Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The Best Face Masks for Men Who Want Clean and Clear Skin

A man uses a skincare face mask.
PxHere (https://bit.ly/3ugi0vB)

The phrase "face mask" was totally redefined in 2020. Pre-COVID, a face mask was considered a supplemental step in a men's skincare routine to give your skin a little boost. While the other face masks are critical in controlling the spread of COVID-19, today we're talking about the face masks for skincare.

When you're looking for a new face mask to add to your skincare arsenal, consider your skin goals and your skin type. While face masks are unisex, the best face masks for men address some of the most common skin problems men face. There are a ton of different face mask varieties, not to mention under-eye masks, and they treat whatever skin concern you're suffering from, whether it's bringing dull skin back to life with a vitamin C face mask, balancing out oily skin with a clay mask, or hydrating dry, dehydrated skin with a hefty dose of hyaluronic acid.

Once you start masking regularly, you’ll become addicted to that post-facial glow and personal at-home spa treatment. Below, we’ve rounded up the best face masks for every skin type and concern.

Lumin Repair Face Mask
Lumin Intensive Reconditioning Face Mask
Best Face Mask Overall
Jump to details
Loops Night Shift Face Mask
Loops Night Shift Mask
Best Sheet Mask
Jump to details
Aesop Chamomile Concentrate Anti-Blemish Masque
Aesop Chamomile Concentrate Anti-Blemish Masque
Best Spot Treatment
Jump to details
Peter Thomas Roth Therapeutic Sulfur Acne Treatment Mask
Peter Thomas Roth Therapeutic Sulfur Acne Treatment Mask
Best Face Mask for Acne-Prone Skin
Jump to details
Dr Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Sleepair Intensive Mask
Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Sleepair Intensive Mask
Best Face Mask for Dry Skin
Jump to details
Jaxon lane Bro Mask
Jaxon Lane Bro Mask
Best Face Mask for Mature Skin
Jump to details
Paula's Choice Super Hydrate Overnight Mask
Paula's Choice Super Hydrate Overnight Mask
Best Face Mask for Sensitive Skin
Jump to details
Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Mask
Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Mask
Best Face Mask for Oily Skin
Jump to details
Drunk Elephant T.L.C Sukari Babyfacial
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial
Best Face Mask for Textured Skin
Jump to details
The Lumin intensive reconditioning face mask.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Lumin Intensive Reconditioning Face Mask

Let’s be honest: You’re probably not drinking enough water during the day. When your body is dehydrated, your skin shows it. If you’re not properly hydrated, your body is going to pull water away from your skin and direct it to your vital organs, leaving your face feeling and looking dry, dull, and lifeless. This hydrating mask from Lumin provides an intense boost of moisture to parched skin in as little as 10 minutes. We love a multitasker, and this mask not only hydrates with the help of replenishing hyaluronic acid, but it also contains niacinamide to reduce inflammation, as well as ginger extract to fight free radicals and even out your skin tone. Slap on this sheet mask and quench thirsty skin instantly.

Lumin Repair Face Mask
Lumin Intensive Reconditioning Face Mask
Best Face Mask Overall
The Loops Night Shift face mask.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Loops Night Shift Mask

A 2020 Grooming Awards winner, Loops masks stand out among the competition. Most face masks are basically sheets dipped in serums. Typically, they’re made of cotton, but Loops’ masks are made using a thick hydrogel that retains a much larger amount of liquid, and they can easily cling to skin. It comes in two parts, which means you can use just the top half if you have facial hair, and it can fit almost any face shape.

Caution: Its super-sticky gel may make it a bit of a hassle to unpack, but we promise that the results are worth the extra effort. Loops’ Night Shift mask contains anti-aging ingredients that speed up collagen production. After wearing it before bedtime for 10 minutes, we woke up to clearer, plumper skin. “It makes you feel damn good after putting on,” says influencer Brendan Fallis. Enough said.

Loops Night Shift Face Mask
Loops Night Shift Mask
Best Sheet Mask
A bottle of Aesop Chamomile Concentrate Anti-Blemish Masque.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Aesop Chamomile Concentrate Anti-Blemish Masque

Clay masks work wonders on active breakouts and stubborn acne. Key purifying ingredients include calming chamomile bud, astringent tea tree leaf, and evening primrose, alongside botanical extracts. Entrepreneur and fitness expert Devon Levesque turned us onto this clarifying clay mask in his grooming journal, which he uses as an overnight spot treatment. "I’ll throw this on any blemishes or acne breakouts at night," says Devon.

Aesop Chamomile Concentrate Anti-Blemish Masque
Aesop Chamomile Concentrate Anti-Blemish Masque
Best Spot Treatment
The Peter Thomas Roth Therapeutic Sulfur acne treatment mask.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Peter Thomas Roth Therapeutic Sulfur Acne Treatment Mask

Typically, face masks that are formulated for men who suffer blemishes contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, which can be incredibly irritating for sensitive skin. That's why we love this sulfur treatment, which tends to be more gentle — yet still effective — than the aforementioned ingredients. Yes, it's a little more expensive than your drugstore acne treatments. But in this case, it's truly worth every penny and then some.

Peter Thomas Roth Therapeutic Sulfur Acne Treatment Mask
Peter Thomas Roth Therapeutic Sulfur Acne Treatment Mask
Best Face Mask for Acne-Prone Skin
The Dr Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Sleepair Intensive mask.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Sleepair Intensive Mask

Dr.Jart's Tiger Grass collection is remarkably effective on dry skin, and this mask is the crown jewel of the line. The secret is in the proprietary derma complex that brings together Tiger Grass (Centella Asiatica, aka Cica) with a hydrating blend of herbs, minerals, a moisturizing humectant, and a probiotic ferment to soothe dry skin. Specifically formulated for sensitive skin, the leave-on mask can be applied as the final step in your routine before bed. In the morning, rinse it off with lukewarm water to reveal radiant skin.

Dr Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Sleepair Intensive Mask
Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Sleepair Intensive Mask
Best Face Mask for Dry Skin
A four-pack of Jaxon Lane Bro Masks.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Jaxon Lane Bro Mask

The Bro Mask from Jaxon Lane has won several awards, not only because Nick Jonas is a fan but also because it actually works. It’s a sheet mask with a gel consistency that's cut into two halves (for those of you with that quarantine beard still going strong). It’s packed with antioxidants, collagen, and plant extracts that are scientifically proven to improve the appearance of mature skin. It targets redness, uneven tone, fine lines, and wrinkles. The glowing reviews come from users that have been flooded with compliments after each use; you’ll see.

Jaxon lane Bro Mask
Jaxon Lane Bro Mask
Best Face Mask for Mature Skin
A tube of Paula's Choice Super Hydrate Overnight Mask.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Paula's Choice Super Hydrate Overnight Mask

This overnight mask abounds with skin-soothing antioxidants. Reishi mushroom and cloudberry calm sensitive skin instantly. Soothing plant extracts and a sensitivity-inhibiting peptide work together to tame redness and leave your complexion visibly calmer and clearer for hours after use. Hydrating shea butter and glycerin deliver long-lasting hydration for even the most sensitive skin types.

Paula's Choice Super Hydrate Overnight Mask
Paula's Choice Super Hydrate Overnight Mask
Best Face Mask for Sensitive Skin
The Aztec Secret Indian Healing clay mask.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Mask

There’s nothing worse than a midday oil buildup on your forehead, especially when you’re out and about or in work meetings facing people all day. (Yes, Zoom meetings count.) Finding the right face mask for oily skin is probably the trickiest task on this list. The goal should be a quick fix, but should also contribute to long-term maintenance. We recommend seeking out a clay mask to absorb and draw out oil and impurities.

This Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Mask is one of our best-kept secrets (check out that price!). You can mix the clay powder with water or apple cider vinegar (if you have less sensitive skin). It’s an all-natural clay formula that detoxes, tightens, and completely cleans your pores. It can be a bit messy to mix it yourself, but totally worth it.

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Mask
Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Mask
Best Face Mask for Oily Skin
Bottles of the Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial

Banish grease for good with this powerful, pro-quality 20-minute "facial in a bottle." A potent blend of 25% AHA and 2% BHA blend of glycolic, tartaric, lactic, citric, and salicylic acids instantly smooth texture while clearing out and minimizing the look of pores. If you're someone who doubts the effectiveness of skincare, this one mask will certainly change your mind. Its effects are felt immediately, and it truly does reveal baby soft skin you never even knew you had under all those layers of built-up dead skin cells.

Drunk Elephant T.L.C Sukari Babyfacial
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial
Best Face Mask for Textured Skin

We hope this helps you do right by your face. If you still need some help with taking care of your skin, check out our guides to the best skincare gift sets, the best fair trade grooming products, the best reef-safe and eco-friendly sunscreens, and the best toners for clean and healthy skin.

The cover photo was provided by PxHere.

Andrew Davey

Andrew Davey is a writer who has spent a long time in "hard news" journalism, but who has also pursued interests in food and drinks, travel, entertainment, and wellness. Andrew particularly enjoys long walks along the beach, discovering new hiking trails, trying new restaurants, and getting a good night's sleep.

Send all editorial inquiries HERE.

Duke Cannon bets on Iowa State mascot for March Madness success
Will a unique ad campaign help Duke Cannon score big during March Madness?
Duke Cannon mascot ad

March Madness is a bonanza for both basketball fans and bettors, and it’s crunch time for advertisers, too. Given the impressive growth of the men’s grooming market and the captive audience of potential customers watching the NCAA tournament, it’s not surprising that companies like Duke Cannon are trying to get in on the action.
The way they’re doing it is impressively innovative. Mascot antics are always part of the fun at this tournament, and Duke Cannon has built it’s entire March Madness ad campaign around the “anonymous” guy sporting the Iowa State outfit.

Can Cy the Cardinal keep it clean?

Read more
Is your skin (including the scalp) secretly craving black seed oil?
Black seed oil for the skin and scalp: Yay or nay? Skincare pros weighed in.
essential oil bottle and salt on yellow table

You may think of oil as something you want to keep to a minimum on your skin. After all, acne is something we'd like to — but can't always — leave in our teenage era. However, a scroll through social media these days will likely bring you to numerous influencers putting essential oils on their skin. Black seed oil is one of the latest crazes.

"Black seed oil is being hyped for everything from eczema relief to beard growth," said Melanie Speed NP, a celebrity skincare expert, nurse practitioner, and owner of Flawless Med Spas in Las Vegas and Beverly Hills. "But before slathering it on, it’s important to understand what it does, how it works, and whether it’s backed by science." 

Read more
From beard patches to confidence: My hair transplant story in Turkey
Getting a hair transplant for me, no one else
EsteNove trio in the hallway

Most men watch movies like The Avengers and decide to grow the hair of a Norse God to try to capture Thor's look. Or they may be more like the Steve Rogers kind of man looking to replicate the look he had in The Avengers: Infinity War. Whatever looks better fits your aesthetic, there's an astonishing amount of focus on a great head of hair.

There's a reason Chris Hemsworth and Chris Evans are the action stars of today. While there are some that do it without the full head of hair (Bruce Willis and Nicolas Cage, for instance), there is an inarguable advantage to the opposite.

Read more