by Alexandra Nicole Nuralam

The Definitive Guide to Face Masking, According to Your Skin Needs

Your best friend could swear by sheet masks all she wants, you still don’t understand what’s so great about them. It’s sticky and messy, they break you out and none of it actually works for your skin anyway. Well, we’re here to show you the best side of the face-masking regime with our list of the best face masks, according to your skin needs. Read on for all the details.

What’s so great about face masks is that they are one of the quickest and easiest ways to get over a bad skin day when our everyday skincare products aren’t quite cutting it—be it breakouts, dullness or dryness—without scheduling a last-minute facial appointment.

Face masks come in different forms—sheet, clay, peel-off, to name a few—and often choosing which type depends on what result you want for your skin. Hydrating masks are often sheets or in cream form, while exfoliating ones are usually clay or mud masks, as well as peel-off formulas.

Skin Type: Normal

Those with normal skin can benefit from pretty much any type of face masks, it all depends on what you think your skin needs for the day. Balance out exfoliating masks with more nourishing ones later in the week for a glowing complexion.

Skin Type: Dry

For dry skin types, it’s best to stick to hydrating face masks with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides. Try to steer clear of acne-fighting ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid which can suck the moisture out of your skin, leading to flaking and peeling skin.

Skin Type: Oily and Acne-prone

A lot of the time, oily and acne-prone skin types have the same issue: excessive sebum buildup in the pores leading to blemishes. Look for face masks with AHAs and BHAs to help purge dead skin cells from the skin, but remember not to over-exfoliate. Keeping your skin hydrated is just as important; it can reduce the production of sebum and keep the grease away.

Skin Type: Combination

Combination skin types are tricky in that you need a mask that can address an oily T-zone but is hydrating enough for the slightly drier cheek areas. Enter multi-masking, where you can apply different masks to different parts of the face simultaneously. Avoid alcohol and comedogenic ingredients on the T-zones, and avoid harsh exfoliating agents on the drier areas.

Skin type: Sensitive

For sensitive skin types, it’s always a good idea to try a patch test on your skin before you put it on your face, lest any stinging or burning happen when you apply a product. Avoid any fragrances or alcoholic ingredients to prevent any irritation. The more basic and gentle, the better.