8 purifying and brightening face masks to keep your skin feeling fresh

While the rains make for a beautiful backdrop for your americano on your Instagram story, they don’t do much good for your skin. The increased humidity instantly makes your skin stickier and appear dull and sallow, no matter your skin type. Stepping out in the monsoon also means that the chances of dirt and grime clogging your pores and sticking to your face are higher, adding to the aforementioned skin concerns. We’ve rounded up eight face masks that can help deep clean your skin and leave it looking fresh and brightened.

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque

Humidity = excess oil production = acne—this, we know. Enter: Everyone’s favourite acne-busting ingredient, salicylic acid in a mask, blended with charcoal and Amazonian clays to detox and brighten, along with squalane to nourish your skin. If you’re dealing with bumps owing to the rains and maskne, you’ll love this skin saviour.

Sulwhasoo Herbal Clay Purifying Mask

Unlike regular clay-based masks, this herbal, skin-soothing formula is gentle enough for all skin types to use (since it contains PHAs to exfoliate) without worrying about dryness or itchiness after. It effectively cleans out your pores and calms skin along the way.

Aminu The Earthen Healer Nordic Mud Mask

As the name suggests, this mask makes use of mud from Finnish lakes which is rich in minerals, botanicals and glacial waters to thoroughly clean out your pores. It has also been formulated with vitamins, amino and fatty acids that come together to give your skin a fresh, radiant glow.

Après Pacific Pacific Glow Clay Mask

This potent antioxidant blend of turmeric, aloe and amla along with collagen is the ideal solution to tackle monsoon dullness. It’s packed with Vitamin C which helps tackle dark spots and acne marks while also giving your skin a brightening boost on the whole.

Kora Organics Turmeric Brightening and Exfoliating Mask

This two-in-one skincare formula works as a granulated exfoliator and brightening face mask—thanks to the rosehip seeds and papaya, and turmeric, respectively—to deep cleanse, minimise pores and brighten your skin with every use. PS, you can use it as an exfoliator twice a week or as a weekly mask depending on your skin’s needs.

111Skin Microbiome Blemish Mask

Excessive humidity can lead to bacterial growth on your skin which causes acne, blackheads and clogged pores. This gently exfoliating pre- and post-biotic mask helps get rid of said bacteria while also balancing your skin barrier, preventing further growth.

The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask

An Ayurveda-based formula, this vegan blend comes loaded with bamboo charcoal, tea tree oil and green tea leaves all of which work to minimise your pores and get rid of excess sebum. If your skin is normally quite oily as well, you can use this mask even twice a week to make sure it stays fresh throughout.

Summer Fridays R+R Mask

If you love the idea of exfoliating but are worried about your skin drying out, give this exfoliating mask a shot. It contains wild rose powder and rose essential oils that gently buff away dead cells while a mix of safflower, argan, sesame, grape seed and avocado oils moisturise your skin.

Also read:

8 skincare products and accessories made to tackle maskne

4 at-home facials for all your skincare concerns, by 4 celebrity facialists and skin pros

What is congested skin, and how can you prevent it from turning into acne?