If You're Breaking Out, These Sheet Masks Will Help ASAP

By
Erin Jahns
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Erin Jahns
Erin Jahns is a hair, makeup, and nails expert and beauty editor with over five years of experience in the industry. She is currently the senior beauty editor at WhoWhatWear.
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Updated on Oct 22, 2021
Reviewed by
Lucy Chen, MD
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Reviewed by Lucy Chen, MD

Lucy Chen, MD is a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami, FL. She specializes in Mohs surgery and cutaneous oncology.

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Sabrina Crews
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Fact checked by Sabrina Crews

Sabrina Crews is a copy editor and fact-checker. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Minnesota.

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You wouldn't use a cleanser or moisturizer specifically formulated for dry, flaky skin if you have an oily, acne-prone complexion, right? So sheet masks shouldn't be any different. Even though there's an ever-increasing number of fancy and innovative sheet mask formulas debuting in the skincare industry, it's still important to keep your eyes on the prize and select products that are specifically designed to nurture, enhance, and improve your particular skin type.

So if you've been wondering which sheet masks specifically target acne, we recommend opting for the formulas filled with acne-fighting ingredients. They'll not only fight current breakouts but also help prevent future ones as well. The best part? Many of them need to only be worn for 10 minutes or less, an easy ask when compared with other acne treatments.

Keep reading for the best sheet masks that treat acne.

Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Leaders AC Clear Treatment Mask at Ulta
Best Budget:
Yes To Tomatoes Acne-fighting Paper Mask at Walmart
Best Oil-Free:
Karuna Clarifying+ Facial Sheet Mask at Amazon
Best for Large Pores:
Too Cool For School Egg Cream Mask at IHerb
Best Soothing:
Sephora Collection Green Tea Face Mask at Sephora
Best for Hyperpigmentation:
Dr. Jart+ Dermamask Clearing Solution at Amazon
Best Purifying:
Talika Bio Enzymes Purifying Face Mask at Amazon
Best Splurge:
Erno Laszlo Detoxifying Hydrogel Mask at Amazon
Best Compression:
Dermovia Lace Your Face Facial Mask at Amazon

Best Overall: Leaders AC Clear Treatment Mask

Leaders AC Clear Treatment Mask

 Courtesy of Ulta
View On Ulta View On Sokoglam.com
What We Like

  • Full of natural ingredients

  • Gentle enough for sensitive skin

  • Balancing

What We Don't Like

  • Strong fragrance to some

Calming and hypo-allergenic, this acne-clearing sheet mask expertly relieves redness while keeping sensitive skin moisturized. Plus, it's gentle enough to incorporate as part of your daily skincare routine. 

Benefits: Soothes stressed and sensitized skin by calming redness and irritation | Active Ingredients: Water, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol | Skin Type: All | Size: 0.85 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

The Best Acne Products to Clear and Prevent Breakouts

Best Budget: Yes To Tomatoes Acne-fighting Paper Mask

Yes To Tomatoes Clear Skin Acne Fighting Sheet Mask

 Courtesy of Amazon
View On Walmart

Key Ingredients

Tomato extract is rich in carotenoids, like lycopene and beta carotene. It helps protect skin from UV damage, regulates sebum production, and prevents collagen deterioration.

What We Like

  • Prevents new pimples from forming

  • Infused with witch hazel

  • Makes the skin feel clean

What We Don't Like

  • Can make eyes burn a bit

FYI: Clear, pimple-free skin doesn't get more affordable than this. Enriched with acne-busting ingredients like tomato extract and salicylic acid, this sheet mask kills two birds with one stone, fighting existing breakouts and preventing future breakouts from forming in the first place.

Benefits: Controls pimples and blackheads | Active Ingredients: Salicylic Acid 0.5% | Skin Type: Acne-Prone, Oily | Size: 0.67 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Oil-Free: Karuna Clarifying+ Facial Sheet Mask

Karuna Clarifying+ Face Mask

 Courtesy of Ulta
View On Amazon View On Revolve.com
What We Like

  • Clarifying

  • Powerful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties

  • Full of plant extracts

What We Don't Like

  • Can make the skin sting

If you're trying to control acne, it's best to steer clear of oily skin products. This oil-free pick is designed to fight blemishes with powerful agents like hyaluronic acid, peptides, aloe vera, and chamomile. The result: lessened breakouts, enhanced radiance, and improved hydration levels. 

Benefits: Helps control excess oil produced by stressed skin to help deep clean pores and clogged skin | Active Ingredients: Chamomile Extract, Honey Extract | Skin Type: Acne-Prone | Size: 0.95 oz. per sheet | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Best for Large Pores: Too Cool For School Egg Cream Mask Pore Tightening

Too Cool For School Egg Cream Mask Pore Tightening

 Courtesy of Ulta
View On IHerb
What We Like

  • Creates smooth and supple skin

  • Works quickly

  • Makes the face glow

What We Don't Like

  • Not for sensitive skin

A great clarifying sheet mask for acne-prone skin, this one from Too Cool for School specifically targets larger-than-you'd-like pores and excess sebum. The sheet is made from baby-soft microfiber (for ultimate comfort) and it's chock-full of skin-improving fare like egg white, vinegar, and witch hazel extracts.

Benefits: Gently minimizes pores | Active Ingredients: Butylene Glycol, Glycerin | Skin Type: Acne-Prone | Size: 0.98 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

The Best Pore Minimizers for a Smooth Complexion

Best Soothing: Sephora Collection Green Tea Face Mask

Sephora Collection Green Tea Face Mask

 Courtesy of Sephora
View On Sephora
What We Like

  • Hydrating

  • Fights dullness

  • Has a second-skin feel

What We Don't Like

  • Smell is unappealing to some

Greasy skin and stubborn blemishes are practically synonymous. This green-tea-infused sheet mask tackles both head-on, soothing existing acne and nixing excess oil for a calm, cool, and collected matte finish.

Benefits: Protects skin against environmental pollutants | Active Ingredients: Green Tea Extract | Skin Type: All | Size: 2.0 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for Hyperpigmentation: Dr. Jart+ Dermamask Micro Jet Clearing Solution

Dr. Jart+ Dermamask Micro Jet Clearing Solution

 Courtesy of Sephora
View On Amazon View On Sephora
What We Like

  • Soothes redness

  • Even and consistent absorption of active ingredients

  • Full of antioxidants

What We Don't Like

  • Results not drastic to some

Try this editor-approved mask and bid blemishes adieu. This sheet mask for acne by Dr. Jart+ utilizes tea tree oil, niacinamide, and salicylic acid to heal skin concerns like hyperpigmentation and shine.

Benefits: Corrects uneven skin tone | Active Ingredients: Salicylic Acid, Glutathione | Skin Type: Acne-Prone | Size: 1 .0 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

The 17 Best Acne Spot Treatments to Zap Pimples Fast

Best Purifying: Talika Bio Enzymes Purifying Face Mask

Talika Bio Enzymes Purifying Mask

Courtesy of Amazon 
View On Amazon
What We Like

  • Has a second-skin effect

  • Smells good

  • Makes skin look visibly purified

What We Don't Like

  • Results not drastic enough to some

From French skincare line Talika comes the Queen B of all sheet masks for acne. Fortified with the likes of peptides, vitamin E, grapefruit, and hyaluronic acid, this pick troubleshoots your skin's concerns—on the dot. 

Benefits: Fights excess sebum and small skin imperfections | Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E | Skin Type: Combination, Oily | Size: 0.7 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Splurge: Erno Laszlo Detoxifying Hydrogel Mask

Erno Laszlo Detoxifying Hydrogel Mask

Courtesy of Amazon
View On Amazon View On Nordstrom
What We Like

  • Antioxidant-rich

  • Detoxifying

  • Adds radiance to the skin

What We Don't Like

  • Too slippery to handle well

This luxe sheet mask for acne from Erno Laszlo expertly adheres to the contours of the face and claims to eradicate impurities, blemishes, and excess oils without irritating the skin. Members of the all-star cast include a skin-renewing AHA fruit complex,charcoal, kiwi extract, and glutathione. Radiant skin ahead!

Benefits: Leaves the skin clear and renewed | Active Ingredients: Grapefruit Extract, Lime Extract | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.1 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Compression: Dermovia Lace Your Face Facial Mask

Dermovia Lace Your Face Facial Mask

Amazon
View On Amazon
What We Like

  • Anti-aging formula

  • Biodegradable

  • Easy to use

What We Don't Like

  • Ear straps are a bit tight

It's official: Wearing lace on your face can lend itself to lessened oil and cleared-up skin. Infused with mulberry leaf, lentil seed extract, and vitamin C, this compression mask stretches glamorously across the face while simultaneously saving a problematic complexion. 

Benefits: Rescues and renews skin for a clearer and smoother complexion | Active Ingredients: Mulberry Leaf, Lentil Seed Extract, Vitamin C | Skin Type: Acne-Prone, Sensitive | Size: 2.08 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

What to Look for in a Sheet Mask for Acne

Acne-fighting ingredients

In order to treat acne, you need acne-fighting ingredients. Opt to choose formulas that are made with ingredients that help eliminate and treat acne. AHAs (salicylic acid, glycolic acid, etc.) and green tea are just some of the ingredients that will help rid your skin of pesky breakouts. These ingredients may also help with other skin conditions, like hyperpigmentation.

Comfortable Wear

A mask that wears comfortably can enhance the self care experience. Look for masks that appear to be cut to the size of your face or are designed to adhere to its contours.

Formula

Because there are so many different sheet masks out there, make sure you choose the ones that are designed to treat acne. They'll typically contain acne-fighting ingredients and work to treat and prevent breakouts. Try to also find a formula that claims to clarify or purify and helps reduce excess sebum production, which can cause more oil (and breakouts).

FAQ
  • Do sheet masks really work?


    Sheet masks allow the serum to be distributed more evenly and absorbed directly into the skin. This lets the acne-fighting ingredients (or whatever ingredients treat your skin condition) to go to bat in treating those pesky breakouts.

  • Can I reuse a sheet mask?

    No, you should not reuse a sheet mask. When you place the sheet mask on your face, it's likely that it will absorb dirt and bacteria. While taking the excess serum from the package is totally fine, you shouldn't reuse the actual mask, as it can potentially reintroduce bacteria and dirt onto your skin.

  • Should sheet masks be refrigerated?

    They don't have to be stored in the fridge, but it won't hurt. When you put them on after refrigerating, the cool temperatures may give you an added cooling effect, which can potentially reduce some puffiness.

Find Out What a Sheet Mask Can Do for Your Skin
Article Sources
Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

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  6. Fox L, Csongradi C, Aucamp M, du Plessis J, Gerber M. Treatment modalities for acne. Molecules. 2016 Aug 13;21(8):1063. doi:10.3390/molecules21081063

  7. Jensen GS, Shah B, Holtz R, Patel A, Lo DC. Reduction of facial wrinkles by hydrolyzed water-soluble egg membrane associated with reduction of free radical stress and support of matrix production by dermal fibroblasts. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2016 Oct 14;9:357-366. doi:10.2147/CCID.S111999

  8. Thring TS, Hili P, Naughton DP. Antioxidant and potential anti-inflammatory activity of extracts and formulations of white tea, rose, and witch hazel on primary human dermal fibroblast cells. J Inflamm (Lond). 2011 Oct 13;8(1):27. doi:10.1186/1476-9255-8-27

  9. Kim S, Park TH, Kim WI, Park S, Kim JH, Cho MK. The effects of green tea on acne vulgaris: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Phytother Res. 2021;35(1):374-383. doi:10.1002/ptr.6809

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