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The 8 Best Face Masks For Acne
With the face mask craze showing no sign of slowing down, formulas that cater to every type of skincare continue to pop up on a near-daily basis. There are masks that provide extra hydration, exfoliate, plump up skin, tone, etc. There are even the best face masks for acne, an age-old challenge for so many men and women. Instead of loading your skin with creams, serums, and oils, maybe it's time to set everything aside, switch up your routine, and start fresh with a revitalizing mask, which tend to provide an extra-intensive skincare solution.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 50 million Americans every year are faced with addressing some sort of acne, so you're definitely not alone. Many dermatologists (who will tell you their opinion about face masks, here) and product developers work hard to research top-notch ingredients (often ones that are natural) and products that will keep skin healthy, happy, and clear.
But the one tricky thing about this face mask trend? It seems like there are hundreds —nay, maybe thousands! — of options on the market. So, lucky for you, we've done a little extra legwork and narrowed it down to a handful of the best ones out there. Some of the ingredients that you'll see in the masks below include clay, charcoal, essential oils like Tea Tree, mint — this list goes on. Have a little scroll and even if you've never really been a mask person, well, suffice it to say that these refreshing, restorative, acne-fighting formulas might just change your mind.
1An Intensive Pore-Cleansing Mask That Uses A Centuries-Old Remedy
Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay, $9, Amazon
Using 100 percent natural calcium bentonite clay, creators of this mask turned to the practices of ancient civilizations from across the globe (think Egypt, Rome, and Germany) who utilized the earth itself to help purify and cleanse the skin. Completely additive and fragrance-free, this clay is extracted from Death Valley, California, and can be applied directly to the face for a refreshing, pore-cleansing experience. With over 12,000 positive reviews, a near five-star rating, and enormous cult-following, you can't go wrong with this intensely detoxifying mask.
2A Mask That Uses Blue Light Technology To Target Acne-Causing Bacteria
Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Mask, $20, Amazon
This Neutrogena mask is probably unlike any you've seen on shelves at the local drug store. Using an innovative LED blue light technology that dermatologists have been employing for over a decade, this mask hones in on the bacteria that causes acne by gently penetrating the skin's top layer and then stimulating and reducing inflammation. The mask is worn like sunglasses, and the activator powers 30 10-minute treatments, so you really get a big bang for your buck.
3A Sulfur-Based Mask From One of the Leading Acne-Fighting Companies in the World
Proactiv+ Skin Purifying Mask, $37, Amazon
Proactiv has been one of the leading acne remedy companies since the mid-nineties, so it's safe to say that they really know their stuff when it comes to skin treatments. And with an average 4.5-star rating on Amazon, users tend to see positive results with this particular product. Using active ingredients like sulfur and antioxidant-rich vitamins, this skin purifying mask does just that: sulfur works to dry out blemishes, thus clearing skin, and antioxidants help to prevent further breakouts from occurring by minimizing pores and reducing oil.
4A Mask That Uses Active Charcoal to Unclog Pores
Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask, $31, Amazon
This mask from Origins has time and again received four and five star reviews on Amazon, with satisfied users calling it "amazing" and "a favorite." It uses both bamboo charcoal and white China clay to bring pore-cloggers to the surface of the skin, absorb toxins, and cleanse, leaving it feeling soft, firm, and restored.
5A Sheet Mask That Uses Tea Tree Oil For Antiseptic Benefits
Ariul 7 Days Natural Tee Tree Mask for Acne, $16, Amazon
Thanks to the active ingredient, tea tree oil, this sheet mask combats acne with compounds that act as an antiseptic, which fights infections and reduces the risk of breakouts. For maximum results, stick one in the fridge for a few minutes right before use for a cooling, refreshing effect that'll work wonders on red or irritated skin.
6A Pore-Cleansing Mask Made From Volcanic Ash
Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask, $13, Amazon
Made from twice the amount of volcanic ash as its original formula, this pore-targeting mask has a five-in-one function, and is especially useful for those with oil-prone skin. It's made from something called "volcanic scoria," which is extracted from the volcanic cluster of Jeju Island, located off the coast of Korea. This volcanic scoria works to control the skin's sebum production (which is that waxy, oily substance that your sebaceous glands create). It also helps to tighten pores, exfoliate, cleanse, and cool the skin.
7A Refreshing Mint Formula That Keeps Acne At Bay
Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque, $11, Amazon
Don't be fooled by this this triple-action mask's no-frills packaging. It has a near five-star rating on Amazon and something of a cult-following between beauty insiders for its invigorating, detoxing formula. It utilizes mint extract (which smells divine) to combat acne by drying up unwanted blemishes, cleaning out blackheads, and reducing the size of pores.
8A Mask Made From Sulfur That Dries Out Blemishes
Peter Thomas Roth Therapeutic Sulfur Mask, $29, Amazon
This innovative mask is super cool because the natural ingredients work together to create a dual-function acne-fighter. Sulfur and eucalyptus oil dry out and clear blemishes while soothing aloe, kaolin, and bentonite clay ensure that skin remains hydrated during the cleansing and drying processes.
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