Let’s face it (*pun intended*) …filters don’t follow us around IRL. The first step to having an IG-worthy flawless complexion starts with skincare, not makeup. There are *so many* types of face masks available and we know it can be super confusing trying to figure out what works best for you!

We broke down all the different types of facial masks, what they do, and the type of skin they work best for.

Enzyme

Purpose: Pineapple, papayas, and blueberries aren’t just for your breakfast smoothie. These fruits (and so many more) contain enzymes that satisfy your craving for glowing skin. Enzyme masks break down dead skin cells on the outermost layer of the skin revealing fresh, baby-like skin underneath. Get ready for the influx of hearts and comments on your social media because your newly brighter and smoother skin will give your selfies an insta-upgrade!

Best for: All skin types, including sensitive

Cosmo ME Recommends: Summer Fridays Overtime Mask, Dhs240, www.aspirebeautyco.com

Mud

Purpose: Sometimes it pays to get…muddy?! It does *if* your skin tends to get congested and oily! Mud masks are a watery combination of soil, silt, and minerals that have detoxifying and clarifying properties. These antibacterial masks help to clear skin by absorbing excess oil and unclogging pores.

Best for: All skin types, but use sparingly with dry and sensitive skin

Cosmo ME Recommends: NIOD Flavanone Mud, Dhs175, www.powder.ae

Jelly

Purpose: When Beyonce sang “I don’t think you’re ready for this jelly” we know she wasn’t singing about jelly masks! These lightweight Jello-like masks hail from the skin-loving world of K-beauty. Jelly masks are packed with ultra-hydrating ingredients that leave skin feeling soft and nourished. They work great under makeup and as an all-nighter mask, too!

Best for: Dry and dehydrated skin

Cosmo ME Recommends: First Aid Beauty Hello FAB Ginger & Tumeric Vitamin C Jelly Mask, Dhs112, www.lookfantastic.ae

Exfoliating

Purpose: Chemical exfoliants like alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids come in all forms. Serums, lotions, potions…and face masks. Alpha hydroxy acids exfoliate the outer surface layer of the skin. They also stimulate collagen production for firmer and more youthful-looking skin. Salicylic acid is great at combating blemishes for acne prone skin. This beta hydroxy acid unclogs pores, pulls out all the gunk residing in them, and tightens them up. Did you miss some sleep last night?

Exfoliating masks will make you look like you got a full eight hours.

Best for: All skin types, especially combination and oily

Cosmo ME Recommends: Herbivore Prism 20% AHA + 5% BHA Exfoliating Glow Facial, Dhs257, www.cultbeauty.co.uk

Sheet

Purpose: Probably the most popular mask at the moment, these one-use face-shaped masks deliver a concentrated dose of nutrient-packed serum to the skin. The fabric-like sheet forces the skin to absorb the serum rather than let it evaporate or slide away. Aside from being ultra-convenient, quick, and easy to use, they also make for great photos for the ‘gram. Don’t forget to squeeze the remaining serum out of the packet and pat it into your chest and arms. You’ll be feeling like a hydrated goddess in no time. 

Best for: All skin types

Cosmo ME Recommends: Watson’s Double HA Intensive Moisture Mask, Dhs10, www.watsons.ae

Clay

Purpose: Not to be confused with watery mud masks, clay masks are dryer in nature and made of a specific mineral substance. Traditionally, these deep-cleansing masks were *super drying* because they absorbed all the excess oil in the skin. However, nowadays, there is a spectrum of clay masks and some are packed with gentler clays and moisturizing ingredients as well. 

Best for: Oily and acne-prone skin

Cosmo ME Recommends: The Inkey List Kaolin Clay Mask, Dhs30, www.asos.com

Hydrogel

Purpose: Hydrogels are the cool cousins of the sheet masks. No seriously, they are cool- or cooling- we should say, because they’re made of a skin-soothing gel-like substance called bio-cellulose. Hydrogel masks are saturated in serum and maximize hydration by providing an occlusive barrier and locking it into the skin. You can also find them in smaller targeted treatments for the lips and under eyes.

Best for: All skin types, especially sensitive

Cosmo ME Recommends: Project Lip Prep the Pout- Collagen Lip Mask, Dhs32, www.namshi.com

Gel

Purpose: If your skin needs a little TLC, gel masks are a gentle way to give the skin a hydration boost. These skin-cooling masks are great to use after an intense workout session or too much sun on the Palm. Try leaving it on all night to wake up with some seriously soft skin!

Best for: Dry, dehydrated, and sensitive skin

Cosmo ME Recommends: Skin Advanced Platinum Platinum Watery Luminous Hydra Gel Mask, Dhs159, www.watsons.ae

Bubble

Purpose: Need a deep cleanse *and* a good laugh? It’s nearly impossible not to have a smile on your face when using a bubble mask. With more bubbles than a Friday brunch, these sheet masks outrageously foam up making you look like your head, is quite literally, in the clouds! When the mask is exposed to oxygen, tiny bubbles form. These bubbles allow for deeper penetration of cleansing ingredients within the mask to remove impurities from your pores. Skin looks brighter and smoother after only one use.

Best for: Normal to oily and acne-prone skin

Cosmo ME Recommends: Sephora Collection The Bubble Mask, Dhs35, www.sephora.ae

Charcoal

Purpose: Known for its absorption abilities, charcoal can help to draw out bacteria, dirt, and excess oil in the skin. Are you outdoors a lot in the middle of the city? Charcoal can help to remove the pollution that gets embedded into pores. These masks help to remove blackheads *and* prevent new ones from appearing.

Best for: Oily to combination and acne-prone skin

Cosmo ME Recommends: Buddy Scrub Activated Charcoal Face Mask, Dhs75, www.sprii.ae

Peel Off

Purpose: When you were younger, did you ever pour glue on your hand and pick it off while in school? It’s *kinda* like that but for your face. #samesamebutdifferent

Peel masks are physical exfoliants. Typically, you’ll find them to be a gel-like texture that dries on the skin. Once dry, you get the oh-so-satisfying job of peeling the mask off. The top layer of dead skin cells is removed revealing brighter and smoother skin. A word of caution- there is serious ouch-factor is you have peach fuzz on your face.

Best for: Oily and combination skin

Cosmo ME Recommends: Pixi T-Zone Peel-Off Mask, Dhs100, www.asos.com

Cream

Purpose: Chock-full of oils and moisturizing ingredients, cream masks help to nourish dried out skin cells. As the cells plump up with moisture, skin instantly looks and feels more supple and softer. This is the perfect mask to use after a busy day at work and get your skin prepped and primed for a night out.

Best for: Normal to dry skin and dehydrated skin

Cosmo ME Recommends: Dermalogica Hydro Mask Exfoliant, Dhs314, www.dermalogica.ae