Best Face Masks for Acne

If you’re in a pinch and need a quick fix, a face mask can be an excellent way to give your skin some TLC and address the pesky zits that are popping up on your face right before an important event.

Contrary to popular belief, face masks don’t just hydrate and refresh the skin but, depending on the formula, they can also exfoliate, brighten, and soothe your skin, as well as reduce the appearance of blemishes.

In short, face masks are kind of a big deal, and if you don’t already have one in your beauty repertoire, it’s time to jump on the bandwagon.

When it comes to face masks, there are a ton of different formulas and ingredients to choose from, which can be both good and bad.

On one hand, it’s great to have options, but it can also be overwhelming trying to figure out which products will work best for your particular skin type and concerns.

So, to simplify your shopping, we’ve rounded up the ten best face masks for every skin type and kind of acne.

From soothing gel formulas for reactive, sensitive skin to muddy clay masks that serve oily complexions best, this list has something for everyone.

How I Reviewed Each Product?

When looking for a product that will help clear your acne, you have to take into consideration these few things:

• Your skin type.
• Your skin concern.
• The ingredients inside the product.

Once you bring it down to these crucial details, you will have a much easier time finding a face mask that will actually work for you.

Therefore, in order to make this list, I tested and picked products based on ingredients, efficacy, and safety.

I also read reviews from customers with various skin types and skin concerns across multiple websites, mainly because I was curious whether the products I chose had any potential side effects.

Lastly, and based on the ingredients in each product, I determined what skin type and skin concerns would benefit from it the most.

And with all that in mind, here are the ten best face masks for acne:

Best Face Mask For Fungal Acne Summary

Best	Face Mask
Overall	Peter Thomas Roth – Therapeutic Sulfur Acne Mask
On a Budget (for the money)	The INKEY List – Kaolin Mask
For Acne Scars	CLEARSTEM – PREGAME Face Mask
For Fungal Acne	ClarityRX – Soothing Cucumber Mask
For Oily Skin and Acne	PCA Skin – Revitalizing Mask
Niacinamide Face Mask	Farmacy – 10% Niacinamide Night Mask
For Blackheads	Skinfood – Egg White Pore Mask
Salicylic Acid Face Mask	The Ordinary – Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
Charcoal Face Mask	Dermalogica – Charcoal Rescue Masque
Sheet Mask	Dr. Jart – Dermask Micro Jet Clearing Solution Mask

Formulated with 10% sulfur, the Therapeutic Sulfur Acne Mask by Peter Thomas Roth is a weekly treatment designed to purify the skin, dissolve the hardened gunk inside the pores, and neutralize the growth of the acne-causing bacteria.

The Therapeutic Sulfur Acne Mask is suitable for all types of acne, including non-inflammatory blackheads or whiteheads, but also deeper and painful cysts as well as itchy fungal acne that occurs on the skin in clusters when there’s an overgrowth of the malassezia yeast.

The mask also contains aloe vera extract to soothe and calm the skin from irritations, as well as a combination of kaolin and bentonite clays, both rich in minerals that purify and detoxify the skin from within and give the mask its distinct clay texture.

However, since the Therapeutic Sulfur Acne Mask is quite a potent product, it’s best to start by slowly getting your skin used to it and only apply it once to twice a week.

This should be enough to give you great results without potentially drying out your skin.

Peter Thomas Roth – Therapeutic Sulfur Acne Mask Pros:

• Effectively treats all types of acne.
• Contains soothing ingredients to prevent the skin from becoming irritated.
• Gentle enough to be used once or twice a week.

Peter Thomas Roth – Therapeutic Sulfur Acne Mask Cons:

• Can be drying to the skin if overused.
• Contains fragrance which might not be the best component for sensitive skin and those prone to allergies.

Formulated with a combination of kaolin and smectite clay, the Kaolin Clay Mask by The INKEY List is a gentle yet powerful treatment for all skin types that deep-cleanses the skin while absorbing oils and toxins and unclogging pores.

With a soft texture and a cream-like consistency, the mask applies smoothly to the skin and dries out after a couple of minutes, meaning you won’t need to dedicate too much time to your weekly clay mask ritual to achieve great results.

But besides the main combo of clays, the mask also has dry and sensitive skin types in mind and contains soothing and moisturizing ingredients such as olive and Centella Asiatica extracts, two ingredients with excellent calming and antioxidant properties that can help relieve irritation and calm the skin.

Excellent for weekly use, the Kaolin Mask can quickly become a staple in your beauty ritual if you’re looking for an affordable and effective product to help get rid of acne.

The INKEY List – Kaolin Mask Pros:

• Budget-friendly.
• Can help soothe active acne and inflammation.
• Contains antioxidants to help reverse skin damage.

The INKEY List – Kaolin Mask Cons:

• Some might find the clay scent of this mask off-putting.

If you are looking for something to help with active breakouts while also addressing the scarring left on your skin from past acne, then look no further than the 5-minute resurfacing treatment which is ClearStem’s PREGAME Face Mask.

This facial in a jar is formulated with a blend of finely ground bamboo and naturally-occurring fruit acids and works to dissolve dead skin, brighten hyperpigmentation, unclog pores, and give you an instant glow after just one use.

Additionally, and due to soothing and skin-repairing ingredients such as Beta-glucan and licorice root extract, the PREGAME Face Mask is incredibly gentle and suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin that usually tends to rebel against stronger exfoliating acids.

Lastly, antioxidant activity from turmeric, resveratrol, vitamin E, and niacinamide is bound to protect your skin from environmental aggressors and reverse some of the existing damage for a complexion that looks even, smooth, and healthy.

ClearStem Skincare – PREGAME Face Mask Pros:

• Instantly resurfaces the skin.
• Diminishes dark spots over time.
• Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.

ClearStem Skincare – PREGAME Face Mask Cons:

• None.

The ClarityRX Soothing Cucumber Mask aims to bring relief and hydration to sensitive, irritated, and acne-prone skin due to its magical blend of cooling and hydrating cucumber extract, soothing chamomile, and calming aloe vera.

But besides its exceptional soothing properties, the cooling mask also helps calm inflammatory conditions such as acne due to the addition of pineapple extract, which carries an enzyme known as bromelain to help exfoliate the skin very gently without irritating it.

And even though the mask is intended for those with ultra-sensitive and reactive skin, it’s excellent for all skin types and especially for someone who is dealing with rashes, itchiness, and discomfort caused by yeast overgrowth on the skin.

ClarityRX – Soothing Cucumber Mask Pros:

• Instantly soothes irritated skin.
• Works great for all skin types.
• Helps relieve inflammatory conditions such as acne and rosacea.

ClarityRX – Soothing Cucumber Mask Cons:

• None.

The PCA Skin Revitalizing Mask is a potent formula consisting of components that gently exfoliate the skin while reducing inflammation and redness.

This slimy, gel-based mask contains a blend of papaya enzymes and humectants that work to gently dissolve and sweep away the superficial layer of dead skin cells as well as hydrate and soften the skin. 

Besides that, the mask also contains green tea extract, a powerful antioxidant with soothing properties that won’t allow the skin to become irritated as it usually does when in contact with exfoliating enzymes and not enough hydration.

This is one of those rare masks that give you everything you need and more, which is probably why it’s loved by both acne-prone and dry skin types.

PCA SKIN – Revitalizing Mask Pros:

• Gently exfoliates the skin without irritating it.
• Reduces inflammation, redness, and active acne.
• Provides instant smoothness and a healthy glow after a single-use.

PCA SKIN – Revitalizing Mask Cons:

• Contains a blend of fragrant essential oils, which might irritate sensitive and reactive skin.

The 10% Niacinamide Night Mask from Farmacy is a creamy leave-on mask that glides on the skin like a dream and contains a high concentration of niacinamide, which is a form of vitamin B3 that offers numerous benefits for the skin, including balancing oil production, reducing pore size, evening out the skin tone, fading hyperpigmentation and even soothing active acne.

But besides that, the overnight mask also contains a plethora of skin-loving ingredients, including damage-reversing antioxidants and brightening agents such as blueberry seed oil, turmeric root extract, bisabolol, allantoin, and Beta-glucan, a polysaccharide and a soothing agent considered to be excellent for minimizing redness and other signs of sensitive skin.

This fantastic face mask that can also be used as a moisturizer, especially if your skin is on the oilier side, will give you nothing less than a glowy, radiant complexion after the very first use.

Farmacy – 10% Niacinamide Night Mask Pros:

• High concentration of skin-repairing niacinamide.
• Can be used as a moisturizer.
• Soothes active acne.

Farmacy – 10% Niacinamide Night Mask Cons:

• None.

The Egg White Pore Mask by Skinfood is an excellent option for those who aren’t looking for the full treatment, yet a little something-something in areas such as the nose, center of the forehead, and chin where blackheads or sebaceous filaments tend to be most prominent.

The purifying mask is made with a mix of kaolin and bentonite clay and albumen, which are egg extracts that seep into the skin, clutch onto impurities, and suck them out of the pores for good, leaving your skin feeling smooth, matte, and baby-soft.

And since we’re talking about eggs here, it’s only fair to mention that this mask is also loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids that deeply hydrate and nourish the skin.

On top of that, the Egg White Pore Mask does an excellent job of hydrating the skin due to containing glycerin and lactic acid, which are humectants that pull moisture into the outer layer of the skin to help it remain plump and hydrated.

Skinfood – Egg White Pore Mask Pros:

• Purifies the pores from the inside out and eliminates blackheads and sebaceous filaments.
• Contains a blend of skin-loving vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids.
• Contains humectants that do an excellent job hydrating the skin.

Skinfood – Egg White Pore Mask Cons:

• The combination of clays plus astringent egg white may cause the skin to feel a little tight and dry after use.

The Salicylic Acid 2% Masque contains a decent concentration of salicylic acid, which is excellent for unclogging the pores, getting rid of dead skin cells, and reducing inflammation.

But what makes this particular mask stand out from many others in the market is its ability to exfoliate the skin without causing irritation, thanks to the addition of soothing charcoal and kaolin clay, which work together to absorb excess oil and draw out impurities without over-drying or stripping the skin.

And because The Ordinary never misses when it comes to their formulas, this mask, like all of their products, is formulated without drying alcohol, fragrance, or other fragrant components such as essential oils, making it perfect for those with sensitive and allergy-prone skin.

The Salicylic Acid 2% Masque is excellent for weekly use and is bound to leave your skin smooth, glowy, and healthy.

The Ordinary – Salicylic Acid 2% Masque Pros:

• Gently exfoliates the skin without causing any irritation or sensitivity.
• Leaves the skin smooth and radiant after as little as one use.
• Can be used by all skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.

The Ordinary – Salicylic Acid 2% Masque Cons:

• None.

The Charcoal Rescue Masque by Dermalogica is another excellent product on this list that contains a blend of kaolin and bentonite clay to deeply purify the pores and get rid of any dirt, oil, or impurities that have been clogging them up.

However, the star of the show in this product is activated charcoal, an ingredient known for absorbing toxins and drawing them out of the skin, leaving you with a clearer, brighter, and more radiant complexion.

Another excellent trait of charcoal is that it can be used by anyone, including those with sensitive and reactive skin, due to its calming and soothing properties that help reduce inflammation and redness and relieve symptoms of itchiness often caused by bacterial or yeast overgrowth on the skin.

But the benefits don’t stop there, as the Charcoal Rescue Masque also contains antibacterial sulfur, alongside a blend of AHAs such as mandelic and lactic acid to help remove some of that dead skin cell buildup on the surface of the skin and encourage a healthy flow of skin-lubricating oil.

Lastly, antibacterial and antifungal witch hazel prevents the formation of future breakouts by keeping the pores clean and free of any unwanted critters.

Overall, the Charcoal Rescue Masque could be an excellent addition to your minimalist skincare routine because you won’t have to venture far and apply multiple products when you’ve got a product like this at your fingertips that does it all.

Dermalogica – Charcoal Rescue Masque Pros:

• Activated charcoal and clay blend draw toxins out of the skin and brighten the complexion.
• Packed with antifungal and antibacterial ingredients that help soothe existing and prevent future breakouts.
• Gentle enough to be used by all skin types, including sensitive skin.

Dermalogica – Charcoal Rescue Masque Cons:

• Can be drying if overused, so make sure to take it easy until your skin gets used to it.

Dr. Jart’s Dermask Micro Jet Clearing Solution sheet mask is soaked in a potent blend of salicylic acid, tea tree extract, niacinamide, and glutathione, which all work together to unclog pores, soothe the skin, reduce inflammation and redness, but also help brighten the skin, improve uneven skin tone and fade hyperpigmentation left from old pimples.

The mask itself is made from a thin microfiber material that adheres closely to the contours of the face, allowing the ingredients to seep in and do their job without evaporating or drying out.

And unlike other sheet masks that can be a little messy and drippy, the Dermask Micro Jet Clearing Solution Mask is easy to apply and remove without having you make a mess.

Dr. Jart – Dermask Micro Jet Clearing Solution Mask Pros:

• Gentle and suitable for all skin types.
• Salicylic acid and tea tree extract help soothe the skin and reduce acne.
• Niacinamide and glutathione help brighten the skin, unify the complexion, and fade post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Dr. Jart – Dermask Micro Jet Clearing Solution Mask Cons:

• Some might not be too keen on using sheet masks due to waste.