It doesn’t matter if you’re new to the skincare trend or you’ve already got a 10-step routine down pat – everyone knows that face masks are the bomb!
They’ve got tons of benefits from hydrating dry skin to unclogging pores, plus, putting one on feels like an instant trip to the spa. However, with so many products out there promising all kinds of solutions, it can be hard to keep track of which skincare masks will give you the results you want.
But don’t worry. Here’s out one-stop-guide on the best beauty masks in Australia!
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What Are The Benefits Of Face Masks?
The great thing about face masks is that there’s something for everyone, whether you’ve got dry or dehydrated skin, oily, sensitive, or combination skin. Depending on the type of mask you use, they can help moisturise dehydrated skin, strip pores of unwanted debris like oil, dirt, and dead skin, fight and prevent acne breakouts, target fine lines and wrinkles, soothe sensitive skin, and improve the appearance of uneven skin.
Choosing The Best Mask For Your Skin
Clay, Mud, And Charcoal
Clay masks have been around for millennia, being the preferred beauty product of ancient Egyptians and Aztecs alike. They’re usually made with bentonite clay, which is said to be rich in healing minerals, and are often mixed with other ingredients like activated charcoal, turmeric, and coffee.
Clay and charcoal are absorbent substances, meaning they’re excellent at drawing out dirt and unwanted nasties from your pores and lessening oiliness.
Peel-off
Like clay masks, peel-off masks work as exfoliants, stripping off dead skin cells, dirt, and oil. These are great for acne and blackhead-prone folks. Though they can be a bit painful to remove, peeling off a mask can be incredibly satisfying, especially after seeing your skin glow!
Gel
While clay and peel-off masks reduce oiliness, gel masks, on the other hand, will refresh and hydrate dry skin. They’re often made with natural ingredients that have hydrating properties, such as aloe vera, avocado, oatmeal, and collagen.
Cream
Much like gel masks, cream masks are ideal for dry, dehydrated skin. Some cream masks also have anti-acne properties, as well as wrinkle and fine-line treating ingredients. This is why you’ll often find cream masks marketed to women over 40.
Homemade
Though homemade masks are the least convenient option, DIY-ing a face mask lets you save money and monitor the ingredients that’ll go on your face. Most household products can be used to create a face mask, from honey to egg whites.
Sheet
The K-Beauty trend put a spotlight a ton of really cool skincare products, including the much-loved Korean sheet masks. These days, you can get a face sheet mask pretty much anywhere, from Chemist Warehouse to Priceline. Sheet masks are so popular because, not only are they super convenient, they also come in different variants that address specific skin types. So whether your skin is oily, dry, or combination, or want a mask for glowing skin, plump skin or a burst of hydrations, there’s one for you.
For best results, gently stretch the sides of your sheet mask to fully cover the contours of your face – pressing gentling to ensure a good fit around your eyes, nose and mouth. Leave for 10 to 15 minutes (or follow packet directions) for glowing skin, then remove, gently patting any remaining product (don’t waste those precious ingredients, like niacinamide, collagen or Vitamin C) into your skin and neck.
The 7 Best Face Masks In Australia
7. Garnier Hydra Bomb Ultra Hydrating Soothing Mask, $6 each from Coles
Ingredients: Pomegranate extract, hyaluronic acid, witch hazel leaf water
What it does: Hydrates and soothes dry skin.
Why we love it: Inspired by Japanese and Korean sheet masks, Garnier’s tissue face sheet mask is a cheap and easy-to-use mask that leaves skin feeling fresh and hydrated in just 15 minutes.
6. OLAY Regenerist Niacinamide + Collagen Peptide 24 Sheet Mask, $10.99 each from Priceline
Ingredients: Collagen Peptide, Niacinamide
What it does: Instantly firms for plump and glowing skin.
Why we love it: This luxe collagen peptide and niacinamide mask will give you that ‘morning skin’ look all day long – all while delivering 24 hours of hydration to target dry skin and instantly plumping the skin to target fine lines and wrinkles. Each mask contains one third of the active ingredients found in the Olay Collagen Peptide 24 moisturiser, and is formulated without parabens, sulphates, phthalates, petrolatum and mineral oils. With an ultra-soft feel for a relaxing and rejuvenating experience, each face sheet mask is enhanced with a special elastic substrate to ensure an optimal fit to the face – meaning it won’t slip or move, so multi-tasking while you sheet mask won’t be a problem.
5. Lush Mask of Magnaminty, $18.95 for 125g from Lush
Ingredients: Australian honey, kaolin clay, peppermint oil, ground organic aduki beans
What it does: Gently exfoliates skin, cleanses it of dirt and oil, and stimulates blood cells to help it glow.
Why we love it: For men and women who prefer to keep their facial products 100 percent natural, you can opt to get the self-preserving Mask of Magnaminty, which cleanses without the use of synthetic preservatives!
4. L’Oreal Paris Pure Clay Detoxifying Charcoal Mask, $19.99 from Chemist Warehouse
Ingredients: Kaolin clay, montmorillonite, ghassoul, charcoal
What it does: Detoxifies skin of impurities and brightens complexion.
Why we love it: Instead of relying on just one type of clay, this mask combines 3 pure clays which absorb excess oil without drying out your skin. It’s a powerful yet gentle mask that works wonders on oily and combination skin.
3. Sukin Natural Pink Clay, $19.95 from Sukin
Ingredients: Bentonite, cucumber, chamomile, hematite powder, Tasmanian pepper, aloe vera
What it does: Detoxifies skin of impurities, for glowing skin.
Why we love it: Specially formulated for sensitive skin with soothing ingredients like aloe and cucumber, this mask helps acne-prone folks achieve clear, glowing and bright skin.
2. Swisse Manuka Honey Detoxifying Facial Mask, $12.99 from Swisse
Ingredients: Charcoal, Australian white kaolin clay, manuka honey, salicylic acid
What it does: Purifies skin while hydrating it at the same time.
Why we love it: Manuka Honey is an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory natural ingredient that soothes skin as it cleanses it. Meanwhile, salicylic acid is one of the most effective anti-acne ingredients on the market!
1. The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask, $9 for 15ml from The Body Shop
Ingredients: Bamboo charcoal, green tea leaves, tea tree oil
What it does: Absorbs impurities, unclogs and tightens pores.
Why we love it: This tingling clay mask is one of The Body Shop’s current best-sellers. Aside from being super effective at rejuvenating skin and tightening pores, it’s also 100 percent vegan, paraben, paraffin, mineral oil, and silicone-free!
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