Types of face masks, and what each one is for
Most face masks fit into a handful of types: sheet, clay, cream, gel, peel-off film, peel-off jelly and overnight. Sheet, gel and jelly masks are mostly about hydration and a cool feel. Clay takes up surface oil. Cream masks and overnight masks suit dry skin. Film masks are for the peel. The best one is the one that matches how your skin feels now.
A review of cosmetic facial masks sorts them into four broad groups: sheet, peel-off, rinse-off and hydrogel. Here's how that plays out on the shop shelf.
| Type | Comes off | Often picked for |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet | Lift off, pat in the rest | Quick hydration, travel |
| Hydrogel | Lift off | A less drippy sheet |
| Clay | Rinse off | Shine, oily days |
| Cream | Rinse or tissue off | Dry skin |
| Gel | Rinse off | A cool, light feel |
| Film peel-off | Peel | A satisfying peel |
| Jelly peel-off | Peel in one piece | A salon-style, cool ritual |
| Overnight | Rinse off in the morning | Dry skin, low effort |
Sheet masks
A fabric or fibre sheet soaked in serum. They're ready in seconds and need no bowl or rinse, which is why they travel so well. The fit is one size for every face, and each one means a sheet and a sachet in the bin. We compare them with jelly in jelly mask vs sheet mask.
Hydrogel masks
A gel sheet rather than a fabric one. It clings better and drips less than most sheet masks. Don't confuse it with hydro jelly: the names are explained here.
Clay masks
A paste, usually made with kaolin or bentonite, that sits on your skin and takes up oil. If you're shiny by lunchtime, this is the classic pick. Left on too long, it can leave skin feeling tight. See clay vs peel-off.
Cream masks
Think of a thick moisturiser that you leave on for a while, then take off. These suit skin that's dry and feeling rough, and they tend to be gentle unless they carry strong added ingredients. They don't give you much of an experience, but they don't ask much of you either.
Gel masks
A light, often clear gel. It feels cool, particularly from the fridge, and rinses off easily. These are a nice choice on a hot day. Like most masks, what they do depends on the label.
Film peel-off masks
A tube of gel that dries into a thin film and peels off. They're fun, and they've also earned most of the complaints in this category, because the film grips as it comes away. We go through this in are peel-off masks bad for your skin?
Jelly masks
This is what we make. It's a powder that you mix with water, which sets into a cool, rubbery layer and peels in one piece. It's the same family as the masks used at the end of many salon facials. It needs a bowl and a little practice. More on what a jelly mask is, or see our formulas.
Overnight masks
A rich gel or cream that stays on while you sleep. It works much like a heavier moisturiser, and asks almost nothing of you beyond a clean pillowcase. See sleeping masks vs peel-off masks.
How to pick
- Skin feels tight or thirsty: a hydrating jelly, sheet, cream or overnight mask. Our dry skin page has the formulas we'd start with.
- Shiny and oily: clay, or a light gel if your skin doesn't like being dried out. Here's our take on oily skin.
- Hot and flushed-feeling: something cool and simple, with a short ingredient list. See why your face flushes first if this happens a lot.
- You just want a nice night in: pick whichever one you'll enjoy. That's a good enough reason, and here's how we'd do it.
- Skin that reacts easily: whichever you choose, read the label, patch test, and try one new thing at a time.
Questions
Which type of face mask is best?
There isn't a best type overall. Match it to how your skin feels: hydrating masks for tight skin, clay for shine, and something cool and simple if you're hot and flushed.
What's the difference between a peel-off mask and a wash-off mask?
A peel-off mask sets or dries into a layer you lift away in one go. A wash-off mask, such as clay or cream, stays soft or dries as a paste and comes off with water.
Can you use more than one type of mask?
Yes, on different days, or on different parts of your face. Go slowly with anything containing retinoids or exfoliating acids, and don't stack those on the same day.
This is general information, not medical advice. If you're worried about your skin, see your GP or a skin specialist.
Sources
- Skin care and rejuvenation by cosmeceutical facial mask, Nilforoushzadeh and colleagues, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2018