21 best face masks that you need to stock up as skin boosters and SOS treatments

What’s the next best thing after going for a pampering facial treatment? We think it’s kicking back with a great facial mask that leaves our skin feeling smooth and looking bright and hydrated.

Every beauty enthusiast worth her salt knows that applying a face mask at least once a week can keep her skin in its tip-top condition and serves as a booster whenever your skin is crying for attention. With so many options out there, we know you must be wondering what you should go for.

We have scoured for the best face masks in this list; it consists of the winners at the Daily Vanity Beauty Awards 2018 and products that have received compliments on review sites. Winners at the Daily Vanity Beauty Awards are picked by a panel of expert judges and more than 1,800 discerning readers.

1. For Beloved One Advanced Anti-Aging Ceramide Squalane Bio-Cellulose Mask

The winner of Best Firming Mask at the Daily Vanity Beauty Awards, this product is made with an exclusive material that ensures all that skincare goodness in the mask is retained on your skin. For Beloved One is very well-known for their masks, and this award-winning one is infused with Ceramide and Squalene; both ingredients are great for firming and nourishing.

You can find For Beloved One products at Sephora.

2. Skinfood Black Sugar Mask Wash Off

The Skinfood Black Sugar Mask Wash Off has been a cult favourite for a long time, and its popularity has been justified with its recent win as the Best Budget-friendly Purifying Mask at the Daily Vanity Beauty Awards. This affordable wash-off mask is formulated with organic black sugar granules so your skin is nourished and then exfoliated when you wash it off.

Skinfood Black Sugar Mask Wash Off retails at SGD14.75 and is available at Skinfood.

3. Kiehl’s Calendula & Aloe Soothing Hydration Masque

You might have already heard of other products from Kiehl’s Calendula series such as the toner and cleanser. The masque is the latest addition to this family and has gained a lot of popularity since it’s been launched. The product is the winner of Best Moisturising Mask at the Daily Vanity Beauty Awards – and it’s probably not surprising. This lightweight gel masque is formulated with handpicked Calendula flower petals, and other than boosting your skin’s hydration, also leaves your skin feeling refreshed and cool.

Kiehl’s Calendula & Aloe Soothing Hydration Masque retails at SGD69 and is available at all Kiehl’s boutiques and counters.

4. MUDMASKY Facial Detox Purifying Recovery Mask

You may not have heard of this brand before, but it’s a mask specialist that makes sure that the products are formulated at the right pH level to maintain skin’s health. This effective clay mask has its own cult following and its goodness is confirmed by judges and voters as it clinches the Best Splurge-Worthy Purifying Mask at the Daily Vanity Beauty Awards. Use this if you’re looking for something that refines your pores while brightening it.

MUDMASKY Facial Detox Purifying Recovery Mask retails for (USD49) SGD64.95 and is available on their website.

5. Philosophy The Microdelivery Detoxifying Oxygen Peel

If you’re looking for a mini oxygen facial in the comforts of your own home, you may want to check out this mask from Philosophy. This two-step peel won the Best Brightening Mask at the Daily Vanity Beauty Awards, and is loved for how it is able to detoxify and re-oxygenate mask, leaving your complexion looking brighter and more perked up after using it.

Philosophy The Microdelivery Detoxifying Oxygen Peel retails at SGD73.50 and is available at LookFantastic.

6. Sephora Collection Invisilk Mask

The best face masks don’t always have to be expensive. This one from Sephora Collection isn’t just affordable, but works very well too. In fact, it is the winner in one of the episodes of DV Beauty Lab, a video series where the DV team puts a few similar products to blind tests and find the best among them. You can watch the episode for yourself:

Sephora Collection Invisilk Mask retails at SGD4.50 and is available at Sephora.

7. This Works No Wrinkles Time Dose Mask

Best known for its therapeutic products that help users sleep better and reap the benefits of “beauty rest”, This Works also carries a mask that promises to be an instant and long-term solution to wrinkle reduction. Receiving a 5-star rating on Sephora, the product can be used in three ways:
1. Leave it on for 10 minutes if you want a quick hydration boost
2. Leave it on for 20 minutes and you’ll see exfoliating benefits
3. Use it as an overnight treatment for rejuvenated and hydrated complexion

We really like how we can customise the results we want using just one product!

This Works No Wrinkles Time Dose Mask retails at SGD59.50, and is available at LookFantastic.

8. 3CE Back to Baby Clearing Treatment Mask

This Korean brand is super trendy, and it may well live up to its hype. Its Back to Baby Clearing Treatment Mask is among the top-rated ones on Sephora, and users say that this two-step mask works.

The product is made up of a clearing mask that refines skin texture, and a hydration mask to moisturise skin thoroughly. Users say that it has a baby powder scent that makes the experience of using it even more pampering.

3CE Back to Baby Clearing Treatment Mask retails at SGD22 and is available at Sephora.

9. Arcona Magic Black Ice – Volcanic Exfoliating Mask

We don’t hear that many people talk about Arcona, but this brand packs a punch in the effectiveness department. One of their top-rated products is this exfoliating mask that promises to help skin become clearer and smoother.

Made with volcanic sand and purifying charcoal – a power duo known for their detoxification benefits – users who have tried it said the mask left their skin looking brighter, smoother, and softer to touch.

Arcona Magic Black Ice – Volcanic Exfoliating Mask retails at SGD94 and is available at Sephora.

10. Foreo Glow Addict Mask

Foreo may be best known for their cleansing devices, but the brand has recently ventured into the skincare arena – and guess what – it looks like they are faring well too!

Users of Foreo Glow Addict Mask have nothing but good things to say about it. This  microfiber face mask is formulated to illuminate the appearance of skin so you look radiant and healthy. The brand also recommends that you use the mask with the UFO or UFO mini – their newly launched devices to help mask work harder for you – if you want results close to what you get at facials.

Foreo Glow Addict Mask retails at SGD29.90 and is available at Foreo website.

11. WEI Millet Sprout Instant Smoothing Nourishing Mask

Sephora has only recently introduced this brand to its store, and we’ve endorsed it in our article that talks about the rising popularity of Chinese beauty brands. Tapping on principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, this mask uses millet, which is known to nourish body and improve overall health, to energise skin.

It comes in an interesting packaging: an oil-free, alcohol-free sheet floats in 45ml of essence. What this means is that you really get a whole lot of goodness from the product and can easily pour out the rest of the essence to apply onto areas like your neck and even your arms and legs, if you wish.

WEI Millet Sprout Instant Smoothing Nourishing Mask retails at SGD81, and is available at Sephora.

12. Dr Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask Sensitive Skin

Those with sensitive skin often complain that they’re unable to find an exfoliating solution that is gentle enough for their fragile skin. It is perhaps why this exfoliating mask from Dr Sebagh gets all the thumbs up from (skin) sensitive-types.

Promising a gentle but still effective formula, the product is said to polish and smooth without irritation. The main formula consists of Azelaic and Lactic Acid to buff away dead skin cells while regenerating skin so your complexion can look more radiant and even-toned. This product is also suitable for soothing acne-prone skin – and we’re grateful for that!

Dr Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask Sensitive Skin retails at USD75.98 (~SGD103.56) and is available at Net-a-Porter.

13. Tata Harper Clarifying Mask

Another great option for those with blemish-prone and problem skin, this 100% natural mask from Tata Harper helps soothe redness and alleviate breakouts thanks to the Salicylic Acid in its formula. It also further clarifies skin using AHA Superfruits and Lactic Acid. Use this regularly and you’ll find that blemishes are calmed, oil production is controlled, and pores appear more refined.

Tata Harper Clarifying Mask retails at USD83.19 (~SGD113.39) and is available at Net-a-Porter.

14. Origins By All Greens Foaming Deep Cleansing Mask

Besides being effective, you’ll love that this mask is fun to use! This deep-cleansing mask is able to draw out the impurities from skin and pores and has a self-foaming effect powered by green superfoods to make sure skin remains hydrated. Free from parabens and phthalates, this mask is suitable for normal, oily, and combination skin types.

Origins by All Greens Foaming Deep Cleansing Mask retails at SGD69 and is available at all Origins boutiques and counters, as well as Sephora.

15. First Aid Beauty Ginger & Turmeric Vitamin C Jelly Mask

This may be a relatively new mask in the market but has already won the hearts of reviewers. We have previously predicted that this will be one of the most exciting launches in Sephora this year. Users with sensitive and blemish-prone skin all said they have suffered no irritation from using it and they love how soothing the jelly-like texture of this mask feels on their skin. The citrus scent of the mask is another huge bonus for users.

On top of these, you will be happy to know that the refreshing mask is alcohol-free, and leaves a cooling sensation upon application. Packed with vitamin C, it helps revitalise the look of healthy-looking complexion, and leaves skin feeling soothed and supple.

First Aid Beauty Ginger & Turmeric Vitamin C Jelly Mask retails at SGD49.50 and is available at Sephora.

16. 111skin Bio Cellulose Facial Treatment Mask

Designed for long, weary days – like when you just got off a long-haul flight or when you have an evening soiree to attend, this mask is the SOS treatment that gives your skin what it needs. The high-tech treatment doesn’t just hydrate skin but also cools and regulates body temperatures, and is targeted at helping skin cope with long flights and long nights. The masks are also made with tissue-fine fibers to adhere snugly on your skin.

111skin Bio Cellulose Facial Treatment Mask is available at all 111skin counters and Net-a-Porter.

17. Herbivore Botanicals Brighten – Pineapple Enzyme + Gemstone Instant Glow Mask

Dedicated to using only plant-based and organic products, Herbivore Botanicals’ masks are no different. We love this one because it is made of pineapple and papaya enzymes, which has a natural exfoliation effect on skin. The mask is also formulated with oils that are cold-pressed or steam-distilled, to make sure that all of their goodness are retained and presented in the most premium quality possible.

Herbivore Botanicals Brighten – Pineapple Enzyme + Gemstone Instant Glow Mask retails at SGD72 and is available at Sephora.

18. Aesop Blue Chamomile Facial Hydrating Masque

Ever walked past an Aesop boutique and be attracted by its beautiful interior and therapeutic scent? Expect the same experience whenever you use the Aesop Blue Chamomile Facial Hydrating Masque. This has a smooth, serum-like texture that feels light and luxurious, while softening and refreshing your skin with natural Witch Hazel, Lavender, and Rosemary botanicals – ingredients that aren’t just skin-loving but also has a soothing effect on your nerves.

This product is suitable for normal to dry skin.

Aesop Blue Chamomile Facial Hydrating Masque is available at Aesop boutiques and Net-a-Porter.

19. Charlotte Tilbury Instant Magic Facial Dry Sheet Mask

You may have seen this mask on your Instagram or Facebook feed; it isn’t just a celebrity-favourite but has gone viral on social media. When we first shared this innovative mask with you, many of you were fascinated too.

Its waterless formula means that you’ll no longer have to worry about having a dripping mess when you mask. But the product still works its magic by offering hydrating, tightening, and brightening effect on skin. No wonder celebrities swear by it as their red-carpet-quick-fix.

Charlotte Tilbury Instant Magic Facial Dry Sheet Mask retails at USD21.39 (~SGD29.90) and is available at Net-a-Porter.

20. REN Wake Wonderful Night-Time Facial

We all want that genuine #iwokeuplikethis perfect selfie and it might just be possible with this overnight treatment. This mask by REN works like a facial while you sleep by exfoliating, energising, and hydrating your skin so you can wake up to smoother, brighter skin. However, take note that this potent product isn’t suitable for sensitive skin.

REN Wake Wonderful Night-Time Facial retails at USD36.68 (~SGD50) and is available at Net-a-Porter.

21. Boscia Tsubaki Deep Hydration Sleeping Mask

If you’ve been looking for a sleeping mask that hydrates skin while delivering anti-ageing benefits, then you may consider this one from Boscia as an option. Receiving 4.5-star rating on Sephora, users say that they see a difference after using this sleeping mask and wakes up with significantly hydrated skin.

You’ll also like that this lightweight mask also doubles up as a moisturiser on days you just want a basic routine.

Boscia Tsubaki Deep Hydration Sleeping Mask retails at SGD51 and is available at Sephora.