Sometimes fighting acne and breakouts requires more than topical treatments. Unlike topical treatments, which work well at tackling annoying individual pimples, acne masks are gentle enough to be applied to your entire face in one go, removing both pimples and blemishes and preventing them from forming in the future.
"Acne medications can cause irritation, and masks provide a sweet spot where active ingredients can stay on the skin longer without as much risk of breakouts," says Mona Gohara, MD, a dermatologist and professor at Yale University.
"Plus, there's no guesswork about how much to apply because the mask is already infused with key ingredients and all you have to do is apply it."
So much for Dr. While Gohara praises face masks, she warns against homemade masks and those designed to hydrate the skin if you suffer from acne. "DIY ingredients can be very annoying, with toothpaste being the biggest culprit," she says. "Hydrating masks can also clog pores and put the skin into an acne-prone state."
When looking for the best face masks for acne, you should look for products that contain ingredients known to fight acne, such as salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that works by exfoliating dead skin cells and unclogging pores Excess grease.
Alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic and lactic acid are also great for cleaning pores. They may also be slightly less irritating than salicylic acid. Benzoyl peroxide and colloidal sulfur have antibacterial properties and can also reduce acne.
"All of these ingredients are effective in reducing all types of acne, whether it's hormonal, comedogenic or inflammatory acne," says Dr. Marnie Nussbaum, board-certified dermatologist in New York City. Here are some of our favorite anti-acne masks on the market, some of which are dermatologist-approved.
Best mud mask. Ahava Mineral Mud Cleansing Facial. Treat acne with this mineral mud mask. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, your skin is sure to feel clean without drying out. Best of all, this clay mask fights excess oil to prevent future breakouts and tame existing ones.
Best for oil control: Clinique Acne Solution Oil Control Cleansing Mask. Clay is a popular acne treatment because it absorbs excess oil while healing blemishes and preventing future breakouts.
PhD. Gohara recommends using this mask because it contains salicylic acid, which removes oil that may clog pores. At the same time, the clay absorbs excess sebum.
The best charcoal face mask: Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Honey Mask for Cleansing and Conditioning. Charcoal is a classic choice for acne-fighting solutions.
It absorbs excess oil and removes impurities and debris from pores. Other ingredients like fermented honey and golden wildflowers also help hydrate, leaving you with clean, moisturized, acne-free skin.
Best for red blood cells. SkinCeuticals Plant Corrective Mask.Acne is accompanied by redness, which can cause the pimples to appear more noticeable and irritated. This mask contains active botanicals and hyaluronic acid to treat redness, and Dr. Walnut is perfect for sensitive skin.
Best peeling results. Laneige Clear-C Exfoliating Mask. This mask fights dead skin cells so you can say goodbye to uneven skin texture. PhD. Gohara recommends this mask because it contains alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) which helps unclog pores, remove dirt and oil, and exfoliate while preventing acne scarring. Strawberry seeds have a physical exfoliation effect and feel particularly soothing after washing off.
Best night mask: COSRX Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Spa Mask. For whiteheads or blackheads, use this gentle formula to treat your acne overnight.
It contains niacinamide to soothe irritation caused by acne and blemishes. Plus, this star ingredient helps balance skin oils and prevent future breakouts.
Best for sensitive skin. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Instant Oatmeal Mask
Acne and sensitive skin are a very common combination, but with a little love from this mask, you can tackle both problems in no time.
PhD. Gohara says oatmeal is a soothing ingredient that's great for sensitive and dry skin. This mask helps rejuvenate stressed, dry and acne-prone skin and contains a small amount of shea butter to moisturize and protect the skin barrier.
"Acne medications can cause irritation, and masks provide a sweet spot where active ingredients can stay on the skin longer without as much risk of breakouts," says Mona Gohara, MD, a dermatologist and professor at Yale University.
"Plus, there's no guesswork about how much to apply because the mask is already infused with key ingredients and all you have to do is apply it."
So much for Dr. While Gohara praises face masks, she warns against homemade masks and those designed to hydrate the skin if you suffer from acne. "DIY ingredients can be very annoying, with toothpaste being the biggest culprit," she says. "Hydrating masks can also clog pores and put the skin into an acne-prone state."
When looking for the best face masks for acne, you should look for products that contain ingredients known to fight acne, such as salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that works by exfoliating dead skin cells and unclogging pores Excess grease.
Alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic and lactic acid are also great for cleaning pores. They may also be slightly less irritating than salicylic acid. Benzoyl peroxide and colloidal sulfur have antibacterial properties and can also reduce acne.
"All of these ingredients are effective in reducing all types of acne, whether it's hormonal, comedogenic or inflammatory acne," says Dr. Marnie Nussbaum, board-certified dermatologist in New York City. Here are some of our favorite anti-acne masks on the market, some of which are dermatologist-approved.
Best mud mask. Ahava Mineral Mud Cleansing Facial. Treat acne with this mineral mud mask. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, your skin is sure to feel clean without drying out. Best of all, this clay mask fights excess oil to prevent future breakouts and tame existing ones.
Best for oil control: Clinique Acne Solution Oil Control Cleansing Mask. Clay is a popular acne treatment because it absorbs excess oil while healing blemishes and preventing future breakouts.
PhD. Gohara recommends using this mask because it contains salicylic acid, which removes oil that may clog pores. At the same time, the clay absorbs excess sebum.
The best charcoal face mask: Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Honey Mask for Cleansing and Conditioning. Charcoal is a classic choice for acne-fighting solutions.
It absorbs excess oil and removes impurities and debris from pores. Other ingredients like fermented honey and golden wildflowers also help hydrate, leaving you with clean, moisturized, acne-free skin.
Best for red blood cells. SkinCeuticals Plant Corrective Mask.Acne is accompanied by redness, which can cause the pimples to appear more noticeable and irritated. This mask contains active botanicals and hyaluronic acid to treat redness, and Dr. Walnut is perfect for sensitive skin.
Best peeling results. Laneige Clear-C Exfoliating Mask. This mask fights dead skin cells so you can say goodbye to uneven skin texture. PhD. Gohara recommends this mask because it contains alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) which helps unclog pores, remove dirt and oil, and exfoliate while preventing acne scarring. Strawberry seeds have a physical exfoliation effect and feel particularly soothing after washing off.
Best night mask: COSRX Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Spa Mask. For whiteheads or blackheads, use this gentle formula to treat your acne overnight.
It contains niacinamide to soothe irritation caused by acne and blemishes. Plus, this star ingredient helps balance skin oils and prevent future breakouts.
Best for sensitive skin. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Instant Oatmeal Mask
Acne and sensitive skin are a very common combination, but with a little love from this mask, you can tackle both problems in no time.
PhD. Gohara says oatmeal is a soothing ingredient that's great for sensitive and dry skin. This mask helps rejuvenate stressed, dry and acne-prone skin and contains a small amount of shea butter to moisturize and protect the skin barrier.
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Skin Care