The 11 Best Face Masks of 2023, Tested & Reviewed

Best Overall

ROSEN Skincare Smooth Jelly Mask

5

View On Target View On Rosenskincare.com

Our Ratings

• Application
  5/5
• Feel
  5/5
• Efficacy
  5/5
• Appearance
  5/5

The simple act of applying a facemask and relaxing with it on can be a powerful form of self-care, but that’s made even better when the mask produces a noticeable improvement in the look and feel of your skin. That’s exactly what this mask formulated with lactic acid did for our tester, who absolutely raved about her experience using it. She said the lightweight, jelly texture was easy to apply and comfortable on her skin, and she noticed that after just one use, it worked to significantly calm redness and illuminate her complexion. After using it consistently once a week as part of her skincare regimen, she shared that her hyperpigmentation was visibly reduced, her skin tone appeared brighter overall, and the texture of her skin felt smoother.

Considering that this mask delivers on all of its claims, is easy and efficient to apply, and is accessible and affordable, it's no surprise that it’s our top pick.

Price at time of publish: $18

Benefits: Exfoliates, fades dark spots | Size: 2 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Budget

The Inkey List Madecassoside Mask

5

View On Theinkeylist.com

Our Ratings

• Application
  5/5
• Feel
  5/5
• Efficacy
  5/5
• Appearance
  5/5

Whether you’re experiencing a flare-up of redness and irritation or you’re simply craving a soothing treatment for your skin, we recommend checking out this affordable mask for when your face needs some extra support. It’s formulated with madecassoside, a component found in centella asiatica, a medicinal plant known for its skin-soothing benefits. The mask works to temper redness and inflammation and hydrate the skin while providing a cooling sensation that’s incredibly refreshing. It can be used as a leave-on treatment that you can sleep in or as a rinse-off mask—making it super versatile. It’s also housed in a squeeze tube, making for easy and mess-free application.

Our tester absolutely loved this product, saying it instantly helped to calm her redness and soothe her skin. The creamy texture was simple to apply and felt comfortable and non-greasy, and she really enjoyed the cooling sensation it created once applied. After using it for a few weeks in a row, she noted that her skin felt softer, and she even noticed that she was better able to tolerate her retinol cream without irritation.

Price at time of publish: $12

Benefits: Calms redness and inflammation | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Splurge

Sisley Paris Black Rose Cream Mask

4.8

View On Nordstrom View On Bloomingdales View On Neiman Marcus

Our Ratings

• Application
  5/5
• Feel
  4.5/5
• Efficacy
  4.5/5
• Appearance
  5/5

If you’re willing to indulge in a face mask and make this part of your self-care routine more luxe, this pricey pick has our Byrdie stamp of approval. While it’s quite expensive, our tester raved about it and explained that because a little bit goes a long way and it’s not a wash-off product, she considers it to be a fair value.

The ultra-creamy formula is pillowy soft, and easy to apply, and our tester with combination skin said it worked wonders in the areas of her face that are prone to getting dry patches. “Since using this product, I have yet to experience dry or flaky patches on my skin,” she explained. It worked to significantly increase hydration, and she even noticed a visible difference in the plumpness of her skin. She noted that it did feel slightly oily in her T-zone, so while it’s suitable for all skin types, those with oily skin might want to use it sparingly.

Price at time of publish: $180

Benefits: Smoothes, brightens, hydrates | Size: 2 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Brightening

Then I Met You Rosé Resurfacing Facial Mask

4.3

View On Amazon View On Sokoglam.com View On Thenimetyou.com

Our Ratings

• Application
  4.5/5
• Feel
  5/5
• Efficacy
  4/5
• Appearance
  3.5/5

While dull skin isn’t nearly as frustrating as consistent blemishes or flaky, dry patches, it can make it challenging to feel like your best, most confident self. If you resonate with this, we recommend trying this brightening mask formulated with a blend of glycolic and lactic acids and antioxidants. The gel texture is easy to apply and feels incredibly refreshing and a bit cooling on the skin, and it doesn’t dry down to a tight or uncomfortable finish. In fact, our tester loved that it was so comfortable and mess-free that she could walk around and get things done around the house while wearing it.

As for the results, she noticed that immediately after using this mask, her skin felt softer and more hydrated. She also noted that her usual dry, dull skin looked more radiant on the mornings after she used this mask before bed. After consistent weekly use over the course of our testing period, her complexion looked more lively and bright, and her skin felt softer to the touch. The one thing she was slightly disappointed in was that it didn’t seem to make a noticeable improvement in her skin texture. However, if you’re on the hunt for a face mask that will help you achieve a healthier-looking complexion, we absolutely recommend this one.

Price at time of publish: $56

Benefits: Brightening, exfoliating, calming | Size: 1.8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Exfoliating

Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask Enzymatic Dermal Resurfacer

4.3

View On Sephora View On Ulta View On Dermstore

Our Ratings

• Application
  4.5/5
• Feel
  4/5
• Efficacy
  4/5
• Appearance
  4.5/5

This popular exfoliating mask is an editor favorite, and unsurprisingly, our tester also had tons of positive things to say about it. It provides dual exfoliation as it’s formulated with pumpkin enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids for chemical exfoliation, as well as aluminum oxide crystals to physically polish away dead skin cells. The thick, gel-like texture has a fine grit to it which makes application easy and ensures that the physical exfoliation isn’t overly harsh. It also has a delicious pumpkin scent that isn’t overpowering; rather, it adds to the masking experience in such a pleasant way.

Our tester shared that while the mask felt pretty intense at first, even causing a slight burning sensation upon her first application, it quickly subsided, and she didn’t experience the same discomfort after the first use. It’s definitely a powerful formula, so it can take some time to build up a tolerance to it. After keeping it on for about five minutes and then washing it off, she noticed how soft her skin felt and how glowy it appeared. It worked to remove dead skin cells and leave her complexion looking even and refreshed. If you’re in need of a powerful exfoliating treatment mask to rid your skin of dry patches and help you achieve more uniform, bright skin, we absolutely recommend this mask.

Price at time of publish: $60

Benefits: Exfoliating | Size: 5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Refreshing

Peach Slices Snail Rescue Intensive Wash-Off Jelly Mask

4.3

View On Ulta View On Walmart View On Peachandlily.com

Our Ratings

• Application
  4/5
• Feel
  5/5
• Efficacy
  5/5
• Appearance
  3/5

Whether you’re coming from a sweaty gym session or a long day at work, sometimes applying a refreshing face mask and putting your feet up is just the pick-me-up you need. We love this one because it’s pretty affordable, has a lightweight and cooling texture that instantly calms the skin, and features a gel formula that’s simple to apply and painless to remove. It’s formulated with 95 percent snail mucin, which contains glycolic and hyaluronic acid properties to help hydrate and exfoliate the skin.

In addition to the invigorating sensation that it provides, our tester said this mask helped to hydrate her skin and leave her with a bright, toned complexion. She said the overall user experience was really pleasant, though she didn’t see a noticeable difference in texture, pores, or dark spots. If those concerns are what you’re targeting, there are better options for you, but if you’re looking for a mask that will feel refreshing and help to hydrate your skin and leave it looking radiant, we think you’ll love this one.

Price at time of publish: $17

Benefits: Hydrates, brightens, targets dark spots | Size: 3.4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Soothing

Kiehl's Calendula Petal-Infused Calming Mask

4.6

View On Sephora View On Ulta View On Kiehls.com

Our Ratings

• Application
  5/5
• Feel
  4.5/5
• Efficacy
  4/5
• Appearance
  5/5

Soothing masks are great when your skin looks and feels irritated—think redness, flaking, and itching. We love this one because it’s formulated with calendula, a plant known for skin healing, as well as aloe vera to soothe and calm the skin. It has a creamy gel texture that feels incredibly soft as you apply it and once applied, it produces a slightly cooling sensation that feels amazing on stressed skin.

Our tester loved how comfortable it was to wear, and she noticed that her skin looked healthier and felt more hydrated after her initial application. As she used it over the course of two weeks, she shared that her skin continued to feel great after application, noting how smooth and plump it appeared. Although she didn’t notice a lasting difference in the hydration levels of her skin, this mask is a great option for situations where you’re in need of some TLC and a quick hydration boost.

Price at time of publish: $47

Benefits: Soothes, hydrates | Size: 3.4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

Best for Enlarged Pores

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment

4.3

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Nordstrom

Our Ratings

• Application
  4.5/5
• Feel
  3.5/5
• Efficacy
  5/5
• Appearance
  4/5

Chances are, you’ve heard about this treatment mask or at least seen it on social media if you keep up with what’s popular in the skincare industry. It’s been a long-time player in the exfoliation category, and considering how effective it is, we get the hype. It’s formulated with a blend of fruit enzymes, lactic acid, and salicylic acid to provide chemical exfoliation, as well as silica to physically buff away dead skin cells.

When she first applied it to her skin, our tester experienced some stinging. The brand warns users that it will cause some tingling and potentially redness initially, but our tester was surprised by how intense it felt. People with sensitive skin: keep this in mind. However, these sensations didn’t last long, and our tester found that the formula worked wonders at exfoliating her skin to remove dead skin cell build-up and visibly improve the appearance of her pores without feeling stripping. She said that after using it, her skin looked really even and glowy. If you’re not bothered by the possibility of experiencing a bit of discomfort at first in the name of smooth, bright, exfoliated skin, we say this product is absolutely worth trying out.

Price at time of publish: $28, $98, $205

Benefits: Exfoliating, helps clear pores | Size: 0.5, 2 or 5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Multi-Purpose

Kora Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask

4.5

View On Amazon View On Sephora View On Koraorganics.com

Our Ratings

• Application
  4/5
• Feel
  4/5
• Efficacy
  5/5
• Appearance
  5/5

Products that can be used in multiple ways earn extra points in our book, and this exfoliating and brightening mask is one of them. It has the texture of a scrub, so it can be used as such in the shower or whenever you wash your face, and it can also be used as a treatment mask that you can leave on for about two minutes. The formula contains turmeric extract to help brighten the complexion and target hyperpigmentation, mineral powder for physical exfoliation, and aspen bark, a naturally occurring beta hydroxy acid (BHA) for chemical exfoliation.

The gritty texture strikes a nice balance between being too harsh, where it could cause damage, and too fine that it would be ineffective. Our tester noted that thanks to the even, gritty particles, it’s easy to apply without slipping and sliding around. Though she found the scrub component of this product to be really effective and not painful on her skin, she noted that she could see it being slightly abrasive for those with super sensitive skin. After applying it, she was extremely impressed by how even and radiant her skin looked—her pores appeared smaller, dead skin cells were removed, and her complexion looked brighter overall. We also love that if you do choose to use it as a treatment mask rather than a scrub, you only need to leave it on for two minutes, making it a great on-the-go option.

Price at time of publish: $62

Benefits: Brightens, exfoliates, helps fade dark spots | Size: 1 or 3.4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Sensitive Skin

Tatcha Violet-C Radiance Mask

4.6

View On Sephora View On Ecosmetics.com View On Kohls.com

Our Ratings

• Application
  4.5/5
• Feel
  5/5
• Efficacy
  4/5
• Appearance
  5/5

Like many skincare actives, vitamin C can be sensitizing on sensitive skin, but our tester, who has very sensitive skin, said this formula didn’t create any stinging or burning sensation—something she usually experiences upon initial application with similar products. She raved about the thick, creamy texture and how luxe it felt on the skin, not to mention the gorgeous purple color that adds a fun touch to the user experience.

The formula contains a mixture of two types of vitamin C, antioxidants, and a blend of fruit-derived AHA’s to help brighten the skin and provide gentle exfoliation. Our tester noticed an immediate improvement in the radiance of her complexion after using this mask, though she noted that the radiance didn’t seem to last more than a few hours after use. She also shared that it helped to calm red patches on her skin and help to even her tone.

Though it’s pricey for a product that doesn’t create major, long-lasting effects, we think it’s a fantastic option for people with sensitive skin who are looking to incorporate vitamin C into their skincare routine. It’s also undeniably luxurious, so it’s great for elevating your self-care routine.

Price at time of publish: $70

Benefits: Brightens, gently exfoliates, helps fade dark spots | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes