Your Tote

When to Use a Face Mask for Acne

When an acne mask isn’t the answer, here’s what to use instead

Written by: 100% PURE ®
Main_face with our Deep Detox Mask....jpg

Buyer beware: acne treatments are never a one-size-fits-all solution.

A single pimple pops up, and you’re ready to load up on multi-step treatments, acids, and face masks. While it’s tempting to reach for the strongest acne-fighting product first, ask yourself: do I really need it?

If you’re prone to dry skin for example, it’s very likely that breakouts haven’t been a big issue throughout your skin care journey. As such, you wouldn’t need to bust out say, a super potent acne face mask just to purge one pimple. Perhaps a spot treatment, or a more thorough cleansing routine might do the trick.

We all go through periods of breakouts and the occasional irritation, but this doesn’t always call for a full acne treatment. An over-the-top approach may actually exacerbate irritation! It’s important to understand that your skin will undergo cycles – so if you’re getting the occasional blemish or two, don’t stress.

Without further ado, let’s go over the times when you do want a face mask for acne, and what to use instead when you don’t.


Products near sink w tower.jpg
Acne Treatments for Dry Skin

If your skin’s on the drier side, you can still experience hormonal changes that can lead to breakouts – especially during periods of stress. Still, this probably doesn’t mean you need an entire face mask for acne management. In fact, it might actually be detrimental to your skin’s microbiome.

Our skin produces sebum in order to keep skin healthy and hydrated. It also works as a barrier against harmful bacteria. This is one of the main ways acne masks work: by reducing the sebum levels in your skin. For some individuals, this is helpful – but for dry skin types, it’s not.

When the oil levels in our skin are depleted, our bodies can read this as a sign to make more sebum, and possibly lead to bigger acne problems overall. So if your skin is on the normal-to-dry side, we don’t really recommend a full face mask for acne treatment. Instead, employ a spot treatment to target pimples as they arise.

What to use for dry skin

Our Tea Tree Concentrated Spot Treatment uses the power of antimicrobial and antifungal botanicals to help fade existing blemishes. Witch hazel helps balance oil production in the skin, while tea tree oil helps restore pH balance in the skin barrier while clearing the pores of impurities.

All you need is a few drops, but if you feel like you’re experiencing a pattern of regular breakouts, advancing to a mask may be helpful. In this case, it might be best to stick to something gentle and hydrating, like our Anti-Acne Sheet Mask. This mask combines witch hazel and willow bark with aloe vera and vegetable glycerin.


Deep Detox Mask jar open....jpg
Acne Treatments for Oily & Acne-Prone Skin

If your skin ranges from shiny to greasy throughout the day – or if makeup tends to slide off your skin – there’s a good chance that you have an oily/acne-prone skin type.

Those with oily or acne-prone skin may experience frequent breakouts well into their 30s and 40s. Women with this skin type may also find themselves more prone to hormonal acne during their periods. Hormonal acne is especially a bother for some, as it can be quite painful and difficult to conceal.

If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone! According to one study, around 12-22% of American women suffer from adult acne. That’s compared to the 4-6% of men.

That being said, those with acne-prone skin may benefit from incorporating a face mask for acne into their regimen every 2 weeks, after they’ve cleansed and toned their skin. Those with a case of hormonal acne caused by stress or menstruation may benefit from an additional face mask during flare ups.


What to use for oily/acne-prone skin

For regularly treating acnegenic skin, our powder cleansers can work beautifully as a face mask for acne. Our Lavender Oat Milk Soothing Cleanser is helpful for those with particularly irritated skin as it contains colloidal oatmeal, coconut milk, and lavender to calm the skin and reduce redness.

The Pore Detox Herbal Cleanser is well suited for cystic acne that suffers from painful inflammation. This is thanks to its purifying yet gentle ingredients like coneflower, dandelion, green clay, and neem. Simply add water to your powder formula of choice, and apply to cleanse skin. Leave it on for about 10 minutes before rinsing off.

For the occasional hormonal breakout, we recommend our Tea Tree Deep Detox Mask. This is our most potent face mask for acne, designed to detoxify and refine the pores with some of the best-known ingredients for the job.

In addition to tea tree, this mask also contains salicylic acid – found in willow bark – and works wonders for unclogging congested pores. Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid; BHAs are great for acne-prone skin because they gently exfoliate the pores on a molecular level to help reduce acne.

In this mask, you’ll also find French green clay, which draws toxins out of the skin like a magnet while reducing surface oil. Azelaic acid, which is derived from grains, helps the skin reduce existing redness while helping to prevent breakouts in the future.

We carefully hand-select products based on strict purity standards, and only recommend products we feel meet this criteria. 100% PURE™ may earn a small commission for products purchased through affiliate links.

The information in this article is for educational use, and not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should not be used as such.


Sign up to our email newsletter for more blog updates and exclusive discounts.

Older Post | Newer Post >

RELATED POSTS

SHOP THE STORY

BEFORE YOU CHECKOUT

Unlock Free Samples

GET 2 FREE SAMPLES WITH ANY $25 PURCHASE.

Charcoal Clay Cleanser Sample Packet

primary

Charcoal Clay Cleanser Sample Packet

[empty]

See full product

Hydra Drench Cream Sample Packet

primary

Hydra Drench Cream Sample Packet

[empty]

Green Tea EGCG Cream Sample Packet

primary

Green Tea EGCG Cream Sample Packet

[empty]

Hand Sanitizer Gel Sample Packet

Available in US only. Unavailable for expedited shipping.

primary

Hand Sanitizer Gel Sample Packet

Fragrance-free gel sanitizer that helps reduce disease-causing bacteria while providing lasting hydration with aloe vera juice.

See full product

2nd Skin Foundation: Shade #2 Sample Packet

primary

2nd Skin Foundation: Shade #2 Sample Packet

[empty]

2nd Skin Foundation: Shade #5 Sample Packet

primary

2nd Skin Foundation: Shade #5 Sample Packet

[empty]

Tinted Moisturizer: Peach Bisque Sample Packet

primary

Tinted Moisturizer: Peach Bisque Sample Packet

[empty]

Tinted Moisturizer: Golden Peach Sample Packet

primary

Tinted Moisturizer: Golden Peach Sample Packet

[empty]

Kelp & Mint Shampoo Sample Packet

primary

Kelp & Mint Shampoo Sample Packet

Hydrating and invigorating shampoo gently purifies while adding bounce, body, and luster. Kelp thickens and strengthens while seaweed collagen adds shine.

Tinted Moisturizer: White Peach Sample Packet

primary

Tinted Moisturizer: White Peach Sample Packet

[empty]

Blood Orange Shower Gel Sample Packet

primary

Blood Orange Shower Gel Sample Packet

[empty]

Luminous Primer Sample Packet

primary

Luminous Primer Sample Packet

This primer uses light reflective pigments to make skin look more radiant, enhance luminous foundations, and blur imperfections.

Mattifying Primer Sample Packet

primary

Mattifying Primer Sample Packet

Skin healthy ingredients make this the perfect makeup primer for both face and eyes, to soften and smooth skin before you apply makeup.

Multi Vitamin Serum Sample Packet

primary

Multi Vitamin Serum Sample Packet

[empty]

2nd Skin Foundation: Shade #3 Sample Packet

primary

2nd Skin Foundation: Shade #3 Sample Packet

[empty]

2nd Skin Foundation: Shade #4 Sample Packet

primary

2nd Skin Foundation: Shade #4 Sample Packet

[empty]

Tinted Moisturizer: Sand Sample Packet

primary

Tinted Moisturizer: Sand Sample Packet

[empty]

Burdock & Neem Shampoo Sample Packet

primary

Burdock & Neem Shampoo Sample Packet

Purifying formula unclogs pores, stimulates circulation, and alleviates dryness, itching, and flaking. With added hydration for healthier scalp and hair.

See full product

X