How to Find the Best Face Mask For Your Skin Type

"The type of mask base depends on your skin oiliness," notes Jason Emer, cosmetic dermatologist and body contouring specialist in Beverly Hills. "Clay is best for those with thicker skin and a lot of oil, whereas jelly or biocellulose bases are good for those with sensitive skin who need hydration," he adds. If you're experiencing extra shine as a result of excess sebum production, you'll want to look for masks with clay, charcoal, or kaolin, which absorb oils and help detoxify pores. One example we love is the Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Mask ($17).

Expert tip: you can (and should!) mix organic aloe vera into your mask before applying. "Clay masks can severely dehydrate the skin, causing rebound oil production, which can result in more breakouts for people suffering from acne," explains celebrity aesthetician Candace Marino. "Mixing aloe into your clay masks will not only hydrate the skin but will help reduce inflammation and redness as well as kill bacteria. This also improves the texture of the mask and makes it much easier to remove."

"As a general rule, it's less about the mask type and more about the active ingredients," said Cambridge, MA, dermatologist, Ranella Hirsch. "Look for masks with the same key ingredients you're using in your skincare regimen to treat your primary concern," she adds. For example, for acne-prone skin, look for masks that contain sulfur like Sunday Riley Sulfur Treatment Mask ($55), or zinc oxide, like Origins Out of Trouble 10 Minute Mask to Rescue Problem Skin ($27). "It's instantly calming, helps with redness and inflammation, and is a known acne killer," notes Marino.

"If you have very sensitive skin, you'll want to avoid strong actives like retinol, glycolic, and salicylic acid, which may aggravate the skin," warns Emer. Instead, look for masks with calming and soothing ingredients like aloe, argan oil, hyaluronic acid, and honey. Peel-off masks can be especially harsh for sensitive-skin types, so stick to the lighter, whipped textures, and definitely search for a fragrance-free option like Josie Maran Whipped Mud Mask Argan Hydrating and Detoxify Treatment ($48).

Normal skin types have their pick of the litter when it comes to finding the best face mask. "I like to recommend something with vitamin C or licorice root extract for extra brightening," notes Sarkar. The fan favorite IS Clinical Hydra-Intensive Cooling Mask ($78) is formulated with a hylauronic acid base and powerful antiagers like reservatrol and green tea.

"It's soothing, hydrating, and cooling, making it great postprocedure or for postsun exposure to cool down the skin," says Marino. "It's especially great for anyone with chronically dehydrated skin and excellent for travel, as adjusting to new climates and flying can dehydrate the skin. I always tell my clients to carry on masks and use them on planes," Marino adds. Leave it on as long as possible (you can even sleep in it), and when you wake up, your skin will be ultrahydrated.

"My skin is generally dry, and I hyperpigment (get dark marks) easily so, although I don't use masks often, I generally use them for their hydrating effects and to help brighten," says Sarkar. Her favorite product to achieve exactly that is Drunk Elephant Babyfacial ($80). "It has 25 percent AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid, mostly glycolic acid) and 2 percent BHA (beta-hydroxy acid, salicylic acid). You have to make sure you build up to it if you're not used to using an acid, but I wake up with smoother, brighter skin in the morning."

For starters, sheet masks are easy to apply and can instantly turn you into a panda or princess in seconds (at least, until you take the mask off). "The reason they can be as effective as they are is because you apply them on a cleansed face, they stay on your face longer than some steps (like cleansers), and they have a sheet that essentially occludes the substance that you're applying on the face," explains Sarkar.

Her favorite time to use sheet masks? During the Summer. "I'll pop it in the fridge before I put it on, and it will help me instantly cool down," she adds. "I like to save the thick, rich, moisturizing masks for the Winter and mix a few drops of facial oil in to really pump up the emollient effect."

Sarkar's current sheet-mask obsession is Blossom Jeju Brightening Vitamin Essence Petal Mask ($6). The two-step mask includes camellia oil, which you apply to the skin first, then a sheet mask to apply on top. "The sheet mask has licorice root extract and other berry extracts that help to brighten the skin. However, you shouldn't use this one if you're allergic to fragrance because it is definitely scented. But it sure does smell amazing," Sarkar adds.

As for the frequency of your mask obsession, you may want to limit masking to once or twice a week for normal skin, or even less for those with sensitive skin. "Think of masks as a way to boost addressing a particular concern, like using something hydrating once or twice weekly when the skin dryness of Winter kicks in," recommends Hirsch.

You can monitor your skin's reaction to a mask, noting dryness, flaking, and redness, and adjust your regimen and frequency accordingly. "At home, I recommend everyone do a retinol mask at least once or twice a month to help get rid of acne and improve blemishes and pigmentation," recommends Emer. "And at least twice a week, use something that has pumpkin, papaya, or charcoal for exfoliating." Our favorite splurge-worthy retinol mask is Shiseido Benefiance Pure Retinol Intensive Revitalizing Face Mask($65).