The Best Skin Masks to Try This Year

It’s 2021, and many of us are trying to really step up our skincare routines. It’s important to put your best face forward, so this makes sense.

Between all of the different products you can buy, it can be hard to decide which ones you want to try first. Aside from your basic face wash and moisturizer, there are all sorts of different serums, scrubs, toners, and best of all, masks.

But which mask is the right mask for you? Here’s a guide to finding the #1 skin masks for your needs.

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What are the Different Kinds of Skin Masks?

With new skincare technology constantly coming out as we make more scientific discoveries about what works for our skin, there are a few different kinds of masks that you can choose from. Long gone are the days of just a conventional clay mask (even though those have their place in skincare). Here are some different face mask options on the market.

Sheet Masks

Sheet masks are actually sheets of fabric that have been cut to a face shape, with holes for your eyes and nose. They come loaded with some type of serum that can fix a myriad of specific skin issues.

Sheet masks are special in that the fabric stays on your face for usually about 20 minutes, allowing your skin to really soak up the nutrients of the serum in it. This type of mask is great because there are sheet masks that can work for all different skin types.

Sleep Masks

Sleep masks are usually creams that you apply all over your face and then let them work their magic while you sleep. These ones stay on longer than any other type of mask, so you have a maximum amount of time to soak up the benefits of the ingredients. All you have to do is wash it off with water in the morning, then follow up with whatever your morning skincare routine is.

Clay and Charcoal Masks

These masks are thicker and made from naturally cleansing ingredients like charcoal and clay. Clay has a long history of being used to clarify and purify skin by bringing the oil and sebum from deep within your pores, providing a deep clean to your face. Charcoal has similar cleansing properties.

Which Mask is Right for You?

Before you can pick the perfect skin mask, you have to take into account what your skin needs. First, determine your skin type, and what its weaknesses are. This can make all the difference in what kind of face mask is going to do it for you.

For Oily, Acne-Prone Skin

If you feel like your face is constantly shiny and you easily break out, then you want to find something that can help balance that oil out and keep your pores from clogging. You have to be on the lookout for masks that are specifically non-comedogenic, since some of the more hydrating masks may include these ingredients. Clay and charcoal masks can be really great for these skin types since they provide a deep clean.

For Dry, Dull Skin

If you have the opposite problem there are still masks for you. For those of us who suffer from dry, flaky, and irritated skin, masks can offer a great solution.

To combat dryness and irritation, look for masks that contain soothing and hydrating ingredients like glycerin, natural botanical oils, and hyaluronic acid. Sheet masks can be particularly helpful for this purpose.

If you have dull skin that just looks meh, try a brightening mask with vitamin C. The benefits of hyaluronic acid and vitamin C are too good to pass up for people with dry skin, so be sure to seek out these ingredients when purchasing skin care products.