PPE Protection
Our top-rated hydrating face mask from Elemis delivered ultra-hydrating, glowing skin for our panel. The formula is powered by a small brown algae called padina pavonica, which is used across the brand’s pro-collagen collection. We put 26 market-leading face masks to the test over two weeks with the help of over 300 readers. They were a mix of clarifying and hydrating formulas, which we’ve separated out in our list below. For each, we asked our panellists to assess ease of use, design and how well each mask locked in hydration or cleared their skin.
When she is not writing about the latest expert reviewed products, you can find her rifling through vintage shops or car boots, reading a print magazine, or capturing portraits on her film camera. Forget having to get an appointment at the spa, as you can get the same results you’d expect from a very expensive salon facial with these luxurious sheet face masks, according to one panellist. If you would like to know where to buy health face masks, get them from UK Meds.
- Here, I’ve put several face masks to the test, to bring you my pick of the best.
- This is useful when it comes to using moisture-based actives such as hyaluronic acid, but isn’t always necessary.
- In my reviews, I always offer my honest opinion and will only recommend products that I have found to be effective while offering good value for money.
- Available in an array of designs and fabrics, these masks provide a reliable, reusable, and stylish alternative to standard disposable masks.
askology squalane sheet mask
There are hundreds on the market, all boasting different claims, from brightening and cleansing to hydrating and softening. So, the Good Housekeeping Institute recruited a panel of readers to help them test the leading brands. We challenged them to set up a spa from home and get pampering to help us find the best – tough gig, eh? See below for a glance at the masks that impressed on test but read on for the (g)low down on which to choose for your skin type, sensitivities and goals.
Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Please note that calming whale sounds and soothing scents of a bergamot diffuser are not included in the package but can (and in fact, should) be added to enhance the immersive salon experience from home. We then pulled together all the scores to find our favourites in each category, all marked with the GHI Approved logo. At UK Meds, we work with fully registered UK pharmacies and experienced medical professionals to ensure your prescriptions are managed safely and with the utmost care. Our registered independent prescribers handle all consultations and prescriptions.
Best overnight mask
This blue-tinged treatment may have you looking like a Smurf for the 10-minute application time, but after washing off, one tester said it left their skin feeling softer and looking brighter. Another liked that it managed to reduce redness in existing spots, which is great for taming flare-ups. Then this affordable yet effective face mask from Simple is the one for you. As you’d expect, the brand keeps things pared back when it comes to ingredients – it includes skin-brightening handmade clothing antioxidants such as vitamin C and E, as well as natural clays for drawing out impurities. It’s free from any perfume, harsh chemicals or artificial colours, making it suitable for sensitive skin, too. Formulated with salicylic acid, this mask is an effective yet gentle exfoliator that removes dead cells from the skin’s surface, to leave it glowing.
Whether you’re a professional looking for the highest grade of protection or a parent seeking masks for your little ones, we have you covered. There’s the benefit of having the ingredients on the skin through the skin rejuvenation phase in your sleep stages, and “skin will look and feel more rested” in the morning. The Outset is a skincare brand co-founded by actress Scarlett Johansson, who probably knows a thing or two about the impact blemishes can have on confidence in front of the camera. The brand focuses on formulas for sensitive but stubborn skin, and this smooth, clarifying clay mask is a great example of that approach.
DEWALT Moulded FFP3 NR D Valved Disposable Masks P3 10 Pack(718JE)
For any clarifying claims, we applied oil to a test area of the skin, took a reading on our sebum meter, then applied the mask for the recommended time and washed it off. We then took a second reading on our sebum meter to measure the oil residue left behind, helping us determine how effective each mask was at clearing the skin. The top-end for filtration are FFP3 masks, and they are (at the time of writing) an affordable £7.50 above. The WHO doesn’t recommend any particular type of mask, they consider cloth masks to be acceptable.
You don’t have to spend eight hours in bed before feeling the hydrating effects either, as many testers said their skin felt moisturised immediately after application. Our panellists liked that it comes with a spatula to help with dispensing the product, as well as being more hygienic, leading to less unwanted breakouts. This mask also scored top in the lab for hydration levels four hours after application.
I applied it to my freshly cleansed skin without any serum or moisturiser underneath, and applied a layer all down my face and neck. The idea is for it to slightly exfoliate but to mainly soothe, protect the skin barrier, and bind moisture – the result of which is soft, glowing skin. The overnight formula has been developed to help you wake up with refreshed, smooth and hydrated skin, and according to one of our testers, the results last all day.



