These Are The Face Masks That Work On Acne

Any brand reframing the concept of 'problem-prone' skin instantly makes it into my good books, but Scandi newcomer Mantle gets a seal of approval for more than its skin-positive stance.

Hammering home the fact that breakouts aren't a marker of morality, nothing in the line promises to 'fix' your skin – instead, you'll find products that'll bring down inflammation (via the star ingredient, cannabidiol) and rebalance the barrier while feeling truly indulgent. This creamy mask smells like lemon sherbert and works so well to hydrate and calm skin post-retinol or acid. Leave it to work overnight, or apply a thicker layer and use it as a wipe-off treatment.

Probiotics-based skincare brand Tula has seamlessly slipped into my regular rotation – the whole line is ideal for reactive, tantrum-prone complexions.

This swipe-on stick is the perfect lazy-girl's treatment: simply scribble it over blackheads and oily, congested areas, then sit back and let the blend of witch hazel and apple cider vinegar deeply cleanse those pores.

This gentle cream formula works as both your cleanser and a treatment mask, depending on how long you leave it on for. I like to remove my make-up before applying, then letting it soak in to quell inflammation and angry redness. A brilliant SOS treatment for days in the midst of hormonal terror.

I'm deathly allergic to Tiktok hacks, but this is the one that actually won me over. Finally back in stock, Caudalie's clarifying mask might have found fame thanks to its 'grammable pink hue, but it's the blackhead-vanquishing powers that keep me slathering it on.

Formulated with papaya enzymes (a gentler alternative to glycolic acid) alongside clay, it'll make a remarkable difference to overly enlarged pores and sweep away those pesky black dots in one fell swoop.

Dr. Sam Bunting creates some of the most trust-worthy products for tricky skin available without a prescription. This fragrance-free mask is focused on fixing dehydration, which goes hand-in-hand with many acne treatments. if you're using a benzoyl peroxide, retinol or acid-based serum, slotting this into your routine once-weekly will balance out those all-important moisture levels.

The scent of Olivanna's clearing mask will divide opinion: it isn't artificially fragranced (good!) so you really get the salty, aquatic scent of spirulina and seaweed (not so good!)

But in terms of performance? It excels. This no-messing blend of balancing, calming and hydrating extracts will bring inflammation down and moisture levels up, so you're getting the best of both worlds.

This multipurpose clay mask can be used as an all-over deep treatment or an on-the-spot solution for tackling whiteheads efficiently. The Italian clay is combined with sandalwood, which has an astringent (oil-absorbing) effect on skin, while chamomile works to reduce redness.

Medik8 is a brand I wholeheartedly trust when it comes to targeted skin solutions (in fact, it's responsible for my all-time favourite retinol serum).

This simple yet satisfyingly effective mask combines clay with vitamin E and allantoin to ensure skin is left nourished and hydrated. You don't get much sensorial appeal, but your blackheads will pack up and leave.

I don't personally love the fact that this one is black (do not let it near your fancy white flannels), but if you're after an efficacious salicylic-acid mask that doesn't cost a fortune, it fits the bill.

The inci list stands up to scrutiny – there's charcoal alongside the oil-dissolving acid – and it'll help clear major congestion better than most.

If you tend to find clay masks too drying, head to this indulgent, creamy cocktail from every A-lister's favourite skincare brand.

Dr. Sturm's clarifying treatment combines clay with non-comedogenic jojoba seed oil and zinc to balance breakouts while leaving the skin barrier balanced. It's light, creamy, and smells slightly medicinal: a real Friday-night treat.

If you've been struggling with acne for a while, there's high chance you're using a retinoid product – be it something off the shelves or a prescription topical. (If you aren't, may I suggest you book an appointment via Get Harley, where an expert can issue you with the right prescription-strength product).

If this is you, keep your masks and other products simple and skin-kind. REN's calming mask works to soothe the inflammation behind breakouts and rosacea, keeping your barrier clear and balanced in the face of drying spot treatments.

Not just the brand behind every celeb's favourite under-eye masks, 111 Skin also makes a stellar line of liquid treatments, each one forensically tweaked to tackle a different skin concern.

The Microbiome Blemish Mask is my Friday night go-to: much more than a simple oil-absorber, this cooling jelly features gentle acids and probiotics in a base of antibacterial rosemary water. I find it clears minor blemishes without drying my dehydration-prone barrier into submission. Apply it all-over as an intensive treatment, or use it to spot-treat misbehaving areas.

A recent launch from Sisley, this is the perfect choice for anyone who needs an end-of-week skin reset. It's more of a deep-cleaner than an instant-calmer, sweeping away all traces of the smoggy city (and that full-coverage foundation too).

Blend the powder with water in the palm of your hand to transform it into a light, frothy mask. Packed with enzymes and oil-regulating niacinamide, it'll leave a weary complexion looking bright and refreshed.

La Roche-Posay's whole Effaclar range is the holy grail for those prone to breakouts and sensitivity – and this mask is fantastic when you've got an event looming.

Argilla mops up excess oil from the skin's surface, while kaolin extracts it from the deeper layers to keep spots at bay. Skin feels squeaky clean but not tight and uncomfortable: no wonder dermatologists everywhere recommend it.

This whipped, creamy mask is such an underrated hero for oily, breakout-prone complexions: I recommend it to anyone who wants performance as well as a little pampering.

The colour-changing effect is fun, but the ingredients are no joke: there's a touch of clay to absorb impurities, algae to rehydrate, and both pre and probiotics to feed the skin barrier, helping active breakouts to heal quickly. For a clay mask that doesn't feel desert-dry, it's the gold standard.

You don't need to spend a huge amount to get a decent clay mask, but Chantecaille's offering delivers more than most.

Rich, dense and loaded with kaolin, it's perfect for those days when your skin needs a seriously deep clean. The addition of antibacterial honey means its great for healing those spots I know you picked, while rosemary doubles down on the inflammation-fighting powers. Again, use a white flannel at your peril.

One of beauty's buzziest recent arrivals, Tatcha is a brand that deserves to be on your radar (and in your bathroom). A treat for the breakout-prone, this green-tinged mask contains mineral-rich clay sourced from the shores of Okinawa, Japan.

Massage it in to see the colour shift to a deep red hue, while the gentle warming action allows the blend of oil-absorbers to do its best work. It won't dry or crack on your face, nor will it leave skin feeling dehydrated. An all-round winner.