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With the stresses of every day life (it's hard out here – you feel me?), if your skin hasn’t been playing ball, it’s no surprise. Even if you haven’t been fussed with treating spots, breakouts and uneven texture before, staring at ourselves in digital mirrors more than ever will have you reaching for antidotes. Whilst I don’t have stubborn acne, the return of my heavy periods over the past year have also brought the unwelcome bonus gift of cystic spots around my chin and nose every so often.
To help minimise the appearance of my breakouts I reach for a few products, including face masks that I apply to target specific areas. They help with redness and excess oil to even out texture and tone. “Acne is multifactorial and some of the key problems include disorder of oil glands and growth of the skin cells lining the follicle; inflammation and bacteria in the follicle,” says Dr Saleena Zimri SkinCeuticals ambassador and founder of Skin Doctor clinics.
Dr Zimiri advises you speak to a dermatology professional to advise you on the type of acne you have so you can make the best decisions for managing your skin.
As a heads up, these are the ingredients Dr Zimri says you should be incorporating into your routine to treat acne-prone skin;
Azelaic acid:
It's antibacterial and helps to combat blocked pores (comedones) by helping to return to normal the disordered growth of the skin cells lining the follicle. Can be prescribed by your doctor or found in some over the counter skin care.
Alpha (AHA) and Beta Hydroxy (BHA) acids:
You mainly want to look out for Glycolic (a sugar) and Salicylic acid when it comes to treating acne. Salicylic acid in skincare helps slow down shedding of the cells inside the follicles, preventing clogging. Salicylic acid also helps break down blackheads and whiteheads.
Retinol:
In a similar way to AHAs and BHAs, retinol can help with increased cell turnover and unclogging pores.
Below we’ve noted our go-to face mask for busting spots, pimples and excess oil while soothing skin so your next breakout doesn’t stand a chance...
Murad Rapid Relief Sulfur Mask 74ml
If I divert from my trusted five step skincare routine, I risk the chances of breaking out – hi, hello acne-prone, oily-type, sensitive skin!
However, implementing this tube of glory into said routine once a week works wonders for not only calming breakouts, but taming and preventing them, too.
I either lather a dollop of formula all over my face or onto targeted areas, leave for it to work its magic for 20 or so minutes, et voilá! Just don't forget to moisturise afterwards as the ingredients in this sulfur mask can be a little drying.
Caudalie Vinergetic C+ Overnight Detox Mask
ICYDK, Caudalie is a natural beauty brand that harnesses the use of ingredients from the vine and grapes. So, it's not unsurprising to hear that this product includes grape marc (aka, the remains of its juice), natch.
This, as well as the pink clay and coffee extract in its formula cleanses skin of impurities, eliminates excess sebum and tightens pores. Use twice a week as a rinse off treatment and trust us, you'll be good to glow!
Sephora Fenty Skin Cookies n Clean Face Mask 75ml
If it's Rihanna-approved, you best believe we're already on it. And ofc, this mask being by her very own brand speaks for itself. Formulated with clay, charcoal and salicylic acid makes for this perfect concoction that clarifies and smooths skin texture.
Admittedly, this mask sits at the higher end of our price point but for it's luxe feel and the wonders it works, can you really put a budget on skincare? I mean, my mother would say otherwise, though I highly disagree...
Not only does it enhance skin’s radiance by liberating the surface of dead, dull and damaged cells but it’s brilliant for reducing the appearance of scars and uneven skin tone, too.
NIP+FAB Salicylic Fix Clay Mask
Salicylic acid and clay are excess oils worst enemy, which is exactly why we love this face mask so much. With hyperactive ingredients, this formula is designed to leave your skin looking smoother than it has ever looked and its deeply detoxifying properties are ideal for lifting impurities away from the surface of your skin, as well as regulating excess sebum. The latter being a regular burden for those of us with acne-prone skin.
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
You may recognise this vegan, cruelty-free formula from your TikTok FYP and that's because it's loved by many for its ability to reduce the appearance of imperfections while revealing the more radiant skin underneath. Not to mention it's free from silicone, alcohol, oil, gluten and nuts!
With Medik8's Natural Clay Mask, deep-seated impurities will instantly melt away without stripping the skin of it's natural oils. Instead, the latter are brought back into balance and the appearance of pores will be undeniably refined.
Sand & Sky Brilliant Skin Purifying Pink Clay Mask
This little pink pot packs more punch than you might expect from a ‘grammable looking mask. Not only does it work to suck all the extra oil from your pores it also stimulates collagen production to for a bouncy, radiant glow.
Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque
While being poreless isn’t a thing (and actually doesn’t sound particularly appealing) this really helps to refine the texture of your skin and clears blackheads sharpish.
For hormonal acne, this mask has your back. It contains the usual spot busting ingredients like sage and antiseptic with the addition of hyaluronic acid for moisture and green tea to quell inflammation.
Natural clays, kaolin and bentonite in this formula pull dirt and excess oils from pores for fresher skin. Despite being a clay texture, it’s not drying and it includes hydroxy acid to exfoliate too.
The Body Shop Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Night Mask
This mask is a bestseller for The Body Shop for a reason. It’s enriched with tea tree oil that’ll absorb excess sebum from super-oily skin without drying the skin out (heads up, this ultimately leads to more sebum).
Dermalogica Sebum Clearing Masque
This mask is fast-acting and contains a ton of ingredients that’ll help to clear your breakouts effectively. Oil-absorbing clays alongside salicylic acid are an A+ mix for detoxification for more even tone and texture.
Carbon Theory Charcoal and Tea Tree Oil Mineral Breakout Control Facial Wet Mask
The ingredients in this mask aids in skin repairing while also detoxifying and helping with nourishing your complexion. It’s not too harsh either so you can slather on a thin layer up to three times a week.
Keeks Reid is the Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. While she loves all things beauty, Keeks is a hair fanatic through and through. She started her career in beauty journalism in 2013 as editorial assistant at Blackhair and Hair magazines working her way to Acting Editor of Blackhair magazine at 23 years old. She spent much of her career working in trade hairdressing media at Hairdressers Journal, Salon International and the British Hairdressing Awards. Which is why she is a regular contributor to Cosmo's Curl Up franchise. Now, alongside her Cosmo work, she presents, creates content on social media and works with a range of beauty companies; from magazines and websites to beauty brands and salons.
Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
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