How To Remove Different Kinds of Face Masks

If you recently added a new kind of face mask to your arsenal, but aren’t sure how to remove it, we’ve got you covered with our ultimate guide to removing face masks. Learn how to remove clay masks, overnight masks, carbonated masks, and more, ahead.

It should come as no surprise that our Skincare.com editors are obsessed with face masks. From clay masks to gel masks to overnight masks, the options (and benefits) are pretty much endless! And while knowing how to apply face masks the right way can make or break a face masking experience, knowing how to remove them can be just as important (especially when it comes to those pesky, hard-to-remove clay masks we all love to indulge in). Keep reading for our ultimate guide to removing different kinds of face masks.

HOW TO REMOVE CLAY MASKS

Looking for a way to help purify the appearance of your pores and cleanse your skin? Give clay masks a try! If you have oily or acne-prone skin, clay masks are a must-have. They not only soak up all traces of dirt and grease but they make for excellent Instagram selfies, too. We love clay masks—especially these Pure-Clay masks from L’Oréal Paris—for their ability to help remove impurities from the skin’s surface. To add some additional pampering to your skin care routine, you can turn to your trusty Clarisonic Facial Cleansing Brush to help you remove your clay mask. To remove a clay mask with your Clarisonic, simply wet the brush head with warm water, press the on button, and move the brush up and down each area of your face in circular motions. Rinse skin thoroughly and follow up with a nourishing moisturizer. For easy removal, leave on for 10 or 15 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water. If you want to save the pampering for another time and are just looking to remove the mask without your Clarisonic device, we recommend following the directions on product packaging.

HOW TO REMOVE MUD MASKS

If you prefer mud masks over clay masks, you’ll find that while the benefits of each can differ, the removal process is pretty much the same. After applying a mud mask to your complexion and following the instructions for how long to leave the mud mask on, you can further pamper your skin by reaching for your Clarisonic Facial Cleansing Brush to help you remove your mud mask. Before you start the removal process, dampen your brush with lukewarm water, then begin massaging each area in upward circular motions. Once the mask has been lifted and removed from your skin, follow up with moisturizer. (Keep in mind, if you don’t have a Clarisonic you can also follow the removal directions on your product’s packaging.

HOW TO REMOVE SHEET MASKS

Perhaps one of the easiest ways to treat your skin to a facial mask, sheet masks can provide your skin with some great benefits as well and they are more equipped for on-the-go skin care—as they are super easy to remove. To remove a sheet mask from your skin, simply peel the soaked fabric back from the surface of your skin, toss it in the garbage, and gently massage any excess essence onto your face, neck, and décolletté.

Can’t decide on what kind of sheet mask to use in your weekly regimen? We share three of our favorites, here.

HOW TO REMOVE OVERNIGHT MASKS

If you don’t already use an overnight mask in your weekly skin care regimen, now is the time to start. Sleep is your skin's chance to refresh and renew itself, which is especially important after a day spent exposed to external aggressors. We love overnight masks for their ability to help provide your skin with benefits and results while you sleep! skin And guess what? The removal process can be just as easy as sheet masks! When applying an overnight mask to your skin, you generally apply a thin layer of the product to your skin, allow the mask to do its thing (according to the instructions…of course) and then use a soft tissue to remove the excess product. Once you’re left with a light film, massage the mask into your skin (like you would a moisturizer) and voilá!

HOW TO REMOVE PEEL-OFF MASKS

Peel-off masks can be easy, incredibly fun and super satisfying—if you’re into peeling things away from your skin. They’ve gained traction among the skincare-obsessed for the way they lift away grime. They’re generally gel-like in texture and glide onto the skin easily for an all-over, even coverage. After applying a peel-off mask to your skin, allow the mixture to dry completely—per the instructions—before attempting to peel (if you don’t, the mask can be harder to remove). Then, pull up on the outside of the mask (it doesn’t matter if it is at your chin, forehead, or cheek… just as long as it is the outside) and begin to gently peel it off, starting from the forehead and pulling downwards. Be careful not to pull too quickly, as doing so can make for a pretty uncomfortable, and irritating experience.

Need help choosing a peel-off mask that can help target your concerns? Discover our favorite peel-off face masks, here!

HOW TO REMOVE CREAM MASKS

Similar to overnight masks—though not all of them are made to be left on while you snooze, so make sure to read the directions beforehand—cream masks can provide the skin with a burst of nourishment and are intended to be removed with a soft tissue. They are ideal for people with normal to dry skin who want to rejuvenate their facial skin by adding moisture. After applying a creamy mask to your skin, allow the conditioning formula to do its thing according to the package instructions, then tissue off with a soft—read: nonabrasive—tissue. After you’ve removed the excess product, massage any leftover residue into your skin. If your cream mask requires a thorough rinse, use a lukewarm washcloth to remove the excess product and pat dry with a towel before applying moisturizer.

HOW TO REMOVE EXFOLIATING MASKS

If you were to list some products you need for glowing skin, an exfoliator would probably be at the top of the list. Exfoliating face masks are one of our favorite multi-tasking skin care products. These face masks generally come in clay or gel-like formulas and can provide the skin with a refreshing cleanse, nourishment, and exfoliation. A mask with exfoliating properties helps slough off the top layer of dead skin cells. These masks are usually applied like a cleanser and usually contain microbeads. If your exfoliating face mask is clay-based, wait until the mask has dried, then wet your face with lukewarm water and gently massage the skin in upward, circular motions. Then, rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and follow up with a nourishing moisturizer. If your exfoliating mask is gel-based, leave the mask on according to the package directions, then gently massage the mask into your skin in upward, circular motions before removing with a lukewarm washcloth and applying a nourishing moisturizer.

HOW TO REMOVE EYE MASKS

Similar to sheet masks, eye masks generally consist of essence-soaked material that can be applied to the under-eye area for a specific amount of time. Though not intended for everyday use, they offer a moisture “boost” to the under-eye area on sleepy mornings. To remove eye masks, simply peel back the material and use your pinky or ring finger to dab in any leftover essence. Don't forget to apply an under-eye cream afterward to keep your skin from getting taut. Under-eye skin is much thinner than the rest of your face and very sensitive, after all.

HOW TO REMOVE GEL MASKS

Similar to cream masks and overnight masks, gel masks can generally be applied to the skin, tissued off, and worn to bed after. But, not all gel masks are created equal, and some require thorough removal. To remove a gel mask from your skin, soak a washcloth in lukewarm water and drape it over your face. Then, gently wipe the mask off of each area of your face and follow up with a splash of lukewarm water to ensure that you got everything off. After the mask has been removed, apply a nourishing moisturizer and you’re good to go.

HOW TO REMOVE CHARCOAL MASKS

Charcoal masks are growing in popularity as the new, go-to solution for all your skin issues. Its popularity is due to its absorbent qualities, which means it can help pull out toxins and dirt from your skin’s surface. If you love charcoal face masks, but find it hard to remove them, you’re not alone. While some charcoal face masks can be tougher to remove than others, they certainly aren’t as easy as a sheet mask. In a video shared by The Body Shop, facialist and body care expert for the brand, Vanda Serredor suggests removing a charcoal face mask with a muslin cloth soaked in lukewarm water. Doing so can make for an easier—read: more efficient—removal.

HOW TO REMOVE CARBONATED MASKS

ICYMI: Carbonated masks are having a major moment right now. Carbonated masks generally glide onto the skin in a similar manner to that of a mud mask—only once in contact with the skin, they can begin to lather into a bubble-like texture. The carbonation and fizz helps to remove toxins from the pores. Think of it as a deep clean and a super-charged facial massage at the same time. To remove a carbonated face mask, you can either wipe the mask away from the skin with a lukewarm washcloth, or rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water until the mask it removed entirely.

Just remember: when in doubt, follow the instructions for both application and removal that appear on your mask’s packaging. This will ensure that you are using your product the way it was intended to be used!

For more information on the different types of face masks, check out our ultimate guide to face masks, here.