The best face mask is the one that matches your skin type and what you want it to do. If your skin is oily or breakout-prone, a clay mask that draws out excess oil and helps unclog pores is usually the right call. If it is sensitive, dry or looking dull, a gentler clay or a hydrating mud mask will suit you better. This guide walks you through exactly how to choose, explains the clay-versus-mud question in plain English, and matches four vegan Glimify masks to the skin type each one is made for.
The short answer: match the mask to your skin and your goal
Face masks are a "boost" step rather than an everyday essential, so the trick is picking one that targets your specific concern. Before you shop, answer two quick questions: What is my skin type? (oily, combination, dry, sensitive or "normal") and What do I want to improve? (congestion and blackheads, redness and sensitivity, dryness, or a dull, uneven-looking complexion). Once you can answer both, choosing becomes simple — you are just looking for a mask whose formula lines up with those two answers. (For the bigger picture, our top skincare tips for glowing skin cover how the whole routine works together.)
If you are still building your regime, it is worth understanding where a mask sits in the wider picture first. Our beginner skincare routine guide shows how cleanser, treatment and moisturiser fit together, and a mask slots neatly in as a once-or-twice-a-week extra.
Clay mask vs mud mask: what is the difference?
These two get lumped together, but they behave differently on the skin.
Clay masks are built around clays such as kaolin. As they sit on the skin they absorb excess oil and help lift dirt and impurities out of the pores, which is why they suit oily, combination and blemish-prone skin so well. They tend to give that deep-cleanse, "mattifying" feeling. Because they are absorbent, the golden rule is to rinse a clay mask off before it fully cracks and dries out — leaving it on until it is bone dry can leave skin feeling tight.
Mud masks are typically more hydrating. They still cleanse and draw out impurities, but they hold more moisture, so they feel cooler and more comfortable and are kinder to skin that leans dry, combination or in need of a refresh. If a clay mask sometimes feels too "stripping" for you, a mud mask is often the more forgiving choice.
In short: reach for clay when oil control and unclogging pores are the priority, and mud when you want to cleanse while keeping skin hydrated and comfortable. Neither is "better" — they are simply built for different skin.
How to choose a face mask, step by step
1. Start with your skin type
Oily and acne-prone skin: a purifying clay mask is your best friend. Look for kaolin clay to soak up excess oil and help clear congestion. Masks like this pair well with a wider blemish routine — if blackheads are your main concern, our guide on how to get rid of blackheads at home explains how masking fits alongside cleansing and exfoliating.
Sensitive and reactive skin: you can still mask — just choose a gentler, calming clay formula that purifies without over-drying, and keep it to once or twice a week. Avoid anything that leaves your skin tight or stinging.
Dry and dehydrated skin: favour a hydrating mud mask over a strongly absorbent clay. Ingredients such as sodium hyaluronate (a form of hyaluronic acid) help the skin hold on to water so it feels soft rather than parched afterwards. If you want to understand why that ingredient matters, our hyaluronic acid explained guide breaks it down.
Dull or uneven-looking skin: look for a brightening mask, ideally one with vitamin C, to help revive tired-looking skin and even out the appearance of your tone.
2. Match the mask to your main concern
Skin type tells you the base formula; your concern narrows it down. Congestion and oiliness point to clay. Redness and reactivity point to a soothing, gentle formula. Tightness and flakiness point to hydration. A lacklustre, uneven complexion points to brightening. If you have more than one concern, it is perfectly fine to own two masks and multi-mask — applying, say, a clarifying mask over an oily T-zone and a hydrating one on drier cheeks.
3. Check the format and the label
Masks come in tubs, sachets and single-use pods. Pods are handy because each one is a pre-measured, hygienic dose with nothing left to dry out or get contaminated in a jar. Whatever the format, scan the label for the things that matter to you — whether that is a specific hero ingredient, or values such as vegan and cruelty-free credentials. Every Glimify mask is both vegan and cruelty-free.
4. Make sure it fits your routine
A mask is a once-or-twice-weekly step, used after cleansing and before your serum and moisturiser. It should complement the products you already use, not replace them. If you love the deep-clean feeling of a clay mask, follow it with a hydrating serum and moisturiser so your skin stays balanced.
Glimify's vegan face masks, compared
To make this concrete, here is how our four masks line up against the skin types and concerns above. You can see all of them in the Glimify Face Masks collection.
| Mask | Type | Best for | What it does | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revitalising Clay Mask Pods (10) | Clay pods | Oily & acne-prone skin | Kaolin clay deep-cleanses, draws out excess oil and helps unclog pores | £11.99 |
| Soothing Clay Mask Pods (10) (Bestseller) | Clay pods | Sensitive & reactive skin | Gently purifies pores and comforts the skin without over-drying | £11.99 |
| Cucumber Glow Mud Mask | Mud | Combination skin & hydration | Cooling cucumber plus sodium hyaluronate to cleanse while hydrating | £9.00 |
| Orange Glow Mud Mask | Mud | Dull, uneven-looking skin | Vitamin C from orange extract to brighten the look of tired skin | £9.00 |
The two clay pod masks come as single-use pods (10 per pack) — hygienic, pre-measured and mess-free — and are the pick for oil control and congestion, with the Soothing version formulated to be kind to sensitive skin. The two mud masks are the more hydrating, comfortable option: reach for Cucumber Glow for a cooling, refreshing cleanse, and Orange Glow when you want to brighten the look of a dull complexion. You will find all four in the Face Masks collection.
How often should you use a face mask?
For most people, once or twice a week is plenty. Oilier skin can usually handle a purifying clay mask two to three times a week, while sensitive or drier skin is happier with one gentle session a week. Masking more often is not "better" — with clay masks in particular, overdoing it can leave skin feeling tight, so let how your skin feels afterwards be your guide. Always apply to freshly cleansed skin, follow the timings on the pack (Glimify masks are designed for a 10–15 minute wear), and rinse thoroughly with warm water.
A quick word on patch testing
If your skin is sensitive or you are trying a new formula, do a patch test first: apply a small amount to an inconspicuous area such as the inner forearm or behind the ear, wait 24 hours, and check for any reaction before using it on your face. It is a simple habit that saves a lot of grief.
Key takeaways
- Choose a mask by answering two questions: what is my skin type, and what do I want to improve?
- Clay masks absorb oil and help unclog pores — ideal for oily and blemish-prone skin. Mud masks cleanse while holding more moisture — kinder to dry, combination and sensitive skin.
- Oily/acne-prone → purifying clay; sensitive → gentle calming clay; dry → hydrating mud; dull → brightening (vitamin C) mud.
- Use a mask once or twice a week, after cleansing and before serum and moisturiser — it is a boost, not a daily step.
- Every Glimify mask is vegan and cruelty-free; the clay masks come as hygienic single-use pods.
- Patch test any new mask if your skin is sensitive.
Frequently asked questions
Is a clay or mud mask better for oily skin?
For oily and combination skin, a clay mask usually has the edge because clays such as kaolin are good at absorbing excess oil and helping to unclog pores. A cooling mud mask like Cucumber Glow can also suit combination skin that wants a cleanse without feeling stripped — many people use both, depending on how their skin feels that week.
Can I use a face mask every day?
It is best not to, especially with clay masks. Once or twice a week is enough for most people; daily use of an absorbent mask can leave skin feeling tight and uncomfortable. Let your skin's response guide the frequency.
Are Glimify face masks vegan and cruelty-free?
Yes — all four Glimify masks (both clay pod masks and both mud masks) are vegan and cruelty-free.
When in my routine should I apply a mask?
After cleansing and before your serum and moisturiser. Cleanse, apply the mask for 10–15 minutes, rinse with warm water, then carry on with the rest of your routine.
What is the difference between the two Glimify clay masks?
Both are single-use kaolin clay pods. The Revitalising Clay Mask is formulated for oily, congested and acne-prone skin, while the Soothing Clay Mask is designed to be gentler and more comforting for sensitive, reactive skin.
Ready to find your match? Browse the full Glimify Face Masks collection — vegan, cruelty-free and designed in the UK.
