When a bout of acne flares up, those of us with blemish-prone will try anything to soothe the situation.
We’ve tried spot creams, clarifying cleansers, zit stickers and of course, the immediately regrettable poking, squeezing and prodding. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that face masks for acne is one of the most common searches around the topic.
First and foremost, what is acne?
Dr Derrick Phillips explains, “Acne is a common skin conditions affecting people of all ages. It occurs due to a sequence of events involving the pores, hair follicles and oil producing glands”. He continues, “Our oil glands work by releasing sebum which travels up the hair, out of the pore and onto our skin, where it helps with lubrication and protection. Keratin build-up and sebum production from the sebaceous glands, clogs the pores and creates an environment in which bacteria thrives. This process is responsible for the blackheads, whitehead, pimples, pus filled spots, nodules and cysts that are typical of acne. Rupture of the blocked pores leads to scarring.”
While there are many causes, from hormonal and pore-clogging pollution, to overly harsh skincare and diet, it is a concern that the majority of us will encounter as according to the NHS, “About 95 per cent of people aged 11 to 30 are affected by acne to some extent” - and it’s clear that this doesn’t end when you leave your teenage years.
So what can you do?
In order to preclude further breakouts, whether around your time of the month or if you are looking for healing post flare-up, a face mask may just do the trick. Applied once or twice a week, it treats your complexion to antibacterial pimple-busting ingredients that offer a deep clean of the pores, while also removing excess oil and providing an anti-redness, anti-inflammatry solution to calm irritation. This is all while leaving a healthy glow in its wake.
As is always the case when incorporating new products into your routine if you are using prescription acne products, check with your dermatologist first.
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Pai Skincare Dinner Out Copaiba and Kaolin Blemish Mask
Pai Skincare was founded to create efficacious solutions to those with sensitivies and as such you can count on this mask to pack a punch without excacerbating acne or blemishes. It is made for oily and combination skin types to decongest and soothe. As soon as you apply this creamy texture onto your skin, it will thank you for its calming properties, while also getting to work dissolving impurities and leaving you glowing. This is all without drying out the skin.
Buy now £29.00, Pai Skincare
Skinceuticals Clarifying Clay Masque
Acne products are generally harsh on the complexion and can lead to flakiness and dryness, but not with Skinceuticals. This is a clay mask by name but without the stripping connotations. It instead uses earth clays kaolina and bentonite that have been infused with botanicals and minerals as well as a gentle exfoliant hydroxy acid to lift dirt and grime from the day and excess oils that may be causing breakouts to occur. The addition of aloe vera and chamomile will be appealing to those with inflammation. Skin is left clearer, radiant and with a matte finish.
Buy now £65.00, Skinceuticals
Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Sleepair Intensive Mask
Call on the Korean beauty experts at Dr.Jart+ to have your back when skin is irritated. Be it as a result of blemishes or scars left behind after squeezing, this mask will calm redness with its moisture-enriching gel texture. Apply overnight, even on sensitive skin, and it harnesses the power of tiger grass to soothe and calm as well as hydrate - something that will come particularly welcome after using harsh spot treatments. It is immediately soothing, tones down redness and counteracts dullness.
Buy now £33.00, Dr.Jart+
Fresh Umbrian Clay Purifying Mask
If you have oily skin and tend to find hormonal breakouts par for the course in your cycle, you will notice improvements by incorporating this clay mask into your routine. The formula is rich in minerals and soothing ingredients like chamomile flower, sandalwood oil and lavender water and these ensure that while you are clarifying the skin and purging impurities, you are doing so without causing further irritation. The Umbian clay at its heart is a detox for the skin, mininising the appearance of pores, counteracting shine and purifying in just the three to five minute treatment.
Buy now £49.00, Space NK
Dr. Barbara Sturm Clarifying Mask
For a cleaner, clearer complexion, call in dermatologist led label Dr Barbara Sturm with the A-lister seal of approval. This mask was created to provide balance to the complexion and while it will aid in reducing breakouts, it will hydrate at the same time - something you don’t often find in a product of this type.
It is made up of zinc, kaolin and lentil extract that work to control the production of sebum, while also minimising the appearance of pores and there’s even fine line-filling properties too by hydrating and plumping wrinkles. An all-rounder that will form a staple part of your skincare routine.
Buy now £120.00, Cult Beauty
Aesop Chamomile Concentrate Anti-Blemish Mask
If the attractive apothecary-style packaging that the brand is known and loved for isn’t enough to land this product in your virtual basket, then the soothing clay formula might just be. Designed to nip future breakouts in the bud, it draws out pore-clogging impurities and clears them away with antibacterial tea tree leaf, rosemary sage and lemon peel. This causes a slight tingle on application but thanks to soothing chamomile and evening primrose extract, it remains gentle and counteracts redness. Ideal for oily and acne-prone skin types, it leaves a smoother, clearer result.
Buy now £33.00, Cult Beauty
Alpha-H Clear Skin Blemish Control Mask
Used preventatively and this mask will be your best friend in the fight against pesky spots appearing - whether they’re caused by stress, diet or hormones. The Blemish Control formula has a gentle resurfacing effect that can even be used on sensitive skin. In fact, it is one of the few clay masks that won’t cause irritation.
Tea tree and eucalyptus contained within the product have antiseptic properties to remove toxins and balance out oily and acne-prone complexions, while white clay takes this to the next level. Rounded off with aloe vera, the Alpha-H hero calms inflammation. One for a quick anti-redness fix before a big night out.
Buy now £40.00, Amazon
Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Mask
For the most troublesome complexions, Paula’s Choice has created this creamy mask to be packed with minerals clays (kaolin to be precise) to absorb oil and provide a thorough declogging of pores. Glycerine that mimics what is naturally found in the skin has hydrating effects, while willow bark extract and its BHA salicin content is known for its exfoliating properties and is the ingredient you will be calling on for clearer skin. By having these two go hand in hand in this formula, you are getting a mask that will tackle breakouts, blackheads and pores without any downtime.
Buy now £24.00, Paula’s Choice
Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask
Why is it always before an important work meeting or a big date that breakouts occur? With this mask, you are not only giving your complexion a treat of Hungary’s finest ingredients but you’re allowing yourself to take a few minutes of self-care relaxation that should counteract the stressful feeling that may exacerbate the forming of zits.
White moor mud is the star ingredient and is rich in calcium, magnesium and nutrients to detoxify congested skin, clear out pores and minimise sebum production for a healthy finish. The texture is easily applied and the scent is subtle but pleasant, making this a pampering experience from start to finish, but one that really works too.
Buy now £72.00, Space NK
The Body Shop Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Night Mask
There is an entire range at The Body Shop devoted to tea tree and its antibacterial, antiseptic properties that have long been lauded by those with acne-prone skin. In this mask, the brand encourages you to rouse from your slumber with clear, refined skin thanks to the overnight product that banishes blemishes. The gel-cream texture glides onto the skin and feels calming and soothing as soon as it’s applied. In just a few uses, you should notice the reduction in redness and irritation and you’ll wake up with smoother skin.
Buy now £12.00, The Body Shop
