10 Best Face Masks for Acne of 2024 (Dermatologist-Reviewed)

If the product contains vitamin C, it can inhibit melanin production and reduce the appearance of acne scars. Tea-based masks contain vitamins C and E that fight free radicals caused by the skin’s exposure to UV rays. Vitamin A contains retinoids that can clean pores and reduce inflammation.

The skin rejuvenation properties of these vitamins restore your facial skin to a youthful state. Masks with green tea, zinc, or aloe vera are also found to reduce inflammation in acne-prone skin. 

Salicylic acid is well known as acne's worst enemy. It can heal acne-prone skin and prevent it from reappearing. Hyaluronic acid is another ingredient to look for in acne face masks; it ensures moisture retention without unwanted oils or drying out the skin. 

Alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic and lactic acids are also great for acne-prone skin. Glycolic acid is a great exfoliant added to masks to remove dead skin cells from the face and encourage the growth of new skin cells. Lactic acid also treats hyperpigmentation and age spots, leaving your skin spot-free.

These acids promote collagen production and can get the skin rid of excess pigmentation, eventually evening out your skin tone and brightening your face. 

Ingredients like ethylhexyl palmitate, isopropyl palmitate, and isopropyl myristate are commonly used emollients that usually show up in plant butters and oils such as shea or coconut or can be synthetically derived like mineral oil. They adjust the consistency and texture of cosmetic products and are best for those with dry, flaky skin. 

Every type of oil has a comedogenic level to it, meaning how likely it is to clog pores. However, every person's skin type is different and will react differently to each oil. For instance, a person with drier skin may need an oil that is more emollient than a person with oily skin who needs a low to non-comedogenic oil. 

If you have overly sensitive or acne-prone skin, it may be best to refrain from using face masks that add comedogenic ingredients like coconut oil, wheat germ oil, and shea butter as these have the potential to create further breakouts if not cleansed properly.

Either way and depending on your skin type, it is always good to know that this information is accessible and needed to further make a decision on what could work for your skin, especially if it is in your face mask. 

If you see lauric acid and lauroyl lysine in the ingredient list of your mask, you will want to be aware that these derivatives of coconut oil can clog pores, which may result in acne. Algae extract is another natural yet comedogenic ingredient that contains iodides that can irritate the skin's pores and create further inflammation, 

Lanolin oil, a natural sebum derived from the skin glands of sheep, is another ingredient that can be found in skincare. It is known for its healing properties in ointments for serious skin conditions; however, it could cause an allergic reaction or produce breakouts if applied to acne-prone and sensitive skin. 

Exfoliating masks containing ingredients such as glycolic acid can slough away dead skin cells and reduce redness caused by acne inflammation. Fruit enzymes also have redness-reduction properties that work without irritating the skin. They are great at reviving dull and damaged skin as well. 

Although oily skin is prone to acne and pustules that might be further aggravating by over-moisturizing, it's also important to retain some level of hydration. Products containing hyaluronic acid are good for those with oily skin. They gently moisturize the skin without encouraging the build-up of excess oil.

For those who want to fight signs of aging and create elasticity, you'll want to go for a face mask that has skin tightening properties and antioxidants. Alpha hydroxy acid and beta hydroxy acid are exfoliants that remove impurities from the outer layer of your skin. It is said that these are helpful in tightening the skin by promoting cell turnover.

Along with the vitamins and antioxidants such as vitamin A, B3, C, and E, these acids will help create a healthy barrier for your skin. 

The presence of fruit enzymes, vitamin C, niacinamide, and more can help those with pigmentation on their facial skin. These ingredients act as melanin inhibitors that reduce acne scars and improve skin tone. Regular use will leave your skin glowing, plump, and radiant.

If you have oily or acne-prone skin, you'll want to focus on clay and activated charcoal masks. Because both clay and activated charcoal are natural materials, these masks are favored by many and are easily accessible. They work well to deep cleanse and exfoliate the pores on your face to remove blackheads and whiteheads.

Clay absorbs excessive oils, reduces shine, and can clarify your pores. It is great for healing breakouts; however, it may not completely rid them. Bentonite and kaolin are two specific types of clay that help exfoliate and absorb oil, so you'll want to look for these!

Activated charcoal is known to remove bacteria by absorbing it completely from the skin, revealing a healthy glow. It is non-allergenic and can contain salicylic acid which is perfect for exfoliation. Just one application of clay or charcoal masks can give you a squeaky-clean and radiant face!

However, those with dry skin should be cautious of clay or activated charcoal masks because if overused, they can actually lead to over-exfoliation and drier skin. Everyone's skin, dry or not, can still react differently to clay and active charcoal agents, so it may be best to do a patch test. 

For dry skin, gentle exfoliation is the key to removing the dead skin layers that accumulate on your skin’s surface. However, as stated before, be careful to not over-exfoliate and be sure to follow up with proper hydration. It is suggested to use a chemical exfoliant at low doses once or twice a week to see how your skin reacts. 

Using a hydrating face mask, cream or gel-based mask should do the trick. These are usually packed with highly moisturizing ingredients that can sometimes be left on for longer periods of time for maximum benefits. You can also find sleep masks that are cream or gel-based and provide overnight treatment for that extra dry skin. 

For those with sensitive skin and conditions such as psoriasis, rosacea, or eczema, the form of the face mask is not as much of a concern as what the ingredients are inside of it. You will want to look for soothing and calming ingredients that can be easily absorbed by the skin without any redness or irritation. 

Chamomile, aloe, colloidal oatmeal, green tea, squalene, hyaluronic acid, and hemp seed oil are just the tip of the mountain of ingredients that can provide calming results. Make sure to keep these all at the forefront when choosing your face mask! 

However, if you do notice that your skin continues to break out, you'll want to pay closer attention to the ingredients to observe any patterns to prevent future irritation and perform a patch test if needed. 

Sheet masks formulated for acne contain healing ingredients such as tea tree oil, green tea, niacinamide, salicylic acid, and more. They are available for various skin types; most can unclog pores and calm acne-prone skin. They come as sheets of paper or cloth with ingredients that sink into the skin when applied.