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We don’t need to tell you that face masks have been a mainstay of the past year. But although we’re grateful for the impact they have on reducing the transmission of coronavirus, we’re also embittered by them. This is because they have displaced the other type of face masks – the ones that are actually good for your skin and don’t make you fearful of ‘maskfishing’ – in common parlance, a state of affairs that we cannot condone. So, to make amends, we’ve gathered the best face masks for all skin types and concerns. Your skin will be forever indebted to us.
BEST FOR A FACIAL RENOVATION
DR. DAVID JACK RED FACIAL PEEL
Dr. David Jack Red Face Peels £111
Anyone who has booked in to see Dr. David Jack in his Harley Street clinic will be aware of his anti-ageing powers. Of course, those treatments don’t come cheap. For those seeking a less expensive, but deeply replenishing, facial fix, the UK’s leading skin specialist has formulated at-home peel treatments to suit all skin concerns. The ‘Red’ one is perfect for oily/acne-prone folk, containing hard-working Retinol, Salicylic acid and Lactic acid to help reduce oil production and balance the skin microbiome bacteria.
BEST FOR THE TIME POOR
Tolpa hydrativ hyaluronic moisturising mask
Tolpa hydrativ hyaluronic moisturising mask, £12.99, available at Llloyds Pharmacy
If the 15-20 minutes in the morning slash evening face slathering before washing off is simply a step in the regimen too far, enter cult new label to know: Tolpa. Their ultra-hydrating and fatigue-busting hyaluronic moisturising mask is best used at night, so just pop on twice a week in place of your usual moisturiser. Easy.
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THE BEST FOR UTTER DECADENCE
Clé de Peau Beauté Precious Gold Vitality Mask
CLÉ DE PEAU BEAUTÉ PRECIOUS GOLD VITALITY MASK, £250 AT CULT BEAUTY
What seems like satire but actually isn’t? The Clé de Peau Beauté Precious Gold Vitality Mask – mercifully, might we add, because it’s wonderful. And the 24K gold antioxidant infusion within it isn’t just for pomp. Along with the gardenia, ginseng and wild rose extracts, it tackles the skin sagging and lack of definition associated with aging. A fine investment.
THE BEST FOR A VIRAL SENSATION
Caudalie’s Instant Detox mask
CAUDALIE INSTANT DETOX MASK, £22 AT COLLEN & CLARE
A lot of daft things go viral on TikTok, but Caudalie’s Instant Detox mask isn’t one of them – it’s not remotely absurd, only excellent. Formulated to decongest the skin with pink clay and brighten it with fruit enzymes, it’s perfect for those of us who live in polluted cities (and everyone else for that matter).
THE BEST FOR A BARGAIN
Garnier Moisture Bomb SHeet mask
GARNIER MOISTURE BOMB POMEGRANATE HYDRATING FACE SHEET MASK, £2.99 AT LOOK FANTASTIC
Sometimes you just want a frolic with a face mask. Yes, you may well be having these frolics on a weekly basis, but they do not constitute being in a committed relationship with one (or so you tell yourself). Anyway, this is exactly what sheet masks are for. And the Moisture Bomb range by Garnier is also biodegradable.
THE BEST FOR A THIRST TRAP
Epara’s Intense Hydrating Mask
EPARA INTENSE HYDRATING MASK, £105
Could regular use of Epara’s Intense Hydrating Mask stop your incessant thirst traps? Probably not. In fact your skin will look so lovely it will only encourage you. Blame its key ingredients: plankton extract, marula oil and allantoin.
THE BEST FOR FITNESS FANATICS
Sweaty Faace OIly mask
Whether your face feels sweaty because of exercise or anxiety – or simply having an oily skin type – there is a solution: Sweaty Faace. Containing argan oil for light moisturisation and vitamin c for the exile of inflammation, it’s a delight. And Faace donate sanitary products to someone affected by period poverty with every mask sold.
THE BEST FOR SKIN THAT IS ANNOYED FOR SOME REASON
AntipoDES' Aura Manuka Honey Mask
ANTIPODES MANUKA HONEY FACE MASK, £27
We all get annoyed for some reason, but your skin can remove itself from this narrative if it’s regularly treated with the Aura Manuka Honey Mask by Antipodes. Certified vegetarian by the UK Vegetarian Society, it soothes skin and – predictably – smells excellent.
THE BEST FOR PROBLEMATIC PORES
Bonum Pellis Clay Mask
The Bonum Pellis Clay Mask takes no prisoners when it comes to pores. While its activated charcoal exiles the gross stuff, the astringent witch hazel shrinks them to the point of emasculation. If that sounds a bit mean, there’s also hyaluronic acid to smooth everything over.
THE BEST FOR DEFYING THE SIGNS OF AGING
Irene Forte Pistachio Face Mask:
IRENE FORTE PISTACHIO FACE MASK, £109
Often we are just defiant for the sake of it, but sometimes it’s for a worthwhile cause – skin aging, for example. A good weapon in this fight is the Irene Forte Pistachio Face Mask. It’s quintuple award-winning, so make what you will of that.
THE BEST FOR THE DEAD OF NIGHT
Patchology Restoring Night Cloudmasque™
PATCHOLOGY RESTORING NIGHT CLOUDMASQUE™, £35
‘The dead of night’ usually refers to the time in which we sleep, but maybe there would be no harm in applying the Patchology Restoring Night Cloudmasque™ during a nocturnal bender and hoping for the best. It contains retinol and peptides alongside hyaluronic acid, so it’s bound to do something relatively spectacular no matter what antics you’re embroiled in once it’s on.
THE BEST FOR THE THRILL OF THE NEW
Wildsmith Skin Double Clay Refining Mask
WILDSMITH SKIN Double Clay Refining Mask with Capsicum and Advanced Hyaluronic Acid, £65.00
The Wildsmith Skin Double Clay Refining Mask with Capiscum and Advanced Hyaluronic Acid is our recommendation if you want to try a face mask that’s as new to everyone else as it is to you. But we’re told to expect a ‘facial in a jar’, so that’s exciting.
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Heather Gwyther | 04.09.2020
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