The 14 Best Acne-Fighting Face Masks

For fast-acting, pimple-banishing results.

face mask
(Image credit: Getty)

Raise your hand if your skin has been acting up recently. (Reader, my two hands are reaching for the sky right now.) Maybe it's the weather changing, maybe it's stress—but for whatever reason, myself and everyone around me has blemishes and breakouts to spare. 'Tis the season for our complexions going off the rails, apparently. Even if you've invested in an everyday acne-fighting skincare routine, from face washes to moisturizers, sometimes you need something extra to kick cystic flare-ups and random pimples to the curb. Enter: acne-fighting face masks.

Can a face mask actually help acne?

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Yes. Of all the face masks in existence—and there are limitless options these days—the ones that fight acne may just show results the fastest. If your T-zone is constantly slick and messing with your foundation game, a few dabs of a clay formula can nix extra oil instantly. And of you wake up with some random red bumps on your cheeks, a calming mask can quell inflammation and take down that rosiness fast. Even better, new ingredients are being discovered and tested all the time to defeat the blemishes that threaten to appear at any moment.

So, to streamline your shopping, we've rounded up the absolute best masks for every skin type and kind of acne. (Hot tip: Grab a few different options if you can, and multi-mask for a more bespoke treatment.) From soothing gel formulas for reactive, sensitive skin to muddy clay that's served best slathered on oily complexions, there's something for everyone.

Taylore  Glynn

Taylore Glynn is the Beauty and Health Editor at Marie Claire, covering skincare, makeup, fragrance, wellness, and more. If you need her, she’s probably roasting a chicken, flying solo at the movies, or drinking a bad Negroni at JFK.