We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Beauty Skincare The 12 Best Face Masks, Tested & Reviewed These masks can smooth skin texture, lighten dark spots, and effectively clean out pores. By Lauren Harano Lauren Harano Lauren has been a contributing writer for InStyle since August 2022 where she covers all things beauty—from the best lip glosses to hair care essentials. InStyle's editorial guidelines Updated on March 18, 2024 @ 11:28AM In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Your Questions, Answered Why Shop With Us InStyle / Jaclyn Mastropasqua Over the years, I’ve struggled with my skin. While serums, creams, hydrating toners, and cleansers have played a big role in my skincare journey, face masks have ultimately made the most noticeable impact on my complexion. Although it has taken time for me to find the right face masks that effectively cater to my needs, I can confidently say that my hard work has paid off — my skin is the healthiest it has ever been, and it's all thanks to this extra self-care step. Luckily, I’m not the only one who can change their skin with the help of face masks. With options specifically developed for different skin types, concerns, and goals, the search for The One can be overwhelming, which is why we recruited an army of InStyle editors to test 22 of the best-selling face masks out there for two weeks. We analyzed each face mask for how easy it was to incorporate into our skincare routine, how nice (or not!) it felt on our skin, and most importantly, whether our skin visibly improved immediately after each use, as well as at the end of the two-week test. The 12 face masks on this list truly wowed us — and we haven't looked back since. How to Pick a Face Mask “Face masks can range in use from hydrating to purifying, and can include a wide variety of ingredients aimed at unique skin problems,” explains plastic surgery physician assistant Courtney Brown. “Those with sensitive skin or rosacea will want to pick a mask that has minimal active ingredients because these may cause further irritation and dryness. Masks that include aloe, chamomile, or squalene are more suitable for this skin type. However, individuals with oily, acne-prone skin will benefit from the exfoliating properties of salicylic acid and may want a more aggressive face mask to unclog pores and remove excess bacteria on the skin," adds Brown. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Rosen Skincare Smooth Jelly Mask at Rosenskincare.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Budget: The Inkey List Madecassoside Mask at Theinkeylist.com ($12) Jump to Review Best Splurge: Sisley Paris Black Rose Cream Mask at Nordstrom ($200) Jump to Review Best Brightening: Tatcha Violet-C Radiance Mask at Amazon ($70) Jump to Review Best Exfoliating: Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask at Amazon ($60) Jump to Review Best Hydrating: Glossier Moisturizing Moon Mask at Glossier.com ($24) Jump to Review Best Calming: Kiehl's Calendula Petal-Infused Calming Mask at Sephora ($47) Jump to Review Best for Sensitive Skin: Peach Slices Snail Rescue Intensive Wash-Off Jelly Mask at Amazon ($17) Jump to Review Best for Dull Skin: Then I Met You Rosé Resurfacing Facial Mask at Amazon ($56) Jump to Review Best for Large Pores: Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Exfoliating Treatment at Amazon ($78) Jump to Review Best Overall Rosen Skincare Smooth Jelly Mask Target View On Rosenskincare.com View On Target $18 View On Beautylish.com Our Ratings Application 5/5 Feel 5/5 Efficacy 5/5 Appearance 5/5 What We Love This affordable mask delivers incredible results, brightening skin and evening texture after just one use. What We Don’t Love It’s not ideal for people with sensitive skin since it deeply exfoliates. If you’re looking for a face mask that does it all, you’re in luck: Rosen Skincare Smooth Jelly Mask goes above and beyond, addressing a handful of skincare concerns at once. Thanks to two powerhouse ingredients – lactic acid and licorice root extract – this mask works to fade dark spots and even out skin texture. On top of that, it deeply exfoliates, sloughing away dead skin cells while also cleaning out pores. The results? Bright, glowing skin that looks and feels smoother. We were quite surprised by the results we saw after our very first use. Our skin texture and overall brightness improved significantly. Plus, after using the mask for two weeks, some of our dark spots began to fade. Our skin looks radiant and feels softer, and the fact that it helps with acne scarring and hyperpigmentation is the cherry on top.Active Ingredients: Lactic acid, licorice root extract, cucumber extract, passionfruit seed | Key Benefits: Exfoliates, resurfaces, and brightens | Size: 2.2 oz Best Budget The Inkey List Madecassoside Mask The Inkey List View On Theinkeylist.com $12 Our Ratings Application 5/5 Feel 5/5 Efficacy 5/5 Appearance 5/5 What We Love This mask effectively hydrates and calms skin within 10 minutes. What We Don’t Love It’s made with menthol, which can irritate sensitive skin. If there’s one skincare brand we can’t get enough of, it’s The Inkey List. This UK-based line features a slew of incredibly effective products, all for affordable prices. One of our favorite items from the collection happens to be the Madecassoside Mask. This hydrating mask cools the skin on contact, instantly reducing redness and inflammation. This is thanks to the key ingredient: Madecassoside – a component found within Centella Asiatica (a medicinal plant), which helps to reduce inflammation and redness, as well as hydrate and plump skin. This mask left our skin feeling smooth, refreshed, and soft. It has a nice, instant cooling effect that is almost minty, and using this mask regularly helped our skin tolerate some of the stronger skincare ingredients, like retinoids and acids, we layer on after. At the end of our test, our skin looked hydrated, healthy, and more even-toned. Pro tip: If your skin needs some extra hydration, keep this mask on for 30 minutes (as opposed to the recommended time of 10 minutes). When used as a leave-on treatment, it helps restore the skin’s barrier and lock in moisture. Active Ingredients: Madecassoside, sunflower seed oil, ginger root extract | Key Benefits: Hydrates and calms | Size: 1.7 oz InStyle / Britney Johnson InStyle / Britney Johnson InStyle / Britney Johnson Best Splurge Sisley Paris Black Rose Cream Mask Sisley Paris View On Nordstrom $200 View On Sisley-paris.com View On Neiman Marcus $200 Our Ratings Application 5/5 Feel 4.5/5 Efficacy 4.5/5 Appearance 5/5 What We Love This mask deeply hydrates skin and provides long-lasting plumping effects. What We Don’t Love It’s not ideal for acne-prone skin. When it comes to splurging, there’s one brand we will gladly give our money to: Sisley Paris. The luxe beauty line features hair care, makeup, and skincare musts, but their masks really shine. And though it’s difficult to choose just one, the Black Rose Cream Mask just might be our favorite. This anti-aging formula is made with black rose (which smooths skin), padina pavonica (which refreshes and replenishes the complexion), and shea butter (which nourishes and soothes the skin’s barrier). What makes this product stand out is its ability to effectively diminish the signs of tired skin — it quickly revitalizes complexions, leaving skin glowy, dewy, and luminous. We consider this mask to be a hydrating hero, given the noticeable difference in our skin after each use: Softer, smoother, and definitely bouncier and more plump. Because the mask hydrates skin so deeply, it ultimately makes it more supple and helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, which means you’ll be able to enjoy long-lasting results. However, it’s worth noting that if you have acne-prone skin this mask might not be the best fit. Active Ingredients: Black rose, padina pavonica, shea butter | Key Benefits: Plumps, hydrates, and brightens | Size: 2 oz InStyle / Alyssa Kingham InStyle / Alyssa Kingham InStyle / Alyssa Kingham Best Brightening Tatcha Violet-C Radiance Mask Sephora View On Amazon $70 View On Sephora $70 View On Tatcha.com Our Ratings Application 4.5/5 Feel 5/5 Efficacy 4/5 Appearance 5/5 What We Love This mask incorporates two kinds of vitamin C – one that instantly brightens skin, and another that evens out skin tone over time. What We Don’t Love It’s recommended to use a generous amount of this mask, which means it could run out quickly. If you want to glow, look no further than Tatcha Violet-C Radiance Mask. This bestselling product is safe for all skin types, and works to address uneven texture, lighten dark spots, and plump fine lines and wrinkles. Made with two kinds of vitamin C – one that’s water-soluble and instantly sinks into skin to add luminosity, and another that’s oil-soluble and stays in skin longer to provide ample protection against UV damage – this mask works hard to visibly brighten skin both immediately and in the long term. Face masks with high concentrations of active ingredients, like vitamin C, tend to burn or at least have a tingling effect on our sensitive skin, but this mask offered an amazing balance between hydrating and active ingredients. The texture is thick and creamy, but it didn't burn or make our skin tingle whatsoever. Aside from brightening and hydrating skin, the formula also targets uneven texture, smoothing the complexion over time. Major bonus: The light purple hue means that there's no better mask to take selfies in. Active Ingredients: Japanese beautyberry, fruit extracts | Key Benefits: Brightens and plumps | Size: 1.7 oz Best Exfoliating Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask Sephora View On Amazon $60 View On Ulta $60 View On Walmart $28 Our Ratings Application 4.5/5 Feel 4/5 Efficacy 4/5 Appearance 4.5/5 What We Love This mask sloughs away dead skin cells, revealing a clearer and more youthful complexion. What We Don’t Love Because of the aluminum oxide crystals, this mask can be hard to wash off. Brighter, healthier skin begins with exfoliation. If you’re looking to refresh dull skin, Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask is just the thing you need. It’s made with pumpkin enzyme, which smooths the skin's surface, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), which deeply exfoliate, and aluminum oxide crystals, which effectively polish the skin and cleans out pores, resulting in skin that felt really clean and refreshed every time we used the mask. What makes this mask even better (aside from its ability to make your face glow), is that the mildly gritty consistency isn't too harsh on skin, and it doesn't require any rubbing to still get the full brightening benefits. Active Ingredients: Pumpkin enzyme, alpha hydroxy acids, aluminum oxide crystals | Key Benefits: Brightens, exfoliates, and clarifies | Size: 5 oz InStyle / Mandy Wood InStyle / Mandy Wood InStyle / Mandy Wood InStyle / Mandy Wood Best Hydrating Glossier Moisturizing Moon Mask Glossier View On Glossier.com $24 Our Ratings Application 4/5 Feel 5/5 Efficacy 4/5 Appearance 4/5 What We Love This nourishing mask helps smooth the appearance of fine lines over time. What We Don’t Love It’s made with silicones. If you’re on the hunt for a face mask that will revitalize skin and provide it with dewy hydration, look no further than Glossier’s top-rated Moisturizing Moon Mask. This creamy mask effectively nourishes skin from deep within, providing complexions with a supple glow that lasts long after the product is washed off. Made with sweet almond oil, plant-based squalane, and hyaluronic acid, this mask works overtime to plump skin and smooth the appearance of fine lines. Plus, it’s formulated with licorice root, which lightens dark spots and evens out skin tone. As an added bonus, honey and aloe vera can also be found in this supercharged mask to clean out pores and provide an extra boost of long-lasting hydration. We got the best results when we used it as an overnight mask (vs washing it off after 20 minutes). Active Ingredients: Shea butter, plant-derived squalane, sweet almond and soybean oils, licorice root, hyaluronic acid | Key Benefits: Hydrates, plumps, and brightens | Size: 3 oz InStyle / Chantia Murphy InStyle / Chantia Murphy Best Calming Kiehl's Calendula Petal-Infused Calming Mask Kiehl's View On Sephora $47 View On Ulta $47 View On Kiehls.com $47 Our Ratings Application 5/5 Feel 4.5/5 Efficacy 4/5 Appearance 5/5 What We Love This mask is made with handpicked calendula flower petals, which are known to calm and soothe the skin. What We Don’t Love It can make skin tingle, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but can feel uncomfortable to some. Instantly soothe skin with the help of this Kiehl’s favorite. Made with handpicked calendula flower petals and aloe vera, this hydrating mask works to refresh and renew skin in no time. Just apply the gel-like formula to skin, leave it on for five minutes, and rinse it off with warm water. You’ll notice that your skin feels more supple, soft, and nourished. To start, this mask felt great on our skin as we massaged it all over our face, and after rinsing it off, our skin appeared completely renewed. Aside from our newfound glow, our skin felt hydrated and nourished on a deeper level, and by the look of our healthy, smooth complexion, the benefits weren't just in our heads. Active Ingredients: Calendula extract, Aloe vera | Key Benefits: Hydrates, calms, and softens | Size: 3.4 oz. InStyle / Anna Knief InStyle / Anna Knief Best for Sensitive Skin Peach Slices Snail Rescue Intensive Wash-Off Jelly Mask Ulta View On Amazon $17 View On Ulta $17 View On Peachandlily.com Our Ratings Application 4/5 Feel 5/5 Efficacy 5/5 Appearance 3/5 What We Love Made with 95 percent snail mucin, this mask deeply hydrates the skin. What We Don’t Love Because this mask is made with snail mucin, it’s not vegan. If there’s one skincare ingredient we can’t get enough of, it’s snail mucin — especially fans of Korean beauty products. Complete with hydrating, brightening, anti-aging, and even wound-healing benefits, this natural ingredient has got it all. In terms of products that harness the power of this ingredient, there’s one we hold dear: Peach Slices Snail Rescue Intensive Wash-Off Mask. This best-selling mask addresses a slew of skin concerns at once, including clearing skin, targeting dark spots, providing deep hydration, and minimizing pores. Plus, it gently exfoliates, leaving your complexion brighter and smoother than before. We were curious how a product made of 95 percent snail slime would feel on our faces, and were surprised with its lightweight, cooling effect for a totally refreshing experience. Over the 15-minute wear time, the mask tightens slightly as it dries, but it didn't make our face itch or uncomfortable. Plus, what really makes this mask stand out is that it’s completely clean and free from sulfates, fragrances, alcohol, formaldehyde, dyes, colorants, parabens, mineral oils, and silicones. Active Ingredients: Snail secretion filtrate, licorice root extract, hyaluronic acid | Key Benefits: Brightens, hydrates, calms, and minimizes pores | Size: 3.4 oz InStyle / Maria Emmighausen InStyle / Maria Emmighausen Best for Dull Skin Then I Met You Rosé Resurfacing Facial Mask Soko Glam View On Amazon $56 View On Thenimetyou.com $56 View On Sokoglam.com $56 Our Ratings Application 4.5/5 Feel 5/5 Efficacy 4/5 Appearance 3.5/5 What We Love This mask is made with salicylic acid, which works to clean out pores and gently exfoliate skin. What We Don’t Love Because this is an acid treatment, it can make skin red after use. Give your skin the pick-me-up it needs with this resurfacing face mask. Made with both glycolic and lactic acids, the formula instantly exfoliates the skin, ridding it of dead skin cells. On top of that, it’s formulated with salicylic acid, which works to clean out congested pores and make skin brighter. But, it doesn’t stop there: This product also incorporates resveratrol into its ingredient list (a plant compound that acts as an antioxidant), which helps strengthen and hydrate the skin barrier while also working to prevent premature aging. Waking up and looking in the mirror the morning after we used this mask is all the evidence we needed about this formula's efficacy. Our skin had a pretty glow and felt very soft, which is especially notable since we're prone to dry, itchy skin, but after using this mask, our skin looked brighter and more radiant. But even better, our skin felt moisturized and soft; using this makes us feel like we're doing something good for my skin. Active Ingredients: Glycerin, lactic acid, sugarcane extract, glycolic acid, salicylic acid | Key Benefits: Brightens, exfoliates, and softens | Size: 1.7 oz InStyle / Jessica Fleming InStyle / Jessica Fleming Best for Large Pores Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Exfoliating Treatment Sephora View On Amazon $78 View On Nordstrom $24 View On QVC $179 What We Love This mask is safe for all skin types. What We Don’t Love It can sting when first applied. Large pores don’t stand a chance against this Kate Somerville mask. Made with lactic and salicylic acid, as well as an innovative blend of fruit enzymes, this mask effectively cleans out clogged pores after just one use. Here’s the scoop: Papaya, pineapple, and pumpkin enzymes work together to gently yet efficiently exfoliate the skin without overdrying it, while lactic and salicylic acids provide chemical exfoliation to lift and remove dead skin cells. Plus, the inclusion of aloe vera, honey, and vitamin E help to soothe, smooth and hydrate skin. In short: This mask goes above and beyond to keep our skin supple, not stripped, while still delivering potent actives to help fade our dark spots, old acne scars, and smoothing out rough patches or bumpy texture. The exfoliating formula was very effective at removing dead skin cells and grime from our skin, revealing a healthy afterglow. Although it did tingle as soon as it touched our skin, we washed it off within 45 seconds (it recommends a full one to two minutes) and we could feel the dead skin wash off with it. Active Ingredients: Papaya, pineapple, and pumpkin enzymes, lactic and salicylic acid, aloe vera | Key Benefits: Exfoliates, shrinks pores, and brightens | Size: 2 oz Best Multitasking Kora Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask Sephora View On Sephora $73 View On Koraorganics.com $18 Our Ratings Application 4/5 Feel 4/5 Efficacy 5/5 Appearance 5/5 What We Love This mask cleans out pores, evens skin texture, lightens hyperpigmentation, and minimizes dullness. What We Don’t Love It can be difficult to wash off. If you’re looking for a one-and-done face mask, we have just the thing for you: Kora Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask is all you need to address a number of skin concerns at once. Made with turmeric extract to lighten hyperpigmentation and promote bright, glowing skin, it evens out skin tone both instantly and over time. Plus, it’s made with gritty mineral powder, which deeply exfoliates the skin and cleans out pores. As for the kicker, this mask is also formulated with aspen bark, a naturally occurring BHA that’s rich in salicylates and helps to visibly refine the skin’s texture. Thanks to these strategic ingredients, this mask delivers on its promises, working quickly to make our skin brighter, smoother, and healthier. In fact, our skin had a very natural glow that lasted for days. Ultimately, this mask is ideal for anyone who wants to get their skin in good shape before an event. It exfoliates, clarifies, and smooths skin, making it healthier and more luminous. You may need more than just a splash of water to rinse this off, though, so make sure to keep a washcloth on hand to remove every last trace of it before continuing on with the rest of your skincare routine. Active Ingredients: Turmeric extract, mineral powder, Aspen bark | Key Benefits: Brightens, exfoliates, and clarifies | Size: 3.4 oz InStyle / Lauren Harano InStyle / Lauren Harano Best Overnight Farmacy 10% Niacinamide Night Mask Sephora View On Sephora $26 View On Kohls.com $25 View On Farmacybeauty.com Our Ratings Application 5/5 Feel 5/5 Efficacy 4.5/5 Appearance 5/5 What We Love This vegan and cruelty-free mask works to minimize pores and plump skin. What We Don’t Love This mask can sometimes make sensitive skin break out. Make the most of your beauty sleep with the help of an overnight mask. This Farmacy favorite works to improve skin texture, minimize pores, and strengthen and support the skin’s moisture barrier. Made with 10 percent niacinamide, the mask first and foremost evens out skin texture and balances oil, but it’s also formulated with up-cycled blueberry seed oil, which renews and restores skin, making it brighter and smoother. Even better, this mask provides deep hydration, ultimately plumping skin. After using this mask a few times, we noticed that our pores looked smaller, and our skin overall appeared smoother. But what we truly loved the most was the way it softened some of the fine lines under and around our eyes. Our skin felt majorly hydrated, giving us a more youthful appearance. Overall, our skin looks more supple and hydrated. We used it overnight, but if you wanted to give your complexion a boost of hydration before an event, simply put this mask on for 15 to 30 minutes and then wash it off. You’ll still get all the great benefits, even if you don’t leave it on overnight. Active Ingredients: Niacinamide, panthenol, beta-glucan, blueberry seed oil | Key Benefits: Hydrates, softens, and brightens | Size: 1.7 oz InStyle / Lauren Harano InStyle / Lauren Harano InStyle / Lauren Harano Your Questions, Answered Why should you use a face mask? Face masks offer a wide variety of benefits. “They can be a form of cleansing (exfoliation) or relaxation rituals, or used for moisturizing purposes as well offering healing power for a variety of skin issues from sun damage to inflammatory skin conditions,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Vladyslava Doktor. “Face masks can be an excellent way to quickly hydrate and brighten your overall complexion or even target specific skin concerns such as acne,” adds Brown. “If you have dry, sensitive skin and need a boost in moisture, I recommend applying a gentle face mask one to three times a week for proper nourishment. However, if your goal is to take care of an acne flare or clogged pores, then use a clarifying mask with salicylic or glycolic acid for overall skin resurfacing once a week.” Essentially, face masks can treat and address different skin concerns. How often should you use a face mask? How often you use a face mask depends on the results you are trying to achieve. “Masks can definitely be used daily or just a few times a week,” explains Dr. Doktor. “For instance, traditional clay masks can be used daily, but exfoliating masks should be used a few times a week. They can strip the top layer of the skin and provide a constant source of irritation if applied daily.” Be sure you are also paying attention to the manufacturer’s instructions for how often you should use a specific face mask so you don’t unintentionally harm your skin. In addition to the results you are trying to achieve, it’s also important to take your skin type into consideration. “Typically, I always recommend [using a face mask] one to two times weekly for upkeep, however for some, I might recommend using one on an as-needed basis,” says master esthetician and skincare founder, Sarah Akram. “If your lifestyle allows it and you’re able to accumulate a range of different face masks bespoke to you — you can mask every single night or multiple times a week.” Just throw on your comfy bathrobe and experiment at home to figure out what works best. Do face masks expire? Yes, face masks expire. “This depends on whether they have any preservatives or are made from fresh ingredients,” says Dr. Doktor. (Also, it’s worth noting that most beauty products expire – including makeup and perfume – so be sure you check how long the product can last. You can find this information on the product’s packaging or online.) Do you apply face masks before or after your skincare routine? “Typically, you apply a face mask before the skincare routine if used for cleansing or exfoliative purposes,” says Dr. Doktor. “Masks are meant to be washed off after a period of time and then followed by application of moisturizer.” However, if you are using an overnight mask, you would apply this mask either on top of your moisturizer or on cleansed skin. You would then leave it on overnight and wash it off in the morning. Why Shop With Us Lauren Harano has over seven years of experience in the beauty industry, previously holding editorial positions at Cosmopolitan, Seventeen, Popsugar, and NBCUniversal. For this article, Lauren interviewed four skin experts: Aesthetician at Modrn Sanctuary Julia Gialanella; plastic surgery physician assistant Courtney Brown; founding dermatologist of Skin Center Boston Dr. Vladyslava Doktor; and master esthetician and Sarah Akram, founder of the eponymous skincare brand.