According to Experts, These Are the Very Best Face Masks for Acne-Prone Skin

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Before we get into it, let’s get one thing straight: Everyone has acne. Not only are breakouts very normal, but the reality is that most people are dealing with them daily. If you’re reading this, I can only assume you’re in the midst of trying to establish a good skincare routine that targets this very issue. Good news is you’ve come to the right place! I spoke to some experts (read: board-certified dermatologists) and got the low-down and what the best face masks for acne are.

Now, my guess is that you’ve already got a face wash, serum, and moisturizer in your cabinet (but if you don’t I recommend checking out Cosmo’s 2023 Acne Awards for a breakdown of our recent fave products). So, what exactly makes a face mask different from the other products you have? Board-certified New York City dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman tells Cosmo that “Face masks are great additions to your skincare routine as they help target and control your skincare needs.” In other words, think of a face mask as a turbo boost for whatever your skin needs—whether that be hydration or (in the case of acne) clarification. Although face masks aren’t exactly a one-and-done solution, the right ones are great supplements to your existing routine—and we’ve got you covered on the ones you should have, depending on your needs.Below, shop our favorite expert-approved face masks to treat active acne and help prevent future breakouts.

Best Face Masks for Acne:

Best for acne overall: SkinCeuticals Clarifying Clay Mask

Best for dry skin: Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Mask

Best pore-refining mask: Proactiv Amazonian Clay Mask

Best at-home peeling mask: Drunk Elephant T. L.C. Sukari Babyfacial AHA + BHA Mask

Clarifying Clay Mask

This one right here folks is So. Good. This mask from SkinCeuticals uses natural earth clays and botanicals to unclog pores, remove impurities, and balance oil production. It’s calming and nourishing all at once. This is due to the 2% mixed fruit extracts (which include lactic, citric, and glycolic acids), as well as the inclusion of aloe and chamomile.

Saturn Sulfur and Niacinamide Acne Spot Treatment Mask

Containing a blend of key ingredients such as sulfur, niacinamide, zinc PCA, bentonite, and tea tree oil, this mask helps absorb excess sebum and reduce clogged pores, while also calming inflammation. This one is meant to be used as a 20-minute spot treatment and can be used wherever you want on your body as well (*cries in bacne*).

Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Mask

Remember, hydration is key! If you have dry skin or have been feeling like your skin is cracking and tight, you need to find a moisturizing product that relieves this. Dr. Jart’s hydrating mask contains ceramides, panthenol, and glycerin, which are all products that help support the skin barrier and nourish the skin.

T. L.C. Sukari Babyfacial AHA + BHA Mask

This is one of my all-time favorite masks because of how effectively it exfoliates and minimizes acne. As the name suggests, it’s basically a baby facial in a bottle that you can use once a week for a deep reset. The mix of AHAs and BHAs is a game-changer that will make your skin soft and glowy.

Acne Solutions Oil-Control Cleansing Mask

My oily girls, I got you. It can be difficult to trust products that won’t make you look mega greasy, but this oil-control cleansing mask is designed to do just that. It’s a clay-based mask that contains salicylic acid, which helps reduce blemishes and clogged pores while also combating oiliness and shine on the surface.

Vitamin C Lactic Biocellulose Brightening Treatment Mask

Vitamin C is one of those ingredients that is worth the hype IMO. If you’ve been searching for a way to fade acne scars, this biocellulose sheet mask with vitamin C and lactic acid is the brightening product you need in your lineup.

Pharma Calamine Pore Purging Mask

Using a combination of kaolin and bentonite clay, this mask is filled with ingredients that are gentle and soothing. Not only will it help minimize inflammation, but it also controls oil and targets blackheads thanks to the inclusion of salicylic acid and tea tree oil.

Clarifying Mask

I take my “treat yourself” mantra very seriously, and this Dr. Barbara Sturm Clarifying Mask is an investment I’m willing to splurge on every time. Made with balloon vine, viper’s bugloss, and sunflower seed oil, this mask acts as a perfect shot of hydration. Additionally, the inclusion of Zinc and Kaolin Clay help reduce redness and calm acne-prone skin.

Amazonian Clay Mask

This mask feels so good, you’ll be marking your calendar for the days you can slather this on! The luxuriously creamy, natural clay mask is designed to purify pores and leave your skin feeling ultra-clean, nourished, and moisturized.

Murad Rapid Relief Acne Sulfur Clay Mask

A winner of our 2023 Acne Awards, this Murad mask earned rave reviews by Cosmo’s associate editor Siena Gagliano. Part of why she loved it so much was thanks to how effective it was at reducing her acne after using this mask every other night for a week. Over time, she noticed that her pimples would dry out and leave her face looking less inflamed.

Hydro Boost Moisturizing Mask

Infused with hyaluronic acid, this Neutrogena moisturizing mask is a great way to give some extra TLC to your skin. This also relieves any dryness you might be experiencing from using other acne treatments. This is a great hydration boosting mask for those with oily, normal, and dry skin.

Bouncy + Firm Radiance Boosting Sleeping Mask

Allow me to wax poetic about sleeping masks for a sec. Not only do they do the work for you, but you get to sleep while the magic happens! This firming sleeping mask includes peony and collagen that delivers both overnight and long-term benefits for that bounce appearance. Oh, and did we mention it’s beloved by Miss Sydney Sweeney?

Superclay Purify + Clear Power Mask with Niacinamide

Infused with 2% niacinamide, this creamy clay mask is the at-home deep-cleaning product you’ve been looking for. For when you can’t get an actual facial, this clarifying mask will act as the next best thing. It’s exfoliating and purifying since it uses both salicylic acid and kombucha, but also soothing!

Salicylic Acid 2% Masque

Have you been feeling like your skin is missing the glow of it all? Don’t fret, dull skin is common when you’re dealing with acne, but this blend of salicylic acid, charcoal, and clay is just what you need to reboot. The Ordinary’s mask removes the buildup and dead skin when you apply and after removing it in 10 minutes you’ll notice your skin looks absolutely radiant.

Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask

I love a cooling gel mask that instantly makes you feel refreshed. This one in particular contains salicylic acid, fruit enzymes, and blue tansy which work in tandem to clear up acne by gently exfoliating and reducing redness. Plus, it feels amazing on your skin, trust!

How do face masks help treat acne?

First things first, a face mask shouldn’t be considered a one-step solution. Instead, a face mask should be viewed as a bonus to your existing skincare routine that targets your concerns. Dr. Dendy Engelman explains that a face mask is often “formulated with a high concentration of ingredients because they are typically wash-off masks and are only left to absorb into the skin for a certain length of time.” Dr. Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medicine adds that unlike other items, face masks aren’t meant to be used daily. She notes, “In general, face masks are designed to expose the skin to a key ingredient for a specific period to help unclog the pores and decongest the skin.”

What are the best ingredients to use on oily and acne-prone skin?

Everyone’s version of acne looks different, which means that the face mask you need might be different from someone else. If you have oily, acne-prone skin, Dr. Dendy Engelman tells Cosmo that it's best to look for ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and adapalene (a retinoid). But if hyperpigmentation is a main concern of yours, Dr. Dendy Engelman notes that an exfoliating or peeling mask might be best. For those dealing with inflammation, she recommends masks with salicylic acid that can help unclog pores. Make sure to layer a moisturizer on your skin after a more drying mask!

Is a cream face mask or sheet face mask better for acne?

It depends on what you’re looking for! When deciding between a sheet mask or a cream face mask, you should consider your target concern. Is your skin feeling dry? Sheet face masks are the way to go for instant relief and a boost of hydration. On the flip side, clogged pores and hyperpigmentation benefit from a cream face mask that can show more permanent results over time.

How can you get rid of acne fast?

Unfortunately, there is no easy fix to treating acne. The first step, Dr. Dendy Engelman explains to Cosmo, is to evaluate your skin and determine what type of acne you are dealing with by consulting a dermatologist. From there, you can learn more about what ingredients work best for your specific type of acne.

Although there is no magic way to clear your skin overnight, Dr. Marisa Garshick notes that applying a spot treatment containing ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide or using a pimple patch can help achieve quick results.

How to shop for the best face masks for acne?

Several different ingredients in face masks can help unclog pores and reduce inflammation, so it’s important to learn what works best for your skin. If you have acne-prone and oily skin, you should look out for face masks with ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and adapalene (a retinoid). For beauty shopping novices who don’t know their skin type, Dr. Dendy has a good rule of thumb you can use as a guiding tool. “Usually masks that are good for acne will have key callouts on the packaging like ‘detoxifying’ or ‘purifying’ and these are what you want to lean toward,” she explains. “And make sure to layer a moisturizer on your skin after a more drying mask.”

Meet the experts:

• Dr. Dendy Engelman is a board-certified New York City dermatologist, Mohs surgeon, and media expert who specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology.

• Dr. Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medicine.

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