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1
Best for blackheads
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mask
1
Best for blackheads
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mask
Now 18% Off
Credit: LookfantasticLa Roche-Posay owns the floor when it comes to easily enraged skin, and this clay-based face mask is a simple yet effective ally for banishing breakouts. Crucially, the kaolin-based creamy formula works on active blemishes – blackheads included – as well as preventing new ones from coming to a head.
2
Best for pre party
111 Skin Cryo De-Puffing Facial Mask
2
Best for pre party
111 Skin Cryo De-Puffing Facial Mask
Credit: 111 Skin111 Skin’s masks have graced the face of every A-lister you know – if you’re sceptical, just look at Instagram (and know the brand has never paid for an endorsement).
Every bit as good as Hollywood will have you believe, these serum-soaked hydrogel masks deliver a circulation-boosting peptide to your skin, eliminating puffiness and making you look instantly awake. Not just good for a big night – stick one in the fridge for the morning after, too.
3
Best for all-round improvements
Augustinus Bader The Face Cream Mask
3
Best for all-round improvements
Augustinus Bader The Face Cream Mask
Credit: Augustinus BaderAugustinus Bader, the man behind skincare’s biggest success story of recent years, has added a face mask to his blockbuster line. This dense, creamy formula contains the central TFC8 – a closely guarded cocktail of amino acids and vitamins – alongside rehydrating grape extract and brightening vitamin C. The results are skin that simply looks better: think less feathery forehead lines, refined texture, and the glow of someone that bathes in hyaluronic acid.
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4
Best for redness and sensitive skin
REN Clean Skincare Evercalm™ Ultra Comforting Rescue Mask
4
Best for redness and sensitive skin
REN Clean Skincare Evercalm™ Ultra Comforting Rescue Mask
Credit: REN Clean SkincareWhatever you’ve done to upset your skin, this reparative face mask is the apology it deserves. Designed especially for tantrum-prone complexions, it contains a cocktail of nice, calming ingredients – from white mushroom extract to beta glucans – that quell inflammation and repair the skin’s vital barrier. Clinical studies have shown it to reduce visible redness in as little as half an hour.
5
Best for congested skin
Horace Purifying Face Mask
5
Best for congested skin
Horace Purifying Face Mask
Credit: HoraceThis is the one to employ after a long week in the city. Horace's bright-blue purifying mask contains clay, antioxidant plant extracts and organic shea butter to soak up oil, smog and pollution while imparting hydration. A solid one-and-done treatment for weekly skin maintenance.
6
Best for dehydrated skin
Medik8 H.E.O.® Mask
6
Best for dehydrated skin
Medik8 H.E.O.® Mask
Credit: Medik8The boffins at Medik8 have formulated a stellar one-two punch for dehydrated skin (which isn’t the same as dry skin: the former lacks water while the latter lacks oil.) Much more than a pampering proposition, this duo comprises a humectant-rich gel that locks moisture into the skin, and an occlusive cream top layer that physically prevents TEWL (that’s trans-epidermal water loss). Apply both steps before bed and leave to work until morning: the result will be calm, hydrated skin with less feathery lines.
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7
Best for oily skin
Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask
7
Best for oily skin
Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask
Credit: Space NKHungary's thermal waters are famous for their healing powers – and if you just rolled your eyes, know said waters are actually rich in curative minerals that can treat inflammation amongst other issues.
The Budapest-based brand Omorovicza was one of the first to distill these medicinal waters into spa-standard products. Its Deep Cleansing Mask combines oil-absorbing kaolin clay with a host of minerals and vitamins to purge pores and calm irritated skin.
8
Best for acne
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
8
Best for acne
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
Credit: The OrdinaryClay and charcoal are great ingredients for physically mopping up excess oil, but for active breakouts you also want something that can tackle congestion from the source.
This dark-grey mask is boosted with salicylic acid, which brings down the redness and inflammation behind those breakouts. Apply it as a spot treatment to congested areas, or use it all-over for a deep clarifying treatment.
9
Best for firming and plumping
Royal Fern Phytoactive Hydra-Firm Intense Mask
9
Best for firming and plumping
Royal Fern Phytoactive Hydra-Firm Intense Mask
Credit: HarrodsDermatologist Dr. Timm Golueke has hinged his brand on a powerful antioxidant fern extract. This overnight mask (apply it just as you would a night cream when skin needs extra care) is boosted with chlorophyll – great for inflammation and acne – and a host of humectants to lock moisture in the skin, eliminating the morning’s pillow creases.
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10
Best for exfoliating
Murad Vita-C Triple Exfoliating Facial
10
Best for exfoliating
Murad Vita-C Triple Exfoliating Facial
Credit: SephoraMany products for congested skin are laden with alcohol, and simply strip the skin barrier into submission (not a good thing, trust us). Leave those harsh scrubs and foaming gels on the supermarket shelves, and invest in Murad’s excellent exfoliator-mask hybrid instead. Leave it to linger for 10 minutes, allowing the resurfacing enzymes to set to work, then massage into skin for a satisfying scrub.
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