The 5 Best Drugstore Face Masks in 2021

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Mask at Amazon

This Neutrogena mask is only $3 and it's hydrating benefits are hard to beat.

Best Budget:

Pacifica Mattify Prep Face Mask at Pacificabeauty.com

It actually mattifies the skin, helping to keep oil at bay and providing lightweight hydration with hyaluronic acid.

Best for Acne-Prone Skin:

L'Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Detox Face Mask at Amazon

For clogged pores, look no further than one of the beauty industry's favorite ingredients: charcoal.

Best for Sensitive Skin:

Nugg Antioxidant Gel Mask at IHerb

The Youth Boost mask contains white tea extract and vitamin B3 to brighten, calm, and balance red, irritated skin.

Best for Dull Skin:

Yes To Mud Mask at Asos.com

If dullness and hyper-pigmentation have you down, reach for a mask with vitamin C, an antioxidant that naturally brightens the skin.

In This Article

Our Picks

In our experience, no one will ever say no to testing drugstore makeup. If eyeliner is smooth, inky, opaque, and only $5, most everyone will stock up on it without hesitation. The same goes for the lash-defining mascaras, colorful lipsticks, and high-coverage foundations that line the drugstore aisle. The less they cost, the better, right?

That bargain-hunting spirit doesn't quite extend to drugstore skincare products, though. We've seen beauty buffs hesitate to buy a $10 moisturizer, choosing instead to spend five times that on a high-end formula elsewhere because they're suspicious of the former's efficacy. No judgment—we're guilty of doing that, too. Sometimes the lure of a fancy glass-bottled skincare product is too strong…

Nonetheless, that doesn't mean we can write off drugstore skincare products entirely. In fact, we recommend doing just the opposite because those fluorescent aisles abound with products that are effective, budget-friendly, and worth buying, especially when it comes to face masks. Whether you're looking for a skin-quenching sheet mask or a detoxifying clay mask, there's one out there for you.

Keep scrolling to see the six best drugstore face masks for every skin concern.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating 100% Hydrogel Mask

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First things first: This Neutrogena mask is only $3. That's it. Beyond the affordable price tag, it drenches skin in hydration thanks to the hyaluronic acid it contains. For anyone who doesn't know, hyaluronic acid is a mega-moisturizing molecule that occurs naturally in our bodies. And, it can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water (if you're interested, here's a bit more about its benefits beyond hydration).

Take it from the reviewers. One writes, "I love this particular face mask by Neutrogena. The hydrogel boosting mask revitalizes and transforms your skin from dull and lifeless, to radiant and glowing. Leaves face so soft and silky, clean and hydrated. One of my absolute favorites."

View On Pacificabeauty.com

Anyone with oily skin knows the struggle. You cleanse, apply makeup, and head out the door. Then, less than an hour later, you need an oil-blotting sheet. Sigh. That's why you might appreciate this vegan sheet mask from Pacifica. It actually mattifies the skin, helping to keep oil at bay and providing lightweight hydration with (you guessed it) hyaluronic acid. As one reviewer put it, this mask is "great [for] daytime before makeup or just alone for a glow without oiliness."

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For clogged pores, look no further than one of the beauty industry's favorite ingredients: charcoal. It draws out impurities, keeping new breakouts at bay. For only $10, this mask is a Byrdie team favorite. It gets the job done, doesn't ruin our bank accounts, and leaves our skin feeling clean and smooth. Reviewers agree.

Take it from the one who writes, "Maybe it's coincidence…but since using this product my skin is less oily, I have A LOT fewer breakouts, my acne scarring has faded and I've noticed brighter and even skin tone. Honestly, I'm shocked that something that only costs $10 has helped my skin so much. I use it two to three times a week and spot-treat acne. It smells great, too, and leaves my skin feeling so soft. Do yourself a favor and TRY THIS."

View On IHerb

Key Ingredients

Vitamin B3 (also known as niacin) works to improve skin texture by boosting moisture and increasing keratin.

Here's the thing about Nugg face masks. I've seen them hundreds of times throughout my weekly Target trips, but I hadn't tried any until the recommendation by a couple of friends. The single-use packets are convenient and effective, targeting a range of skin concerns, though this one is a personal favorite. The Youth Boost mask contains white tea extract and vitamin B3 to brighten, calm, and balance red, irritated skin.

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If dullness and hyperpigmentation have you down, reach for a mask with vitamin C, an antioxidant that naturally brightens the skin. We like this grapefruit mud mask, which is perfect for using at home or when traveling (since it's single-use). Vitamin C, grapefruit, and pink kaolin clay work together to brighten, exfoliate, and illuminate. "It helped control my shine and did brighten up my skin. I also noticed that it minimized my pores and evened out my skin. A plus is that it left my skin soft even the day after I used it," wrote one reviewer.

16 Face Masks Byrdie Editors Swear by for Glowing Skin ASAP