12 Peel-Off Masks That Aren't a Pain (Literally) to Remove

Best Overall

Glamglow Gravitymud Firming Treatment Mask

4.4

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Who else recommends it? Harper's Bazaar, Elle, and Who What Wear all picked the Glamglow Gravitymud Firming Treatment Mask.

“Most peel-off masks seem gimmicky, but this one actually left my skin feeling ridiculously soft, smooth, and bright,” says Byrdie Editorial Director Faith Xue. It’s also very aesthetically pleasing—it actually changes color from white to a vibrant chrome while it dries—and the targeted formula works overtime to lift and tighten the skin. Still, this is a choice option for all skin types, given that it boasts both hydrating (glycerin, hyaluronic acid) and oil-absorbing (witch hazel, clay) ingredients. The included brush makes application a breeze, too.

Benefits: Lifts, firms | Active Ingredients: Licorice, marshmallow | Skin Type: Balanced, oily, combination, dry | Size: 0.5 oz., 1.7 oz., or 3.4 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Drugstore

Aveeno Clear Complexion Purely Matte Peel Off Face Mask

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There aren’t a ton of peel-off masks to be found at the drugstore, but happily, you can nab this standout. Alpha-hydroxy acids (glycolic and lactic) help to both unclog pores and tamp down excess shine, while the brand’s unique total soy complex evens out both skin tone and texture. There are also anti-aging and brightening variants available.

Price at time of publish: $14

Benefits: Unclogs pores, exfoliates, reduces shine | Active Ingredients: AHAs, soy, pomegranate | Skin Type: Oily, combination | Size: 0.35 oz. or 2 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Exfoliating

NEOVA SmartSkincare Serious Glypeel

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As a general rule of thumb, all peel-off masks will have some level of exfoliation, simply by way of that peeling action. But this really steps up the game, with a high concentration of glycolic acid, one of the best chemical exfoliants out there. Still, it also has soothing aloe and hydrating hyaluronic acid to minimize the likelihood of any irritation. Added antioxidants (vitamins A and C) are just the icing on the cake.

Benefits: Exfoliates, smooths texture, reduces lines and wrinkles, minimizes pores, calms irritation, hydrates | Active Ingredients: Glycolic acid, sodium PCA, ascorbyl palmitate, retinyl palmitate, sodium hyaluronate | Skin Type: All | Size: 2 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Best Hydrating

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Hyaluronic Marine Hydrating Modeling Mask

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Peel-off masks may generally be known as best for exfoliating or skin-clearing purposes, but this is an especially great moisturizing option. The professional-grade formula features a cushy hyaluronic acid gel that you mix with an activating powder to create a bouncy formula that you spread across your entire complexion.

(FYI, the thicker you apply it, the easier it will be to remove.) This two-step process creates an occlusive barrier on the skin that locks in hydration, making your skin look smoother, plumper, and dewier, not to mention also improves the look of pores and wrinkles. So much so that in a consumer study, 97% of the participants agreed that their skin felt more hydrated after using this mask just one time.

Benefits: Hydrates, calms irritation | Active Ingredients: Algin, sodium hyaluronate, magnesium | Skin Type: All | Size: 4x 1.58 oz. (cushion gel) and 0.12 oz. (activating powder) | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

Nassif MD Dermaceuticals Charcoal Peel-Off Face Mask

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Battling breakouts? Reach for this formula, which combines a long list of skin-clearing ingredients. Charcoal acts like a magnet to pull out impurities lodged in pores while willow bark extract (a natural form of salicylic acid) dissolves excess oil. It also contains bakuchiol, a plant-based ingredient that has similar effects as retinol, and a blend of alpha-hydroxy acids. Also nice: The ingredients help to fade dark marks left over from old blemishes, too.

Benefits: Unclogs pores, exfoliates, fades hyperpigmentation, prevents acne | Active Ingredients: Charcoal, caviar lime pearl, willow bark extract, phytic acid, glycolic acid, vitamin B3, bakuchiol | Skin Type: Acne-prone | Size: 4 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Firming

Dr. Jart+ Shake & Shot Rubber Firming Mask

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Yes, the whimsical packaging here is super cute and fun, but it’s also very practical. You mix the included booster and ampoule in the cup to create a freshly-made mask that’s extra potent and effective. The straw is actually a spatula you can use to apply an even layer of the mask (which transforms into a rubbery texture) all over, and let the active ingredients get to work. More specifically, retinol and a proprietary cellular ingredient to boost collagen and improve elasticity for firmer, tauter skin.

Benefits: Firms skin, improve elasticity, boosts collagen | Active Ingredients: Retinol, OxyForce Cellular Active | Skin Type: Oily, combination, sensitive, dry, balanced | Size: 0.68 oz. (super booster) and 1.25 oz. .(firming liquid ampoule) | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Best Brightening

Boscia Cactus Water Peel-Off Mask

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This gel-based option uses both vitamin C and sea algae extract for a seriously brightening boost, combating dullness in just 30 minutes. It’s also a top hydrating pick; the namesake cactus water quickly conditions and rehydrates dry skin. Pair those two benefits and you’ve got yourself a great choice to use before a big event. Byrdie Boy Andy Verderosa loved it so much he said the effects made his skin feel like, “a refurbished iPhone, restored to factory settings.” Talk about high praise.

Price at time of publish: $34

Benefits: Hydrates, softens, fades hyperpigmentation, boosts radiance, boosts collagen production, reduces fine lines and wrinkles | Active Ingredients: Queen of the Night Cactus, sea fern algae extract, vitamin C, peptide complex | Skin Type: Oily, combination | Size: 2.8 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Anti-Aging

Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Peel and Reveal Skin Mask

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Who doesn’t want to get multiple benefits from one skincare product? This mask does just that, thanks to a blend of exfoliating glycolic and salicylic acids that help clear out pores, reduce dark spots, and fight fine lines and wrinkles, too. But it doesn’t stop there: Soothing aloe vera extract calms redness and inflammation, while cabernet grapeseed extract packs a hefty dose of antioxidant protection. It’s an ideal pick for any and every kind of skin type and works in as little as 15 minutes.

Price at time of publish: $38

Benefits: Provides antioxidant protection, boosts radiance, calms irritation, exfoliates, softens, hydrates, unclogs pores, fades hyperpigmentation, reduces fine lines and wrinkles | Active Ingredients: Cabernet grapeseed extract, botanical complex, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, natural sugar extracts, aloe vera | Skin Type: Acne-prone, combination, dry, mature, balanced, oily, sensitive | Size: 1.7 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Best for Oily Skin

First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Purifying Mask with Red Clay

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If you have oily skin and your complexion needs a refresh, opt for this peel-off mask from First Aid Beauty. Red clay works overtime to remove dirt, oil, and grime while licorice root extract and vitamin C brighten the skin and protect against free radical damage. Just apply a thin layer to your skin, wait about 20 minutes for the mask to dry, peel it off, and rinse with warm water to reveal a noticeably radiant complexion.

Price at time of publish: $28

Benefits: Unclog pores, boosts radiance, provides antioxidant protection | Active Ingredients: Red clay, rosemary leaf oil, glycerin, FAB Antioxidant Booster | Skin Type: Balanced, combination, oily, acne-prone | Size: 3 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Soothing

florence by mills Charcoal Mind Glowing Peel-Off Face Mask

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You wouldn't normally think of peel-off masks as being particularly calming, but this option from Florence by Mills— the beauty brand launched by Gen-Z idol Millie Bobby Brown—certainly does the trick. Its gentle formula contains charcoal powder to help purge pores of impurities, but it gets its soothing feel from ingredients like witch hazel and lavender oil (which is one of Brown's go-to beauty staples). The lavender packaging is also super cute.

Price at time of publish: $22

Benefits: Unclogs pores, calms irritation | Active Ingredients: Charcoal powder, lavender oil, witch hazel | Skin Type: Balanced oily | Size: 1.7 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best With Vitamin C

skyn ICELAND Arctic Hydration Rubberizing Mask with Vitamin C

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Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, is known for its ability to enhance skin tone while shielding you from free radical damage. It's also a key ingredient in this mask, along with wintered red algae, arctic cloudberry seed oil, and sodium hyaluronate for a hydrating boost.

To apply, just squeeze the gel base and the treatment powder into the included tray, mix for about 30 seconds, and spread an even layer on your face with the spatula. Leave it on for 20 minutes—in this time, the mask will dry down into an innovative rubber texture that locks in moisture—then peel it off to reveal radiant skin.

Price at time of publish: $23

Benefits: Hydrates, calms irritation, boosts radiance, restores skin barrier, cools | Active Ingredients: Vitamin C, sodium hyaluronate, wintered red algae complex, arctic cloudberry seed oil, Icelandic Complex | Skin Type: Dry | Size: 1.59 oz. (gel base) and 0.16 oz. (treatment powder) | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes