Masks are the youngest child of the skincare family: they get all the attention and are never reprimanded for bad behavior (eg. failing to work) because they’re cute and fun. They can be cheap, too, especially when opting for one of the many K-Beauty inspired single-use masks. Unfortunately, though, the mask hype only goes so far. The cheapest tend to have dodgy ingredients (steroids) while the priciest can be ineffective, leaving you regretting your investment in another useless beauty product. For the sake of your bank account and maintaining the glowy state of your skin, we’ve rounded up seven masks that are actually worth your money.
Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask by FRESH
The One For Your Benjamin Button Fantasies
This antioxidant-filled mask will take your face back in time in just 10 minutes, with its uber moisturizing mixture of black tea, lychee seed, and polysaccharides, which help to smooth the skin and blur fine lines. The velvety texture has a cooling effect, too, making it the perfect option to wake up your face after a poor night’s sleep.
Cold Plunge Pore Mask by Ole Henriksen
The One That Takes The Trash Out
Do your pores seem to expand with every week that passes, making them that much more susceptible to dreaded black build up? This Scandi-inspired option from Ole Henriksen will stop this process in its tracks, visibly shrinking your pores and minimizing oil production, thanks to a combination of skin-loving acids, AHA and BHA.
Anti-Drama Face Mask by Frank Body
The One That Is Therapy For Your Face
If you have sensitive skin that looks perpetually angry (think: red, with an annoying combo of pimples and dry patches), this mask is for you. From the genius Aussie women behind Frank Body, this nighttime mask relies on charcoal, chamomile, and honey to detoxify and calm the skin.
Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask
The One That Replicates Lumi-Case Lighting
Kim Kardashian and her beloved Lumi case have nothing on this mask, which refreshes the complexion and instantly brightens your skin. Given its highly active combo of lactic, tartaric, citric and glycolic acid, we’d save this mask for days when your skin is already in fighting shape.
Jet Lag Mask by Summer Fridays
The One for Desert-Dry Skin
An overwhelming number of products are endorsed by buzzy influencers these days, making it hard to know what is really a decent product. Summer Fridays’ Jet Lag Mask is one of the few that is worth the hype: use it once you to de-plane to renew dull and tired skin.
Pink Clay Exfoliating Mask by Herbivore Botanicals
The One That Buries Dead Skin
This mask is more than just a pretty #shelfie standby. For those of you struggling with the effects of seasonal change on your skin, this grainy paste removes the top layer of dead skin to reveal the smoother canvas underneath. Made with rosehip and chamomile flowers, it smells amazing also.
Pink Clay Exfoliating Mask by Herbivore Botanicals, Sephora, $31
Main image credit: CoffeeAndMilk/ Getty Images
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