Hollywood celebrities swear by putting on a face mask daily to help preserve their beautiful skin. But do they actually work and what’s the difference between the gazillions of face masks available? We’ve gathered and reviewed the research to help guide you.

Face masks can be sorted into roughly 7 different categories.

@kimkardashian via Instagram

Sheet Masks:

Sheet masks originated in South Korea and have been used throughout Asia in standard beauty routines for many years. Sheet masks are certainly the most versatile on the market, most other mask types are designed to resolve specific skin concerns. Whereas a sheet mask, depending on its formulation, can resolve nearly every different skin concern. They are usually made from either cellulose paper, cotton or silk and are saturated with effective ingredients. The lightweight sheet mask allows the serum to absorb for a longer duration of about approximately 10-25 minutes. The most common result from a sheet mask is super hydrated plumped skin, however, there are many different formulations designed for brightening, clarifying, firming and repairing. View our award-winning sheet masks here. 

• Pros:

• Non-invasive

• Immediate hydrating results

• Usually biodegradable

• Fun to do with girlfriends

• Intensive serum treatments

• Good value for money

• Very Versatile 

• Cons:

• Not as effective for skin resurfacing

• Topical skin solutions

Image source: Sex and the City 

Exfoliating Peels (Masks):

Exfoliating masks are most effective for anti-ageing and acne/blemish concerns. A good exfoliating mask should contain an AHA (and or BHA) such as aspartic acid, lactic acid or glycolic acid. These ingredients help to remove the outermost layers of the skin without the use of abrasive scrubbing elements, which cause the skin more damage than good. Aside from offering non-invasive exfoliation, these types of masks also provide natural skin brightening and firming effects. A key point to take into consideration is that most skincare products don’t efficiently soak into the skin without exfoliation. Instead of penetrating into the skin, the products sit on top of the outer layers only providing a topical solution. Exfoliating peels are a great way to also make the most of your (usually expensive) anti-ageing cream and serums. View our award-winning Red Wine Exfoliating and Refining Mask here.       

• Pros:

• Anti-ageing and Anti-acne

• Non-invasive

• effectively exfoliate the skin

• Improve skin absorption

• Help to firm the skin by improving collagen production

• Brighten the skin by removing dead cells and improving collagen production

• Cons:

• Not hydrating

• Cause the skin to burn quicker, you must wear sunscreen 

@Mirandakerr Via Instagram

Cream/Sleep masks:

Cream or sleep masks can be used for an extra hydration boost when the skin is super thirsty. For example, skin usually drys out and looks a bit duller during winter, so these can be a great way to maintain a summer glow all year round. Another great benefit to add is that cream masks usually activate the skin’s barrier function. Which helps to lock in the moisture being provided and protect the skin from daily pollutants and impurities. These products usually contain active ingredients which absorb while you sleep, providing regenerating effects overnight! 

Our Bee Venom Peptide Sleep Cream does just that, check it out here. 

@bellahadid via Instagram

Clay/Mud/Charcoal Masks:

Clay or mud masks are one of the more traditional types of face masks. There are a few different kinds of clays with bentonite and kaolin clay being the most common. The key purpose of a clay mask is to absorb toxins and remove daily impurities from your skin.

• Pros:

• Great for acne-prone skin

• Help to brighten the skin’s tone

• Deeply detoxify the skin

• Neutralise a shiny “T-Zone”

• Absorbs excess oil

• Cons:

• Can be drying

• Specific to oily skin

• Quite messy to apply

@Emmastone Via Facebook

Gel Masks

Gel Masks are mostly designed for general cooling, soothing and hydrating effects. Our V-face mask is a little different, it is designed to cool, soothe, hydrate and tighten the appearance of your jawline! Check it out here.

• Pros:

• Calms Redness

• Hydrating

• Relaxing

• Cons:

• Specific and temporary function

@lucyhale Via Instagram

Bubble Masks:

Bubble masks quite recently originated in South Korea, they usually have a gel texture that transforms into bubbling form once applied onto the face. They are a trend and it looks like fun, but generally, the foam does not have a skin effect and can sometimes irritate the skin, do to the foaming ingredients used.

Popular peel-off gold mask used by models.

Peel-off Masks:

A good peel-off mask can remove the outermost layers of the skin, however, do not have the ability to remove blackheads. Most recently, DIY peel-off masks have been made popular online. However, the ingredients used to make these can be incredibly harmful to the skin causing the skin’s barrier function to be damaged, which leads to irritation and premature ageing. Beware!