Face masks are a great way to give skin a much-needed boost. Maybe your skin is a bit dull and lacklustre, so you would reach for a radiance mask, or perhaps your skin is dry, then you would reach for a hydrating one. It might be that you don’t like using exfoliators, so you would reach for one that is deep cleaning and has fruit enzymes to remove any dead skin cells. Whatever your reasons, masks – like serums – can help with specific skin concerns.
Read more in the Best of Natural series:
Best Natural Face Moisturisers
Best Natural Makeup Removers and Face Cleansers
Best Natural Skin Tints and Foundations
WHAT ARE THE BEST NATURAL FACE MASKS?
*OUR FOUNDER’S FAVOURITES*
Pai Rosehip Bioregenerate Rapid Radiance Mask
Made in London, Pai’s Radiance Mask with its wonderful creamy consistency is enriched with highly concentrated omegas and antioxidants which boosts and regenerates dull skin making it instantly brighter and plumper. It provides an intensive hydration boost and the rosehip oil improves skin tone and texture, soothing redness and sensitivity. We love the fact that it comes with a muslin cloth so is ready to use as soon as you open the packaging, which by the way, is all recyclable.
The ingredients are 100% natural and 75% organic, it is also accredited by the Vegan Society and approved as cruelty-free under the Leaping Bunny programme. No parabens, mineral oils, palm oil, synthetic fragrances or alcohol are used and the product does not contain nuts.
When Sofia’s skin needs an exfoliating mask, she uses this from Oskia which is gentle enough for her sensitive skin.
Also made in the UK (which reduces its carbon footprint), the Renaissance Mask is suitable for all skin types and has several benefits. It is a pink buttery balm which turns white once massaged into the skin so you know that it is being absorbed. The natural fruit acids remove tired cells in the upper epidermis of the skin, the lactic acid stimulates cell regeneration and the prebiotics help fight bacteria. This mask does a deep cleanse of the skin – pores are unclogged and skin tone is corrected; leaving an illuminated and brighter complexion with a smoother, softer and radiant look. The bonus is that it has a fresh aromatic scent which combines rose, passion fruit and chamomile.
This product is vegan-friendly, cruelty-free and comes in recyclable packaging too!
NB: This exfoliating mask does contain Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) which may increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. You can read more about AHAs in our post here.
The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask
This is a 100% vegetarian charcoal clay mask, free from parabens, paraffin, silicone and mineral oil. Infused with bamboo charcoal, green tea leaves and organic tea tree oil, the Glow Mask replenishes, restores and comforts the skin. The granules work to exfoliate whilst the oil draws out any impurities, absorbs excess sebum and refines the appearance of pores for healthy-looking skin.
We love that The Body Shop have campaigned for a cruelty-free beauty industry since 1989 and have continued their mission to stop animal testing for beauty cosmetics globally. Did you know that in many of their stores they offer a recycling system where you can go in and return your empty packaging from their products for it to be turned into something new?
May Lindstrom The Problem Solver Masque
A clay treatment corrective masque which you just add water to, it’s suitable for all skin types but particularly if you are prone to breakouts. The masque does feel as though it is heating up when it touches the skin but this should be only temporary!
The high concentrations of vitamins A, C and E (antioxidants) detoxify the skin by helping to fight and heal blemishes and absorb excess sebum. The blend of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove helps with skin radiance by purifying and tightening pores and also increases blood flow. Any inflammation of the skin is relieved by the ingredients turmeric and marshmallow root, leaving you with an even skin tone.
This is a natural, vegan-friendly, organic and cruelty-free product with ingredients that are free from parabens, gluten, petroleum, sulphates, phthalates, GMO, silicones, pesticides, artificial dyes and fragrances.
Suitable for all skin types except incredibly sensitive skin, Tata Harper’s offering consists of natural and organic ingredients, is vegan-friendly, paraben-free, sulphate-free, and hypo-allergenic.
This resurfacing mask enhances the skin’s radiance and overall appearance, gently exfoliating whilst soothing, hydrating and repairing to reveal a youthful glow. It is full of wonderful properties such as white willow bark extract which exfoliates and relieves any irritation, and witch hazel which soothes inflammation and protects against free radicals. Dull skin cells are removed by the pomegranate enzymes and the aloe vera helps to stimulate healthy cell growth, repairing any damaged tissue. Pink french clay (which is rich in minerals) decongests the pores but does not strip skin of its natural oils. Beet extract helps increase the skin’s elasticity by hydrating the outer layers of the skin.
Madara Brightening AHA Peel Mask
As it contains AHAs, Madara’s mask isn’t suitable for those with hypersensitive skin. Even for other skin types, this mask may cause temporary redness and a slight tingling sensation.
This peel mask exfoliates (thanks to the elderflower) and stimulates cell turnover/regeneration, leaving bright, radiant and smooth skin. Lactic acid hydrates the skin while the fruit acids and vitamin C from quince fruit do the job of illuminating dull, tired skin.
It is natural, organic, vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, gluten-free, paraben-free, nut-free, perfume-free and contains no synthetic colours.
“Using these products at night nourishes the skin in preparation for overnight rejuvenation. Following the mask with my favourite face oil and massaging the skin with my rose quartz face roller is a good substitute for a professional facial, although I recommend going for a facial every few months”
sofia
Always remember not to leave the mask on for longer than the recommended time, and if you have sensitive skin then leave it on for even less time. We suggest a patch test on the inside of the elbow before using the product on your face and stop using it as soon as any tingling occurs. Using face masks specifically designed for sensitive skin is the best approach here.
It is worth investing in a good mask, just like you would a serum, as these are concentrated products designed to deal with specific skin concerns. We aren’t fans of sheet masks (despite being affordable and increasingly accessible), mainly because of their disposable, single-use nature but also because they contain preservatives which are needed to keep them fresh inside their packaging.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE NATURAL FACE MASKS?
We’d love for you to tell us in a comment below!
