Beauty Face Masks

A great face mask is a brilliant skin care solution to most had-it moments, from nerves and exhaustion to that moment you look in the mirror and think, "Something has got to give." Either way, keep them (and we say them because masks are the one element in your skin-care routine that it’s okay to switch up every once in a while) on hand to solve problems both in the moment and long-term: Skin- or simply psyche-related, these totally clean and wildly effective all-stars really work.

What we love most about clean masks in particular is that they’re so concentrated; without the fillers, texturizers, fragrances, and other ingredients potentially hazardous to our health, there’s more space for active botanicals to nourish and replenish our skin. Whether you’re dry and sensitive, oily and breakout-prone, or anything in between, the right mask can take any skin-care routine to the next level. The key lies in understanding what results you’re looking for and working your choice properly into your routine for ultimate results.

While beauty face masks might seem to be more about short-term gains (glow, smoothness, porelessness, hydration, calming breakouts) than the long game, the right ones can actually bring about serious long-term benefits when incorporated into a skin-care routine on a regular basis. A mask can be a nearly nightly ritual or it can mark the end of a long week (perhaps accompanied by a soak in a bath or even a sweat in a sauna blanket or a gem-mat session). Either way, cleanse first: Applying your mask to wet skin increases absorption and thus the effectiveness of the mask.

From overnight peels and spot treatment patches to glow exfoliators, these are our personal favorite beauty face masks.