A Beginner's Guide to Choosing the Perfect Face Mask For Your Skin Type

You’ve finally got your skincare routine down pat, but now you want to add a face mask to the mix. While finding a mask that looks cool on your Instagram stories isn’t so difficult, selecting one that will actually work for your skin's temperament and produce results (read: do more than just look cool) can be a harder act to follow.  

That being said, with so many products to choose from (and only one face), the key to mask-matchmaking is all about taking into account what skin type category you fall into. Not only will this information help you in narrowing down suitable products, but it will also ensure you'll ultimately get the type of results you're after (think: clarifying, brightening, hydrating - the list goes on).

In order to help you find the perfect face mask (and avoid it feeling like rocket science) we’ve pulled together a beginner's friendly guide to finding the right formula-fit, so you can not only make the most difference in your complexion but also enjoy a proper ‘self-care’ moment. Keep reading below for our guide.

Normal Skin Type

If you’re blessed with a normal skin type (lucky you) your skin can still benefit from a regular mask treatment. While you can basically take your pick when it comes to choosing a mask to use, we’d recommend focusing on products that will assist in brightening and hydrating your complexion and avoid using any products that may be too harsh or stripping (for example, a product that’s targeted towards acne-prone or oily skin).

If you’re looking for one mask to use on a regular basis we can’t go past the Alder New York Brightening Face Mask. Not only will it work to exfoliate and firm thanks to the addition of Kaolin Clay, but it’s also packed full of radiance-boosting vitamin C and Calendula and Chamomile extracts to nourish and calm for an instant skin fix.

Oily Skin Type

Oily skin can often be blemish-prone, so tackling excess shine and impurities will be at the top of your wishlist. You'll want to look for products that will not only help to draw out impurities but also assist in calming and refining the overall look of the skin. The best masks for oily skin types will generally be clay-based, or those that include ingredients that gently exfoliate the skin and target congestion.

Our go-to is the Alder New York Clarifying Face Mask, as it will not only reduce inflammation (thanks to the addition of Willow Bark and Rosemary) but also draw out impurities and assist in oil control.  

Combination Skin Type

Combination skin can sometimes feel like one of the tricker skin types to treat, but it’s actually not as complicated as it sounds. When it comes to choosing the right face mask for combination skin, you want to look for a product that targets a range of concerns like the Moon Bath Cosmic Glow Clay Face Mask & Brush. This clay-based mask will help to refine the skin, whilst the addition of calming and nourishing botanicals prevent over-drying and keep the skin feeling soft, supple and brightened.

Another great option for treating the skin type is to use multiple masks to target different areas of concern. For example; applying a clay mask to more congested areas such as the nose and chin and a hydrating mask around the cheeks and perimeter of the face.

Dry Skin Type

Whether a result of the elements, overuse of harsh products or simply ageing, dry skin can truly benefit from the added hydration boost that a regular mask treatment provides. Because of this, when looking for a mask that’s the right fit for dry skin, we suggest focusing on products that feature hydrating, soothing and restoring properties.

Our favourite is the Alder New York Smoothing Face Mask. This skin rejuvenating mask is packed with Hyaluronic acid to plump skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines whilst Sea Kelp boosts collagen and encourages cell turnover, providing gentle exfoliation to the skin for a smoother, more even complexion. The fragrance, silicone, paraben and phenoxyethanol-free formula also means you don’t need to worry about any unwanted or potentially irritating ingredients that may further upset the balance of your skin.

Shop our range of bath and beauty products now.

Enjoyed this? Here's how to simplify your skincare routine.