Sooth away dry skin, maskne, and all the other issues that can make your face feel lackluster. These clean face masks are just the thing to let your natural beauty shine.
When it comes to face masks, the offerings can be overwhelming. From all the different types of clay to sheet masks and all the rest of it. Should you use a pre-mixed mask, a powder, or DIY your own? And do they even really work?
Do face masks improve skin?
The short answer is: maybe. There’s no miracle cure for skin issues, and it really depends on what the mask is being used for. Does your skin need a bit of moisture? Are you trying to mitigate breakouts? Or is it just the pause a little glow-up time can give you that makes it worthy?
Depending on what your aim is with a face mask will make measuring results easier. Most experts suggest masking once a week at most, but talk with your dermatologist if there are specific conditions you’re pinpointing with a face mask.
What type of mask is best?
There are a few types of masks. Clay will help to pull out impurities and can dry the skin. It may make speed the healing of acne blemishes, but be careful as overdrying can cause the skin to produce more oils and lead to more breakouts.
Masks that peel—typically those high in vitamin C—can help to purify and refresh dull skin. But be careful on sensitive or broken skin as these can exacerbate issues.
There are also hydrating masks—think your grandmother’s cold cream—that just deliver a deep dose of soothing ingredients like oils and aloe.
Ingredients play a big part in mask efficacy, and at Ethos, we believe less is more. Simple, clean, and organic ingredients whenever possible give your skin the boosts it needs without harsh synthetics that can over-dry and perpetuate issues.
If you’re looking for the most sustainable option, skip the single-use sheet masks. While they can be fun ways to deliver a boost of nutrients to the skin, they’re typically ingredients you can find in a good serum or toner that can come in a more eco-friendly container.
Check out these best clean, vegan, and sustainable face masks.
1. Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask
This hydrating mask from Youth to the People goes on at night to deeply hydrate, plump, and brighten skin with its powerful blend of antioxidant-rich superberries. It also is equipped with THD ascorbate, which is a clinically-proven form of stable vitamin C. Not only does it nourish my poor skin it also helps even skin tone.
Youth to the People is committed to responsible sourcing and uses as many local ingredients as possible. It also uses glass through its product line, instead of plastic, and uses post-consumer content for its packaging.
2. Glossier Mega Greens Galaxy Pack
Reach for this mask from Glossier anytime your skin is feeling a bit congested. It is dubbed a juice cleanse for your face, after all. The White Kaolin Clay gently cleanses while the vitamin-rich leafy greens and superfruit antioxidants work to nourish the skin. The clay helps to draw out excess oil and impurities and it’s particularly good for those of us with oily skin. It leaves skin soft and clean but not overdried.
3. Truly Vegan Collagen Anti-Aging Jelly Face Mask
Oh, those dreaded fine lines and wrinkles. Why do they have to be a thing? If you are looking to combat the natural wear and tear on your skin this vegan collagen face mask from Truly is worth a try. In the past few years, collagen has risen in popularity in beauty and wellness products for its plethora of benefits, including its skin positive properties. This jelly mask is formulated with vegan collagen, retinol, and vitamin C, which are all anti-aging ingredients that work to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while brightening and resurfacing the skin as well.
4. Bambu Earth Overnight Eye mask
Our eyes need love, too. Many of us are struggling with juggling tasks and lack of sleep and our faces are looking tired. Combat those under-eye bags and dehydrated skin with this eye mask from Bambu Earth. It is rich in vitamin A and fatty acids, which work together to help regenerate skin cells. The black cumin seed oil offers skin healing properties and helps to reduce the appearance of discoloration. The blackberry seed oil is used to help improve elasticity and serves up major antioxidants.
Bambu Earth carefully selects and sources all of its ingredients and ensures that fair labor practices are enforced through its supply chain. The take into account human, planet, and animal health will all its ingredient harvesting, as well.
5. Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask
If you’re a fan of peels, no one does a peel better than Tata Harper, and this resurfacing mask gives an instant glow and smoothness that feels like you’ve spent hours in a chair getting a facial—but it all happens in mere minutes! Fruit acids, essential oils, and a range of botanicals make this a little pot of skin magic. Tata Harper’s commitment to sustainability revolves around its formulas—clean ingredients and biodegradable finished products mean it’s gentler on your skin and on the planet.
6. Josh Rosebook Cacao Antioxidant Mask
Get ready to fall in love—like, really in love. This Josh Rosebook mask is one of the most incredible skin treatments on the planet. It’s bursting with botanicals including rose petals, turmeric, goji berry powder, ashwagandha, and so much more—including cacao powder aka chocolate. Rich in antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins, cacao can stimulate the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines while also pulling out impurities. Josh Rosebrook puts a focus on natural and organic ingredients that are biodegradable, fair trade, and consciously grown. All shipping boxes are made from 100 percent recycled materials and all packaging is 100 percent recyclable.
7. Herbivore Blue Tansy Mask
It’s possible the real reason to love this mask is because of its blue color. But that’s not a bad thing, is it? Blue is an inherently calming color, and that’s true here in this vegan mask from Herbivore. Its calming benefits make it great for sensitive or combination skin. Use it too if you got yourself too much sun or your skin is over-dried. Rich in naturally sourced BHA and fruit enzymes, it brings a soothing clarity and minimize pores. Made with food-grade and organic botanicals whenever possible, Herbivore also pledged to go zero-waste last year. By 2025, all packaging with either be able to be recycled or reused and contain recycled materials.