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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.
Clé de Peau Beauté Precious Gold Vitality Mask: THE BEST FOR UTTER DECADENCE
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.
Caudalie’s Instant Detox mask: THE BEST FOR A VIRAL SENSATION
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).
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Garnier Moisture Bomb SHeet mask: THE BEST FOR A BARGAIN
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.
Epara’s Intense Hydrating Mask: THE BEST FOR A THIRST TRAP
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.
Sweaty Faace OIly mask: THE BEST FOR FITNESS FANATICS
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.
AntipoDES' Aura Manuka Honey Mask: THE BEST FOR SKIN THAT IS ANNOYED FOR SOME REASON
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.
Bonum Pellis Clay Mask: THE BEST FOR PROBLEMATIC PORES
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.
Irene Forte Pistachio Face Mask: THE BEST FOR DEFYING THE SIGNS OF AGING
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.
Patchology Restoring Night Cloudmasque™: THE BEST FOR THE DEAD OF NIGHT
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.
Wildsmith Skin Double Clay Refining Mask: THE BEST FOR THE THRILL OF THE NEW
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 – it hasn’t even launched yet. But we’re told to expect a ‘facial in a jar’, so that’s exciting.