Independent · EU, Korea & Japan
Everything a face mask does is on the back of the box.
We read it for you: 215 masks on sale in Europe, ingredient by ingredient, with the evidence and the EU limits attached.
301 ingredients documented · 299 cited sources · no affiliate links, ever
- 01AquaSolvent
- 02GlycerinHumectant
- 03Butylene GlycolHumectant
- 041,2-HexanediolSolvent
- 05PanthenolHumectant
- 06AllantoinActive
- 07Sodium HyaluronateHumectant
- 08Xanthan GumThickener
- 09TocopherolAntioxidant
- 10EthylhexylglycerinPreservative
- 11Citric AcidpH adjuster
- 12ParfumFragrance
Composed from 215 real lists, not copied from one: how we read a panel →
Start here
What is your skin doing?
- DryTight, flaky, drinks up moisturiser140 masks →
- DehydratedTight and dull, but still shiny155 masks →
- OilyShiny by midday, visible pores72 masks →
- CombinationOily T-zone, dry cheeks147 masks →
- NormalComfortable most of the time183 masks →
- SensitiveStings, flushes, reacts easily66 masks →
- Acne-proneRegular breakouts and congestion38 masks →
- MatureLoss of firmness, fine lines55 masks →
Most of a mask is the same four things
Water, a humectant, a thickener, a preservative.
That base is most of the bottle in almost everything here. What separates a €0.95 sheet mask from a €15 one is what comes after it, and how far down the list it sits.
Why the order matters →Read from the list, not the claims
A mask can say “gentle” on the front and still have three things on the back your skin won’t like.
3/5
contain fragrance or a declared allergen
The most common cause of cosmetic contact allergy. EU law makes the worst offenders be named.
See the 136 that do →…or the fragrance-free ones1/6
contain essential oils
Natural, and still a frequent trigger: tea tree, lavender, citrus.
See the 36 that do →…or the ones without1/5
contain a drying alcohol
High in a list means a fast, matte finish, and often tightness.
See the 45 that do →…or the ones without1/3
contain something flagged for pregnancy
Retinoids, salicylic acid, some essential oils. Reported from the label, not medical advice.
See the 66 that do →…or the ones with nothing flagged
The encyclopaedia
Three ingredients, and what their sources say
Chosen the same way every time: the best-sourced entries that turn up in the most masks, and that have both a benefit and a concern on record. Each one links to its full entry, with the studies behind it.
- NiacinamideVitamin B3A form of vitamin B3 used to even out skin tone, support the skin barrier and moderate oil production.3 sources · in 45 masks
- Salicylic AcidBHAAn oil-soluble exfoliating acid that works inside pores; the EU caps it at 2% in most face products.3 sources · in 15 masks
- CaffeineA plant stimulant used topically to temporarily tighten skin and reduce the look of puffiness, especially under the eyes.3 sources · in 7 masks
Cost per use, not per jar
The least expensive way to try one
The cheapest mask from each of 24 brands, cheapest first - €0.09 to €0.92 a go. Scroll for the rest.
01Balea
Reinigung, Peeling & Maske hautrein 3in1
€0.09 per use
02Garnier
Pure Active 3-in-1 Charcoal Wash, Scrub & Mask
€0.19 per use
03Neutrogena
Anti Pickel Gesichtsmaske 2in1
€0.19 per use
04Schaebens
Aloe Vera Maske
€0.28 per use
05SUNDANCE
After Sun Gesichtsmaske
€0.28 per use
06Balea med
Gesichtsmaske kühlend ultra sensitive
€0.30 per use
07Benton
Aloe Soothing Mask Pack
€0.30 per use
08alverde Naturkosmetik
Gesichtsmaske Q10 mit Vitamin C
€0.32 per use
09Luvos-Heilerde
Anti-Stress-Maske
€0.38 per use
10Beauty of Joseon
Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel
€0.45 per use
11Be Routine
Schlafmaske Glow & Hydrate
€0.47 per use
12Balea MEN
Gesichtsmaske Creme-Gel Hydro
€0.48 per use
13BIO:VEGANE
Gesichtsmaske Pore Detox Clay Mask
€0.48 per use
14Santé Naturkosmetik
Glow Boost Maske AHA
€0.48 per use
15alkmene
Mein Teebaumöl Anti-Unreinheiten Maske
€0.54 per use
16PURITO
Dermide Cica Barrier Sleeping Pack
€0.58 per use
17Medicube
Collagen Night Wrapping Mask
€0.60 per use
18LANEIGE
Water Sleeping Mask
€0.64 per use
19SOME BY MI
Daily Beta Panthenol Repair Mask
€0.66 per use
20Salthouse
Totes Meer Therapie Gesichtsmaske Mineral & Heilerde
€0.68 per use
21I'm From
Mugwort Mask
€0.76 per use
22Vichy
Normaderm 3-in-1 Peeling + Reinigungs-Creme + Maske
€0.77 per use
23LOGONA
Nourish Beruhigende Overnight Maske
€0.88 per use
24COSRX
Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Spa Mask
€0.92 per use
Method
How to read this site
Every ingredient list here was copied from a page we can point you at, and every product page records where and when. Where a list could not be sourced, the mask is not on the site.
Safety badges follow a published five-step rubric, and we use it in both directions: a badge saying an ingredient is fine is as much a finding as one saying be careful. Parabens at EU-permitted levels are not toxic; silicones do not suffocate skin. Where a real restriction or a real allergy risk exists, we name it and link the regulation.
Read the full method, including what we do not know.