The 13 Best Face Masks for Men of 2020

Men everywhere are embracing the benefits of a consistent skincare routine, and with that comes a heightened interest in face masks. The step between cleansing and applying serum, masking can help address a wide range of skincare concerns—think breakouts, dryness, or excess oil—in a targeted way. Since formulas sit on the skin for 10, 20, even 30 minutes at a time, the active ingredients really have a chance to get to work. There are plenty of face masks for men to choose from, and the results are enough to prove that masking for men is no passing trend but is rather here to stay.

Below, we're sharing our list of the best face masks for men.

Best Overall: Herbivore Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarity Mask

This top-selling mask is ideal for concerns like acne, redness, and enlarged pores. That's thanks to its star ingredient blue tansy oil—a powerful anti-inflammatory that soothes the skin—which when paired with white willow bark and fruit enzymes gently exfoliate and resurface the skin. The lightweight gel texture delivers a subtle cooling sensation when applied—just imagine how much better it would feel still if stored in the fridge. We just love it.

Best Clay Mask: Aztec Secret Indian Healing Bentonite Clay

If you're an avid Byrdie reader then you know that the team is a huge fan of this budget-friendly clay mask. It has just one ingredient (bentonite clay) known for its detoxifying properties. Smooth this over your face to help decongest pores—it works like a charm. You could also use it on your body or hair, or even mix it with apple cider vinegar for even stronger results. Long story short: It's a versatile tub of clay that you want in your cabinet—trust.

Runner-Up, Best Clay Mask: Baxter of California Clay Mask AHA

From the brand widely known for its male grooming products comes this clay mask that doesn't skimp on benefits. It uses a combo of kaolin and bentonite clay to deep clean, while aloe leaf juice and witch hazel soothe and hydrate the skin. It's a detoxifying formula, so you can expect your skin to feel refreshed and uber-clean post-use, with a smoother and more even-looking appearance.

Best Budget: The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

Although this mask in on the affordable side, it’s incredibly effective. This 10-minute peeling gel exfoliates to reveal smoother textured skin over time. Potent glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids provide powerful treatment to resurface rough and textured skin. You get results without a major financial investment.

This formula is suggested for nighttime use only, and not recommended for sensitive skin types.

Best Splurge: Aesop Blue Chamomile Facial Hydrating Masque

Suitable for normal skin types and ideal for those with dry skin, this lightweight gel mask can be worn for 30 minutes and then wiped off. It can also be worn overnight as a treatment sleep mask that you wash off in the morning. Its main ingredient is niacinamide, which has anti-inflammatory, oil-controlling, and pore-minimizing benefits.

Best Oily Skin: Paula’s Choice Oil-Absorbing Mask

Bring balance to combination and oily skin with this mineral clay mask. In 10-15 minutes it manages excess sebum, debris, and unclogs congested pores. Natural kaolin and bentonite clays draw out impurities while glycerin hydrates. This mask does the trick without overdrying your skin. It leaves skin shine-free throughout the day and can be used multiple times a week.

Best for Breakouts: Bolden Clear Skin Clay Mask

If you deal with breakouts on the regular, this sulfur-packed acne mask can help. Sulfur, an ingredient approved by the FDA for the treatment of acne, eliminates the acne-causing bacteria on the skin's surface to treat existing breakouts and prevent new ones from forming. All the while bentonite clay draws out excess oil and surface impurities from dirt, product, and sweat buildup. Talk about an awesome tag team.

Best Exfoliating: Boscia Berry Blend Smoothing Facial

Boscia Berry Blend Smoothing Facial with 28% Acid Complex — Courtesy of Boscia

For dull, lackluster skin, reach for this exfoliating powerhouse formulated with a 28% acid complex. It harnesses the power of potent AHAs (glycolic acid) and BHAs (salicylic acid) to gently exfoliate, unclog, and minimize the appearance of pores. The 20-minute treatment can be used once or twice a week.

Best Moisturizing: Soft The Moisture Mask

Soft’s flagship mask was made specifically to add moisture and life back into dry, thirsty skin. Ginger and turmeric extracts add brightening and anti-inflammatory properties while hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and squalane provide lasting hydration. As a bonus, the creamy texture is non-messy and easy to apply.

Note: This is a rinse-off mask, but can also be worn overnight for extra hydration.

Best Gel Mask: Malin + Goetz Detox Face Mask

This mask dispenses as a gel but transforms into foam as it gets to work. Key ingredients like squalane and almond oil add moisture while vitamins E and C deliver antioxidant and brightening benefits. In other words, it purifies and deep cleanses skin without sacrificing hydration.

Best Sheet Mask: HETIME Revitalizing & Hydrating Face Mask

These sheet masks are designed specifically for men’s faces, leaving off the bottom half to avoid interfering with your facial hair. It uses moringa leaf extract, cedar oil, and baobab tree oil as its main ingredients, which work together to brighten, even the skin's tone, and reduce the appearance of blemishes. They're also super portable, so you can take them with you virtually anywhere.

Best Charcoal Mask: GLAMGLOW Supermud

This once Hollywood secret is a go-to for addressing problem skin. The cream textured mask removes dirt, toxins, and excess oil thanks to activated charcoal. K-17 clay helps wash away oil, while the six acid blend—including glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids—exfoliates and refines the skin's texture.

Best Natural: Golde Clean Greens Superfood Face Mask

The ingredients in this face mask read more like pantry staples than mask ingredients (chlorella, spirulina, mango juice) but that's exactly why we love its 100% pure edible superfoods-based formula. It's super clean, vegan, and works really well to gently detoxify the skin, fend off breakouts and environmental damage, and reveal an overall healthy-looking complexion.

The 15 Face Moisturizers for Men That Are Universal Crowd-Pleasers

13 Face Masks for Men That Promise Great-Looking Skin

Related Stories