals.

Alana Mitchell Clear Collagen Peel-Off Masque

Perfect for travel, my face mask helps you treat yourself to a facial on-the-go! In just 20 minutes, you'll have a more plump and firm complexion with a youthful contour. This is the best face mask for wrinkles!

SURPRISE: I’m so eager for you to try it that you can get one for FREE! Just pay for shipping.

(No, that wasn’t a typo.)

CLICK HERE to get your FREE Clear Collagen Peel-Off Masque TODAY!

Overnight

Overnight masks are meant to be worn -- you guessed it -- overnight.

They're called "sleep packs" abroad.

They go to work while you're asleep to target your skin concerns, such as dryness, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and dullness, and can be removed with water in the morning.

These formulas are typically richer in consistency to really lock in ingredients and moisture.

Image Skincare Ageless Total Overnight Retinol Masque

This mask is great for nighttime rejuvenation to increase your skin's firmness and diminish imperfections! Water bank technology continually releases hydration and locks in nutrients to help you reveal new radiance.

Exfoliating

Ideal for most skin types, exfoliating masks are a great way to get rid of dead skin cells.

Along with the exfoliating factor, these masks help brighten the skin.

However, keep in mind that they're usually only meant for use 2-3 times a week since over-exfoliating your skin can do more harm than good.

Avoid that issue by always making sure to moisturize well after use and using them only 2-3 times a week.

Alana Mitchell Brightening & Exfoliating Pumpkin Anti-Aging Masque

My anti-aging masque gently exfoliates away dead skin cells with 10% pumpkin and papaya enzymes and 10% glycolic, lactic, citric, and tartaric acids to give you a brighter, more revived complexion.

Clay

Clay masks naturally detoxify the skin by removing impurities.

They also improve the overall appearance of your complexion by tightening pores.

Since it hydrates the skin without oil, it’s a perfect option for those who are prone to oiliness.

If you're dealing with inflammation, look for a clay mask that boosts clarifying enzymes or sulfur.

Pro Tip: Clay masks often leave residue – which can get a little messy.

Never forcibly rub to remove!

Instead, use a warm washcloth on your skin for a minute or two.

NuCelle Mandelic Glacial Clay Moisturizing Masque

This is a soothing and nourishing treatment masque that contains NuCelle's proprietary Mandelic Marine Complex. You can use it 2-3 times per week for gorgeous results!

Tuel Balance Superfood Mask

Unlike other clay masks, this one goes on buttery-smooth and doesn't dry out the skin. Super foods—kale, spinach, and spirulina—nourish the skin at a cellular level to support the balance of your skin’s microbiome. This team of super antioxidants replenish the skin and help repair free radical damage while kaolin clay absorbs excess oil and detoxifies. Go on, be super.

Sheet

Made popular by Korean beauty and social media, sheet masks are readily available and inexpensive.

They're a great option for all skin types. Yay, versatility!

After removing your sheet mask, apply your favorite moisturizer to seal in the excess serum.

This allows the mask to penetrate the skin deeply, helping you get the most bang for your buck!

PMD Recovery Anti-Aging Collagen Infused Sheet Mask

Intensely hydrate and soothe your skin to minimize the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots with gentle ingredients like hyaluronic acid and olive oil.

"All that's great, Alana, but when do I use a face mask in my routine?"

I'm glad you asked!

For specific instructions, read the directions, but most face masks can be used 1-2 times weekly, either morning or night.

Face Masks for Your Skin Type

Knowing your skin type is crucial for finding the right face mask for you.

You don't want to use a mask made for dry skin if you have oily skin!

If you don't know your skin type, that's OK!

I have a comprehensive blog post about skin types here that will help you figure out what yours is, or you can take the skin type quiz below!

If you got: Dry Skin

Alana Mitchell Clear Collagen Peel-Off Masque

You asked what face mask is best for dry skin, and I've answered! My Clear Collagen Peel-Off Masque contains hydrolyzed collagen, which has water-binding and retaining properties. This helps to hydrate your skin and reduce moisture loss.

Don't forget! CLICK HERE to claim your FREE Clear Collagen Peel-Off Masque!

If you got: Combination Skin

Eminence Organics Balancing Masque Duo Charcoal T-Zone Purifier

Decrease your pore size by up to 20% and reduce your T-zone oil production by up to 42%! This revitalizing and purifying masque uses kaolin clay and charcoal to detoxify your skin, drawing out dirt and bacteria that cause excess sebum production.

If you got: Sensitive Skin

Epicuren Green Tea & Seaweed Soothing Mask

This nourishing mask is designed to purify and soothe your complexion with all-natural, nutrient-rich ingredients like micronized sea clay, seaweed extract, and green tea that promote quick healing. The result is soft, supple skin that glows.

If you got: Normal Skin

Alana Mitchell Brightening & Exfoliating Pumpkin Anti-Aging Masque

One treatment of this masque will remove dead skin cells and debris to reveal your softest, smoothest complexion yet! The invigorating properties of alpha hydroxy acids and pumpkin and papaya enzymes revive dull skin, declutter pores, and diminish aging signs.

If you got: Oily Skin

Image Skincare I Mask Purifying Probiotic Mask

Defy signs of damage, dullness, and fatigue while balancing your skin's natural flora with this green clay detox mask that's packed with yogurt-based probiotics and antioxidant superfruits. Pores are decongested, revealing your softest and smoothest skin texture yet.

The Right Ingredients for You

Now that you know your skin type, I want to help you pick the skincare ingredients that can get you the specific results you want.

Whether your concern is hyperpigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles, acne, uneven texture, or dullness, if you start incorporating the appropriate ingredient(s) into your routine, you WILL see results!

Take the personalized skin care quiz below to discover ingredients that you should be looking for in face masks.

If you got: Retinol

Jan Marini Retinol Plus Mask

Made with a high dose of vitamin A, this anti-aging mask drastically reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while toning your skin for an even and bright complexion. It also reduces signs of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Another great brand to check out is Skin Script, they're anti aging skincare is amazing!

If you got: Salicylic Acid

Image SkinCare Clear Cell Medicated Acne Masque

Achieve clearer, healthier skin and decrease fewer breakouts with this acne-fighting formula. Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and sulfur reduce irritation and inflammation while neutralizing acne-causing bacteria.

If you got: Vitamin C

Dermaquest C Infusion TX Mask

Brimming with vitamin C, alpha lipoic acid, antioxidants, and peptides, this mask has everything you need for a wrinkle-free, smooth complexion. It works to brighten your skin by removing free radicals and damaging environmental age factors.

If you got: Licorice Root

Eminence Organics Bright Skin Masque

This masque combats dull, discolored skin with uneven pigmentation. You should see a decrease in the hue of dark spots of up to 29% and increased brightness by 24%!

If you got: Jojoba Oil

Bioelements Radiance Rescue Eye Mask

White truffle, caffeine, and murumuru butter stimulate your delicate eye area and provide an instant radiance treatment. Elasticity and moisturization are also improved to reduce the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and puffiness.

If you got: Peptides

HydroPeptide Miracle Mask

Extract impurities and minimize the appearance of your pores as purifying clays, peptides, and hyaluronic acid lift, firm, and hydrate your skin. Dead skin cells are dissolved with enzymes for a clear complexion.

If you got: Green Tea

Rhonda Allison Wasabi Mask

This stimulating mask awakens your complexion by increasing blood circulation, fighting DNA damage, and providing antibacterial and antioxidant ingredients to fight dullness.

The Do's and Don'ts of Face Masks

When using a face mask, it’s important to follow best practices to avoid running into a serious facial faux-pas!

Here are a few crucial do’s and don’ts to ensure the best experience.

Do:

• Cleanse your face before application to eliminate dirt, impurities, and oil.
• Apply evenly across your face in a thick or thin layer, according to the directions.
• Be gentle upon removal.
• Pay attention to any negative impacts a mask has on your skin.

Don't:

• Apply a mask on your eyebrows or hairline.
• Touch your eye and mouth area.
• Leave on longer than the instructions say (especially in the case of exfoliating masks).

Final Thoughts

With all that they can do, it's no wonder that the market value for face masks worldwide has been steadily increasing.

I hope you enjoyed taking my skincare quizzes and that they'll help you achieve your skincare goals.

I'm guessing you found a couple of new face masks to try after reading this article!

Perhaps they'll find a permanent spot in your routine?

Thank you so much for reading, and enjoy shopping the blog!

What's your all-time favorite face mask? How often do you use face masks? Comment below and let me know!