The 8 Very Best Facial Masks (2024)

$24

Active ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, bisabolol, shea butter, sea buckthorn | Price point: 2 ounces at $12 per ounce

When picking the best face mask for most people, I factored in all skin types and price. First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair mask fits the bill because it’s hydrating, soothing, and nonirritating, so it shouldn’t cause issues for folks with sensitive skin and it’s priced at about $20. Dermatologist Dr. Azadeh Shirazi says the colloidal oatmeal and bisabolol calm irritation and reduce inflammation, while the shea butter locks in moisture; it’s also packed with antioxidants to reduce signs of aging. I recently tried it out when my skin was left dehydrated after a week of overexfoliating. I had dry patches on my cheeks even after taking a break from actives and using only moisturizer. The mask has a creamy but not too thick consistency and little flecks of oatmeal in it. I left it on for ten minutes, and after I rinsed it off, my skin felt smooth and plump without looking greasy. Because it is pretty moisturizing, the only skin types I’d say it might not work with are clogged or oily skin, which we have more options for below.

$95

Active ingredients: Black-tea complex (black-tea ferment, black-tea extract, blackberry-leaf extract, lychee-seed extract), peptides, hyaluronic acid | Price point: 3.3 ounces at $29 per ounce

Dry and dehydrated skin can benefit the most from face masks because they provide an intense moisture boost and lock in hydration, says dermatologist Dr. Lauren Penzi. Look out for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, peptides, and squalene.Dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp and cosmetic chemist Valerie George both like Fresh’s Black Tea Peptide Overnight Mask because it boosts moisture with hyaluronic acid and improves skin elasticity with its black-tea complex. It is on the pricier side, but you’re getting the benefits of hydrating and lifting with this. Plus, it works as an overnight mask, so you don’t have to worry about washing it off before bed.

$32

Active ingredients: Probiotic-derived complex (lactobacillus ferment lysate and trehalose), squalane, niacinamide, saururus chinensis extract | Price point: 2.3 ounces at $14 per ounce

Laneige makes a deeply hydrating overnight mask for less than half the price as the Fresh mask above. Shirazi says the combination of squalane, niacinamide, and probiotic complex make it brightening and good for your skin barrier. Like the Fresh mask, this can be used as the last step in a nighttime skin-care routine to lock in moisture throughout the night.

$56

Active ingredients: Salicylic acid, tea-tree-leaf oil, larch arabinogalactan, sage extract, cucumber extract, oat-kernel extract, bisabolol | Price point: 1.7 ounces at $33 per ounce

The right face mask can calm an active breakout and keep it from spreading. Aesthetician Kristin Gunn says clay or charcoal masks are best for oily and acne-prone skin because they can absorb excess oil, kill bacteria, minimize pore size, and reduce inflammation. Her favorite is Revision’s Pore Purifying Clay Mask because it does all of the above. The salicylic acid and larch arabinogalactan gently exfoliate the skin while cleansing pores, and the tea-tree, sage, cucumber, and oat-kernel extracts soothe irritation.

$14

Active ingredients: Salicylic acid, kaolin clay, charcoal powder, 4-t-butylcyclohexanol | Price point: 1 ounce at $14 per ounce

The Ordinary, known for its simple yet effective formulas, has a clarifying mask for less than half the price of the Revision. According to Penzi, the salicylic acid, charcoal, and coal work together to remove buildup and dead skin cells, resulting in clearer skin. She adds that it’s an excellent spot treatment for both whiteheads and blackheads.

$47

Active ingredients: Kaolin clay, aloe vera, bentonite clay | Price point: 4.2 ounces at $11 per ounce

If excess oil and shine is your concern but you’re not dealing with acne, a simple clay mask (sans salicylic acid) can help absorb moisture and oil. Both Camp and dermatologist Dr. Miriam Hanson like Kiehl’s clay mask because it keeps excess oil at bay with kaolin and bentonite clays. Plus, the aloe vera helps add moisture and soothe skin so you shouldn’t feel too dry after using it.

$80

Active ingredients: Glycolic acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, citric acid, salicylic acid, chickpea flour | Price point: 1.69 ounces at $47 per ounce

Drunk Elephant’s Babyfacial mask combines AHAs like glycolic, lactic, and citric acids with salicylic acid (more on what AHAs and BHAs do here) to exfoliate dead skin cells and unclog pores. It’s also packed with antioxidants and soothing ingredients to boost collagen and improve skin texture. Penzi and Shirazi both say it helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time.

$39

Active ingredients: Vitamin C, arbutin, bearberry extract, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid | Price point: 1.7 ounces at $23 per ounce

Vitamin C was by far the No. 1 ingredient our experts mentioned for tackling dark spots. It’s a powerful antioxidant that protects skin from free radicals while brightening. This Paula’s Choice mask combines vitamin C with other brightening ingredients, arbutin and bearberry extract, to help even out skin tone. Shirazi says it’s effective for promoting cell turnover to fade hyperpigmentation, too.