22 Best Face Masks for Men in 2024
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When we think of beauty masks, we tend to imagine a thick, uncomfortable crust with a pair of cucumber circles over the eyelids. But it’s 2024, and everything has changed. Face masks have recently become men’s best friends, and for good reason: They offer a quick application and easy-to-use treatment, often combining multiple features in a single product. Face masks cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize all at once. What more could a man ask for?
The vast number of face masks currently available for men is an indication of this trend. But, while the options may seem amazing, deciding on a single product can be a daunting task. For that reason, we have put together this guide featuring the 22 best face masks for men in 2024. Read on to learn more about our top picks.
Still not sure about which face mask is the right choice for you? Take a look at our frequently asked questions for some additional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you invest in a clay or sheet mask? Which one works better?
Both clay and sheet masks can work well, depending on your individual needs and skin type.
Many men shy away from a clay mask because of its somewhat messier and longer application. Because clay masks take more of an effort to rinse off, they may be inconvenient for guys with a busy schedule. On the other hand, clay masks are capable of providing a truly exceptional clean. The consistency of clay helps clear pores, remove excess oils and reduce acne. Using a clay mask is like going for a mini-facial inside your own home.
Unlike clay masks, sheet masks are incredibly convenient. They usually come in a single-use plastic package that can be easily disposed of after each use. Since they are relatively mess-free, sheet masks can be used in areas other than the bathroom. For example, you can watch a TV show and apply a sheet mask at the same time.
In terms of its benefits, although a sheet mask may not offer as deep of a cleanse as a clay mask, it is usually better for hydration. Sheet masks come submerged in a moisturizing serum, such as hydrogel, which is readily absorbed during each use. Sheet masks also offer a gentler approach, making them less likely to dry out the skin.
How often should you apply a face mask?
Although the answer to this question depends mostly on your personal preferences, there are a few general guidelines that may be helpful in establishing your own routine. As a rule of thumb, experts suggest using face masks up to three times a week. Any face mask suggesting daily use is likely employing marketing tactics rather than dermatological advice.
In general, sheet masks can be used with a greater frequency than clay masks. Clay masks tend to have more intense mineral ingredients that can dry out the skin with excessive use. On the other hand, sheet masks are purchased individually and tend to be more costly when used frequently.
It is also important to consider the other products you employ on a daily basis. If you are also using a scrub and moisturizer, you may want to limit mask use to once or twice weekly. Otherwise, an excess of products may cause some buildup in the long term. As you experiment with various types of masks, be sure to watch out for any signs of irritation or inflammation.
When is the best time of the day to apply a mask?
Needless to say, it is always best to apply any beauty products to clean skin. But this gives most of us two options: You can apply your face mask after your morning shower, or directly before bed.
Both options have their pluses and minuses. Applying a face mask in the morning leaves your face looking fresh all day long. The mask’s soothing properties wake you up and give you a boost of energy for the times ahead. However, many of us have busy mornings that may not allow enough time for such beauty rituals.
Applying a mask before bedtime can help cleanse the face after a day’s worth of dirt and oils. Some intensely exfoliating masks also cause a bit of redness, which may seem unsightly in the morning hours. However, be careful not to leave your mask on for too long while you relax. When left on past its suggested time, a face mask can do more harm than good.
Face masks have been great! What other products should I try?
If you find beauty masks helpful and would like to complement them with other products, we have a few suggestions.
Sheet masks frequently rely on hyaluronic acid as their major source of hydration. If you like the effects of these masks, you might want to try a few other products that list hyaluronic acid as one of their ingredients. For best results, make sure that it appears near the top of the ingredient list.
If you’re after a more intense treatment, we recommend investing in a good serum. Serums have a high concentration of active ingredients that may help you achieve the results you are looking for. They are also relatively lightweight and are fairly simple to apply.
Can I make my own sheet masks?
If you are a craft enthusiast, then making your own sheet mask might be a worthwhile new project, and will probably save you a few dollars. To make your own sheet masks, purchase inexpensive white muslin cloth. Cut the cloth into shapes that fit your face, making sure to leave ample room for the eyes, nose and mouth.
What comes next is the fun part – creating your own formula! Most of the ingredients commonly found in sheet masks can be purchased in individual containers. You can mix and match these to create your own secret beauty recipe. Finally, don’t forget to have fun during the process!
The skin on our faces requires special protection. For this reason, we believe that a face mask made with premium ingredients is the safest, healthiest choice for daily use. The formula for Blu Atlas’ purifying face mask is made with ingredients that are over 99% naturally-sourced and is free of parabens, sulfates and artificial fragrances.
This is a mask that cleanses and fortifies facial skin without harsh ingredients or chemical additives. Its kaolin clay base purifies the pores of toxins, its goji berry extract enhances collagen production and its algae extract nourishes the skin. Simply apply for 10 minutes and then rinse with water to watch your skin transform before your eyes.
Hands down, this is the best face mask for men in 2023.
[$38; bluatlas.com]
2. Jaxon Lane | Bro Mask
Jaxon Lane’s aptly named Bro Mask is an award-winning, celebrity-endorsed sheet mask designed specifically for men. Made with a hydrogel base, this mask is formulated for maximum absorption by the skin. Its formula includes high-quality ingredients such as collagen, hyaluronic acid and peptides. Jaxon Lane’s mask reduces redness and freshens up dull skin, making it ideally suited for use before events and photoshoots. Its male fans love that the Bro Mask comes in larger sizes, with a slitted design that accommodates beards.
[$28; jaxonlane.com]
3. Aria Starr | Dead Sea Mud Mask
For a deeply intense and invigorating clean, you can find no better face mask than Aria Starr’s Dead Sea Mud Mask. Thanks to its salon-grade formula, Aria Starr’s mask exfoliates even the deepest layers of the skin for a truly detoxifying experience. The mask works by removing dead skin cells, hard-to-reach dirt and excess oils for a younger, fresher looking face. It is fortified with natural minerals that are used effectively in mud spas around the world. In addition, shea butter, aloe vera and jojoba oil moisturize the skin and improve circulation.
[$19.95; ariastarr.com]
4. Brickell | Men’s Purifying Charcoal Mask
Brickell’s all-natural organic face mask brings you all of the classic ingredients you love but with a contemporary upgrade. It uses activated charcoal and kaolin clay to cleanse the pores of toxins, bacteria and excess oils. Vitamin E protects the skin from premature aging, while DMAE provides all-over firming and elasticity. Brickell’s unscented, chemical-free formula makes it an ideal choice for those with sensitive or damaged skin. The mask also comes in a jar that is incredibly long-lasting; when used twice a week, it should serve you for up to two months.
[$28; amazon.com]
5. Lumin | Intensive Reconditioning Face Mask
Let’s face it: When we are tired, we hardly look like our best selves. Lumin’s revitalizing face mask was designed specifically for tired skin. Made with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and energizing ginger, Lumin’s mask will give your skin a much-needed pick-me-up after a difficult day. It simultaneously cleanses the skin, calms irritation and reverses solar damage. When used regularly, Lumin’s mask may help slow premature aging and soften unsightly wrinkles. The mask comes in a single-use package for optimal freshness, but Lumin does offer a subscription service for a significant discount.
[$16; luminskin.com]
6. Wolf Project | Detox Mud Face Sheet Mask
Wolf Project’s face mask brings you all of the amazing features of a clay mask without its messy application. Its kaolin and bentonite clay formula absorbs oil, detoxifies the pores and prevents blackheads. Conceived in Switzerland and crafted in South Korea, it provides the deeply exfoliating results you’d expect from a traditional mask. But, unlike traditional masks, Wolf Project’s single-use sheet mask is simple to apply and disposable after each use. The mask even comes divided into a top and bottom part for a more comfortable fit. If that sounds too good to be true, note that Wolf Project’s sheet mask contains 95% natural, vegan and cruelty-free ingredients.
[$29.50; wolfproject.co]
7. L’Oréal Paris | Men Expert Hydra Energetic Tissue Mask
If you thought face masks were only sold to high-end customers in specialty stores, then we have news for you. L’Oréal Paris offers a salon-quality line of face masks at a drugstore price. Its fast-acting Hydra Energy mask was designed to revive exhausted skin in as little as five minutes. The mask is gentle enough to be used three times a week, instead of or in combination with your daily moisturizer. Its taurine and glycerin formula delivers intense hydration on the days you need it most.
[$3.60; boots.com]
8. Rugged & Dapper | Detoxifying Mineral Clay Facial Treatment Mask
For a mask that is packed with stuff that’s good for your skin, look no further than Rugged & Dapper’s detoxifying clay mask. Rugged & Dapper’s traditional rinse-away mask is packed with effective ingredients: kaolin clay, aloe vera, spirulina, sea kelp and grapeseed oil.
Its formula not only cleanses and tones the skin; it actually tightens the pores to prevent future breakouts. A once-a-week 15-minute treatment is enough to prevent acne and reduce oil buildup for days to come. Rugged & Dapper’s products are never tested on animals, and are free of sulfates, parabens and toxins.
[$21.95; ruggedanddapper.com]
9. Disco | Rejuvenating Face Mask
Disco offers another clay-based face mask, but this time with an invigorating boost of fresh eucalyptus. After all, who said that the best face masks for men shouldn’t also leave you smelling amazing? Disco’s clay, charcoal and willow bark base reduces oil, fights inflammation and smooths emerging wrinkles, leaving you feeling refreshed.
The formula targets daily buildup, while promoting the growth of new skin cells. Users rave about the mask’s natural eucalyptus fragrance. To make your decision even simpler, Disco’s mask is made free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates and silicone.
[$38; letsdisco.com]
10. Pro-Nu | Spa Quality 24K Mask
The perfect mask to impress your friends or loved ones, Pro-Nu’s tissue-style mask lists 24-karat gold as one of its major ingredients. In Pro-Nu’s unique mask, 24-karat gold is more than just a bragging right. It carries many beneficial features such as enhancing lymphatic drainage and stimulating blood circulation. Gold tightens the skin and reduces wrinkles for an all-over younger look. The mask also contains hyaluronic acid, best known for its intense hydrating properties. Believe it or not, using gold in your skincare ritual dates back to the Ancient Roman Empire (think Cleopatra!). Pro-Nu brings 24k gold back in a contemporary, easy-to-apply sheet mask.
[$11.99; amazon.com]
11. Ursa Major | Bright & Easy 3-Minute Flash Mask
If the mere thought of a 15-minute facial has you running to the door, consider Ursa Major’s innovative flash treatment. Ursa Major’s face mask delivers its full effects in just three minutes, making it the perfect weekday pick-me-up. Made with an easy-to-rinse gel formula, this mask brightens and tones the skin, while boosting firmness and elasticity. Its incredibly versatile fragrance is scented with notes of pineapple, orange and coffee. Finally, you can rest assured that Ursa Major’s mask contains none of the harsh chemicals or irritating additives of some of its competitors.
[$44; ursamajorvt.com]
12. Too Cool for School | Egg Cream Mask Hydration
Although slathering your face with fresh egg hardly sounds appealing, Too Cool for School’s Egg Cream Mask provides gentle all-day hydration using egg yolk and egg white serum as its main ingredients. Contrary to what you may imagine, however, Too Cool for School’s product comes in an easy-to-use sheet mask.
Simply peel away the plastic packaging and apply the mask for a brief 10- to 20-minute mess-free treatment. Too Cool for School’s mask is ideally suited for those with dry skin. In addition to its egg-based ingredients, this mask contains coconut water and camu camu extract for intense moisturizing and replenishing action. In order to make your skincare experience a safer one, the mask is free of parabens, sulfates and mineral oils.
[$6; toocoolforschool.us]
13. Malin + Goetz | Detox Face Mask
We think Malin + Goetz’s award-winning and dermatologist-recommended face mask is bound to surprise you with its versatile features. This foaming five-minute face mask hydrates and brightens the skin in the same way that most good sheet masks do. However, unlike most other masks on our list, Malin + Goetz’s mask doubles as a facial cleanser and even a shaving cream.
This works especially well for men who travel frequently, allowing you to turn to a single product for all your skincare needs. Malin + Goetz’s mask is formulated with nourishing amino acids, vitamins C and E, and gentle almond extract. Its cleansing and hydrating..