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Byrdie / Amelia Manley
Drugstore products have a place in every cosmetics category, and face masks are no exception. When you take affordability out of the equation, choosing the right one is really a matter of your skin type, concerns, and goals. Face masks can help regulate oil production, reduce acne, exfoliate, brighten, or hydrate skin when used correctly.
Byrdie Researched & Approved
Our best overall pick is Neutrogena's Hydrogel Sheet Mask, which contains dermatologist-recommended ingredients to moisturize, soothe, and leave skin noticeably softer. If you're looking to control oil and address acne, consider the Bliss Mighty Marshmallow Mask, which gently exfoliates, balances oil production, and evens out your complexion.
"There are so many different kinds of face masks—clay, cream, gel, exfoliating, sheet—and each one accomplishes something different," says celebrity facialist Taylor Worden. "Using a mask can hydrate the skin, smooth out uneven texture, brighten, minimize the look of fine lines and wrinkles, refine big pores, absorb excess oil, or help with breakouts."
We conducted hours of research on the best drugstore face masks, evaluating each on active ingredients, targeted benefits to skin concerns, and ease of application. We then combined expert recommendations from a celebrity facialist and board-certified dermatologist with our own research of fan favorites to compile this list of best in show.
Ahead are the best drugstore face masks currently on the market.
Best Overall: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating 100% Hydrogel Mask
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Ulta
Leaves skin supple
Non-comedogenic
Dermatologist-recommended ingredients
Contains fragrance
Contains PEGs
"Popular ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and botanicals can help soothe and restore the skin barrier in hydrating masks," says board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Claire Wolinsky. That's why our number one pick is Neutrogena Hydro Boost.
This single-use sheet mask contains all the skin-quenchers Dr. Wolinsky mentioned. The specific botanicals include anti-inflammatory algae and protective snow mushroom extract. Upon rinsing it off, you can expect supple, dewy skin and a calm complexion. It's also non-comedogenic, so it won't clog your pores.
Benefits: Hydrating, soothing | Skin Type: Dry, combination, sensitive, oily | Amount: 1–12 masks | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Value: Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay
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Target
Generous amount
Only one ingredient
Controls oil production
Slightly messy
May irritate sensitive skin
Aztec Secret is a drugstore product with a dedicated following—and not just because the huge tub offers lots of bang for your buck. Containing nothing more than bentonite clay, this one-ingredient wonder does a great job absorbing excess oil to prevent clogged pores and breakouts.
Benefits: Absorbs sebum, prevents breakouts | Skin Type: Combination, oily, acne-prone | Amount: 16–32 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
What Our Testers Say
While my skin didn’t have any wow-worthy results, more pores did appear smaller (especially on my nose).” —Bianca Lambert, Product Tester
Best Clay: L'Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Face Mask
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Walgreens
Balances oil production
Addresses dullness
Non-drying
Unhygienic container
Contains fragrance
L'Oréal makes a great clay mask. This one calls on kaolin, Moroccan lava, and charcoal powder to soak up excess sebum and clear your pores, while seaweed offers a soothing, hydrating effect.
Benefits: Unclogs pores, absorbs sebum, soothing | Skin Type: All | Amount: 1.7 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Charcoal: Buttah Charcoal Detox Mask
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Amazon
Balances oil production
Non-drying
Replenishes skin
Unhygienic container
Pricey for drugstore
Buttah's charcoal mask promises to absorb excess oil, prevent clogged pores, and tighten up your complexion. Thanks to argan oil and shea butter, the skin-replenishing formula won't dry you out, leaving you with a healthy glow instead. Although this option is a bit pricier than others on this list, we think the inclusion of natural oils justifies the spend.
Benefits: Tightening, unclogs pores, absorbs sebum | Skin Type: Oily, combination, sensitive, acne-prone | Amount: 1 ounce | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Vitamin C: Milani Supercharged Brightening Prep Mask
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Milani
Addresses dullness
Leaves skin radiant
Hygienic container
May irritate sensitive skin
Supercharged contains everyone's favorite antioxidant, vitamin C, to brighten and even out your skin tone. Meanwhile, a blend of fruit enzymes offers gentle exfoliation to address dullness and reveal a more radiant complexion.
Benefits: Brightening, exfoliating | Skin Type: Combination, oily, dry, mature | Amount: 2 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: Simple Water Boost Hydrating Sheet Mask
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Amazon
Non-irritating formula
Fragrance-free
Dermatologist-recommended ingredients
Contains PEGs
Simple Water Boost is the best drugstore mask for sensitive skin. This fragrance-free sheet mask contains a few of Dr. Wolinsky's recommended ingredients, including glycerin and hyaluronic acid for plumping hydration, plus soothing botanicals like allantoin and mallow extract.
Benefits: Hydrating, plumping, soothing | Skin Type: Sensitive, dry | Amount: 1 mask | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Dry Skin: Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb Super Hydrating Sheet Mask
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Amazon
Long-lasting moisture
Calms inflammation
Non-greasy formula
Contains fragrance
Contains PEGs
For parched complexions, we recommend Garnier's Moisture Bomb. This sheet mask contains go-to humectant hyaluronic acid to draw moisture from the air and into the skin, plus naturally calming chamomile for good measure.
Benefits: Hydrating, soothing | Skin Type: Dry, sensitive, combination, mature | Amount: 1 mask | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Oily Skin: Cetaphil Pro DermaControl Purifying Clay Mask
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Target
Balances oil production
Non-comedogenic
Fragrance-free
Unhygienic container
Contains PEGs
If you're dealing with greasy skin or a shiny T-zone, go with Cetaphil. This non-comedogenic clay mask combines kaolin and bentonite to absorb excess sebum and unclog pores, while a small dose of natural plant oils helps balance oil production.
Benefits: Absorbs oil, unclogs pores | Skin Type: Oily, combination, acne-prone, sensitive | Amount: 3 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: ZitSticka Pore Vac Unclogging Clay Mask
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Amazon
Clears and prevents
Reduces redness
Calms inflammation
Pricey for drugstore
Those battling breakouts should consider ZitSticka's Pore Vac. As the name suggests, this clay mask gets deep into your pores and sucks up sebum—but it doesn't stop there. Alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids offer gentle exfoliation to prevent more pimples from forming, while chamomile and aloe calm redness and soothe inflammation. This product is a bit more expensive than others on this list, but we love that it contains alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids, which are clinically proven to give results.
Benefits: Unclogs pores, soothing, gently exfoliates | Skin Type: Acne-prone, combination, oily, sensitive | Amount: 2–3.4 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Combination Skin: Bliss Mighty Marshmallow Mask
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Amazon
Calms inflammation
Balances oil production
Leaves skin radiant
Unhygienic container
Contains PEGs
If your skin can't decide if it's dry, oily, or sensitive, this multi-beneficial face mask might be your best bet. It also provides gentle physical exfoliation while zinc PCA balances oil production,¹³ and a blend of antioxidants offers a brightening, tone-evening effect.
Benefits: Calms redness, evens skin tone, hydrating | Skin Type: All | Amount: 1.7 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Soothing: Sun Bum Skin Care Restoring Facial Mask
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Amazon
Calms inflammation
Protects skin barrier
Hygienic container
Blue color may be off-putting
Contains fragrance
What about red, reactive skin? Sun Bum's Restoring Mask soothes irritation with brown algae and aloe while glycerin and antioxidants hydrate, brighten, and protect.
Benefits: Calms redness, hydrating, brightening | Skin Type: All | Amount: 2 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Hydrating : Freeman Hydrating Gel Cream Mask
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Amazon
Generous amount
Leave-on formula
Dermatologist-recommended ingredients
Contains PEGs
Contains fragrance
This gel mask from Freeman contains Dr. Wolinsky's recommended hydrators for restoring the skin barrier: glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and botanicals. We also like that the versatile formula can be rinsed off after 15 minutes, left on as an overnight mask, or used as a daytime moisturizer.
Benefits: Hydrating, calms redness | Skin Type: All | Amount: 6 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Exfoliating: Skinfood Black Sugar Mask Wash Off
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Ulta
This fan-favorite mask from Skinfood leans on Brazilian black sugar to offer gentle physical exfoliation and make your skin oh-so-smooth. Not only that but macadamia oil and shea butter deliver a nourishing dose of moisture, leaving you with a soft face and a dewy complexion.
Benefits: Gently exfoliates, moisturizing, softening | Skin Type: All | Amount: 3.5 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best AHA: Mad Hippie Microdermabrasion Facial
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Amazon
Prefer chemical exfoliation? Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman, recommends this alpha hydroxy acid-rich mask from Mad Hippie. "It can be used twice weekly and really gets rid of all the dead skin because it has six different acids," she tells Byrdie. "It doesn't dry your skin out because it has hyaluronic acid as well as squalane, which are both super hydrating." Yes, this pick will run you more, but the derm-recommended formula has clinical results behind it, which justifies the spend in our book.
Benefits: Gently exfoliates, brightening | Skin Type: Dry, sensitive, combination | Amount: 2.1 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Overnight: CosRx Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Spa Mask
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Walmart
Leave-on formula
Fragrance-free
Hygienic container
Results aren't dramatic
CosRx's Overnight Spa Mask gets to work while you get your beauty sleep. The creamy formula flaunts a blend of rice extract and antioxidants to hydrate, soothe, and brighten your skin.
Benefits: Hydrating, soothing, brightening | Skin Type: All | Amount: 2 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Final Verdict
Our favorite drugstore face mask is Neutrogena's Hydrogel Sheet Mask, which contains dermatologist-recommended ingredients to moisturize, soothe, and leave skin supple. If you're looking for more noticeable results, go with the Bliss Mighty Marshmallow Mask, which gently exfoliates, balances oil production and evens out your complexion.
Meet the Expert
Dr. Claire Wolinsky is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in facial rejuvenation.
Taylor Worden is a New York-based celebrity esthetician and the founder of Taylor Worden Skin.
Dr. Debra Jaliman, is a world-renowned board-certified dermatologist and an assistant professor of dermatology at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine.
What to Look For in a Drugstore Face Mask
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a moisture binder, which means that it will attach itself to the water in the cells—thus, the plumping effect. Although it's found naturally in your body, adding hyaluronic acid to your skincare routine can have huge benefits. This little molecule can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water and is considered a hydration superstar.
Vitamin C
This antioxidant does everything from protecting skin from future damage to helping create a more even skin tone and promoting collagen production. Since we can't produce it on our own you'll have to add vitamin C to your routine—like in a face mask—to reap its benefits.
Vitamin B3
You may have heard of this ingredient under the names niacinamide and nicotinamide. It's used to help treat skin issues including acne and dark spots and can help improve the skin's barrier function. Needless to say, it's the perfect addition to a face mask.
Charcoal
It was popular years ago as an internal ingredient, but charcoal is also excellent at removing impurities from your skin's surface, in addition to inside your body. Experts generally recommend using masks that have charcoal as an ingredient, rather than the harsh peel-off charcoal masks that may be too irritating for some.
Why Trust Byrdie
Theresa Holland is a self-proclaimed skincare nerd and beauty commerce writer. For this article, she compiled insights and product recommendations from three experts, including two board-certified dermatologists and an esthetician. She has tried face masks from several of the featured brands, including Neutrogena, Aztec Secret, CosRX, and Freeman. Theresa covers skincare, haircare, and makeup products at Byrdie.
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