What’s the best Peter Thomas Roth face mask for your skin type? The guy’s the king of face masks. He has one for everything:
Acne? Check.
Exfoliation? Check.
Soothing sensitive skin? Check.
Problem is, how do you know which one YOU need? And do they all work or are there some duds in the line (hint: there ARE some duds in the line). Here’s the complete guide to Peter Thomas Roth face masks to help you choose the best one for your skin type and needs:
FAQ ABOUT FACE MASKS
What can face masks do?
It depends on the face mask. Some simply hydrate skin. Others have anti-aging properties that can keep wrinkles at way. Some help you fight acne. Others have soothing properties that calm down redness and irritation.
What can’t clay masks do?
Pretty much all the things that all skincare products can’t do. They can’t firm or detoxify skin.
Who should use a face mask?
Everyone can use a face mask. But depending on your skin type, you’ll benefit from a different type of mask:
- Acne-prone skin: Clay mask
- Aging skin: Hydrating mask with antioxidant
- Dry skin: Hydrating mask
- Oily skin: Clay mask
- Sensitive skin: Soothing and hydrating mask
Who should you NOT use a face mask?
Again, it depends on your skin type.
- Clay masks: If your skin doesn’t produce excess oil, you don’t need them.
- Fragranced masks: If the mask contains fragrance or other irritant and your skin reacts badly to them, you shouldn’t use them. This is especially true for sensitive skin.
How often should you use a face mask?
Two or three nights a week is usually enough to get results.
How do you use a face mask?
Some face masks have their own specific instructions, so make sure to always read those first. As a general use, you should a face mask right after cleansing. Leave them on for 15-20 minutes (again, check the instructions) before washing them off with water. Continue with the rest of your skincare routine as normal.
Peter Thomas Roth 24K Gold Mask ($85.00)
WHAT PETER THOMAS ROTH SAYS
Infused with 24K Gold and Colloidal Gold, this ultimate luxurious anti-aging treatment helps lift and firm the look of skin while imparting an opulent glow.
KEY INGREDIENTS
The key ingredient here is gold, a precious metal that fights inflammation. One study on the effects of gold on rheumatoid arthritis found it can boost collagen production. Problem is, I couldn’t find any proof gold does this in skincare, as well.
The opulent glow? It’s not a result of gold, either. Thank mica for it. This mineral can be ground down to a sparkling powder that makes skin glitter and shine. But hey, at least the inclusion of Sodium Hyaluronate makes this mask hydrating. This humectant attracts and binds to the skin up to 1000 times its weight in water!
PERFORMANCE
I’m sceptical about its firming properties:
- Just because it’s good for rheumatoid arthritis, it doesn’t mean it’s good for skin.
- Once skin has sagged, NOTHING you apply topically can untag it.
- You can prevent sagging by boosting collagen, but there’s no proof gold does that for skin yet.
So what does this mask do? It’s super hydrating thanks to hyaluronic acid, a moisture-booster that attracts and binds to the skin up to 1000 times its weight in water. Mica, a.k.a. “natural glitter,” gives the complexion a beautiful glow, too.
FRAGRANCE-FREE
Yes, this mask is fragrance-free.
SKIN TYPE
It’s best for dehydrated and dull skin.
BEST FOR
I recommend it as an extravagant pampering treat – if you’ve got the money to spare.
Available at: Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic, Peter Thomas Roth, Sephora, and Ulta
Related: Gold In Skincare: Is It Worth Its Weight?
Don’t know which skincare products you can mix and match together and which ones deactivate each other? Download your FREE “How To Layer Actives Like A Pro” cheat sheet to get the most out of your skincare products:
Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor Mud Purifying Black Mask ($60.00)
WHAT PETER THOMAS ROTH SAYS
Purifying, decongesting and hydrating mask with odorless Irish Moor Mud helps draw out dirt, oil and grime as it infuses skin with moisture, vitamins, essential minerals and potent anti-oxidant benefits.
KEY INGREDIENTS
The Irish Mud makes for a cool story, but it’s charcoal powder + kaolin and bentonite clays that do the heavy lifting here and soak up all excess oil from your skin.
BENEFITS
This mask is great at preventing acne. How? It absorbs excess oil from your skin, helping you to keep shine and pimples at bay. If the excess can’t get stuck in your pores, no breakouts can happen. But, it can’t detoxify skin. No skincare product can do that, ever, so don’t believe the hype.
FRAGRANCE-FREE
Yes. Peter Thomas Roth didn’t add any artificial fragrance to it.
SKIN TYPE
Oily and acne-prone skin.
BEST FOR:
Preventing all forms of acne, including blackheads and whiteheads.
Available at: Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic, Peter Thomas Roth, and Sephora
Related: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Bentonite In Skincare
Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask ($60.00)
WHAT PETER THOMAS ROTH SAYS
This powerful, triple-action manual, chemical and enzymatic exfoliating treatment addresses a dull, aging, and congested complexion in three ways: exfoliates with Pumpkin Enzyme, reveals with Alpha Hydroxy Acid and polishes with Aluminum Oxide Crystals.
KEY INGREDIENTS
According to Peter Thomas Roth, this mask includes 3 types of antioxidants:
- Pumpkin enzymes: They gently dissolve the glue that holds skin cells together so they can slough off, but are very fickle to work with. They work, but slowly than Alpha Hydroxy Acids.
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids: Think glycolic acid or lactic acid. They work like pumpkin enzymes, by dissolving the glue that holds skin cells together so they shed and reveal the brighter and smoother skin underneath. A quick look at the ingredient list shows NO Alpha Hydroxy Acids. They’re probably a component of some plant extract, but applying an extract with glycolic acid is NOT as effective as using glycolic acid alone. In fact, it does almost nothing for skin. *sighs*
- Aluminum oxyde crystals: They dislodge dead cells manually, so they exfoliating effects is immediate. But manual exfoliation is easily irritating, too.
BENEFITS
An enzyme + physical exfoliant rolled into one, it removes dead cells to reveal the brighter, softer and smoother skin hiding underneath. But I’m still not a fan. Why?
- As I mentioned above, using Lactic Acid or Glycolic Acid itself is more effective than using extracts with these acids or even enzyme exfoliants.
- Exfoliating acids need to be on the skin for hours to dissolve the glue that holds skin cells together. They don’t work that well in a rinse-off mask.
- Everyone likes physical exfoliants cos they remove dead cells immediately, so you see results immediately. But if their edges are too harsh or you exfoliate a little too long, they can easily irritate skin.
FRAGRANCE-FREE
No. This mask has a fragrance. It smells good, but it can irritate sensitive skin.
SKIN TYPE
Best for dry and resistant skin.
BEST FOR
If you prefer manual exfoliation (and don’t have sensitive skin), this may be worth a try.
Available at: Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, Peter Thomas Roth, Sephora, and Ulta
Related: Chemical VS Physical Exfoliation: What’s The Difference & Which One Is Right For You?
Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Mask ($55.00)
WHAT PETER THOMAS ROTH SAYS
This ultra-gentle gel helps soothe, hydrate and de-tox™ the look of skin with botanical extracts of Cucumber, Papaya, Chamomile, Pineapple, Sugar Maple, Sugarcane, Orange, Lemon, Bilberry and Aloe Vera.
KEY INGREDIENTS
Cucumber, aloe and chamomile have anti-inflammatory properties that soothe redness and irritations.Cucumber and aloe are also made up entirely of watery, which is very hydrating for the skin. They can make it softer and smoother. Chamomile only has soothing properties, but it’s a bit of a mixed bag. It can cause allergies in people who are allergic to plants in the daisy family.
PERFORMANCE
I’m not the biggest fan of this mask, either. It’s very hydrating, so Peter Thomas Roth is right on that – I’ll give him that much. The catch? It has citrusy extracts that can irritate sensitive skin. What’s the point of having soooo many soothing ingredients in a mask if you’re going add irritants to it?
One more thing: this mask can’t detaxify skin. No skincare products can detoxify skin. Your liver and kidneys do that on their own.
FRAGANCE-FREE
Technically, it’s fragrance-free. Peter Thomas Roth hasn’t added an artificial scent for it. Practically, it has a few fragrant citrusy extracts that can irritate it as well! If you know your skin reacts to fragrance or anything citrusy, this isn’t for you.
SKIN TYPE
Dry skin that’s not too sensitive.
BEST FOR
Hydrating dry and dull skin.
Available at: Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic, Peter Thomas Roth and Ulta
Related: 7 Natural Ingredients That Can Irritate Skin
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Mask Hydrating Gel ($55.00)
WHAT PETER THOMAS ROTH SAYS
Drench your skin with a liquid cloud of moisture that feels cool and refreshing like clouds in the atmosphere. Hydrating gel mask moisturizes with a 20% Hyaluronic Acid Complex and helps nourish, soothe and energize the look of skin with Vitamin E, Aloe and Caffeine.
KEY INGREDIENTS
Hyaluronic acid is a moisture magnet that attracts and binds to the skin up to 1000 times its weight in water to deeply hydrate. All that moisture makes skin softer to the touch, plumps it up so fine lines and wrinkles look smaller, and give skin a dewy glow.
PERFORMANCE
This mask is very hydrating and leaves skin softer and brighter. Unfortunately, it contains some natural extracts that can irritate sensitive skin. The bubbling action is supposed to have an oxygenating effect but the jury’s still out there on whether that’s good or bad for skin!
FRAGRANCE-FREE
Technically, it is fragrance-free. But, to make it smell good, Peter Thomas Roth added menthol and eucalyptus extracts that can irritate sensitive skin.
SKIN TYPE
All skin types, bar sensitive.
BEST FOR
Not my fave PTR mask. But if you’re looking for more hydrating and your skin isn’t sensitive, check it out.
Available at: Look Fantastic, Peter Thomas Roth, and Ulta
Related: What Is Hyaluronic Acid And Why Should You Use It?
Peter Thomas Roth Therapeutic Sulfur Mask ($52.00)
WHAT PETER THOMAS ROTH SAYS
Medicated masque with 10% Sulfur, purifying Kaolin and Bentonite Clays dries, clears up and helps prevent acne. Designed to exfoliate the skins surface with natural Sulfur at the maximum OTC level, absorb excess oil and help purify clogged pores.
KEY INGREDIENTS
Sulfur is an acne-fighter on steroids: it kills P Acnes, exfoliates dead skin cells away, regulates oil production and dries out blemishes. Problem is, it dries out skin, too! Kaolin and bentonite clays absorb excess oil to keep shine and pimples at bay.
PERFORMANCE
Sulfur is my favourite acne treatment: it gets rid of pimples faster than anything else I’ve ever tried. Apply it a couple of times a day on active pimples alone and watch them shrink dramatically. This is how this mask helps you treat active pimples.
This mask can also prevent acne. The clays in here absorb excess oil, so it can’t end up in your pores and clog them. No clogged pores = no acne. It’s that simple. The catch? Sulfur can be very drying. I recommend you use it as a spot treatment only.
FRAGRANCE-FREE
No. I get it why this mask contains fragrance. Sulfur smells like rotten eggs. Not the kind of stuff you want to plaster on your face. But, fragrance can also be irritating. If your skin is sensitive, be careful.
SKIN TYPE
Oily and acne-prone skin.
BEST FOR
I recommend you use this as a spot treatment only. Sulfur is too harsh to be used all over your face.
Available at: Peter Thomas Roth, Sephora, and Ulta
Related: Sulfur: Good For Acne, Bad For Skin?
Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Anti-Aging Gel Mask ($110.00)
WHAT PETER THOMAS ROTH SAYS
Anti-aging gel mask isolates and replicates the perfect rose stem cells for advanced anti-aging benefits. Five rose stem cells are blended with four rose extracts in a cooling gel for younger-looking skin.
KEY INGREDIENTS
Stem cells are cells that can turn into any plant of that plant. For example, a rose stem cell (the type used here) can turn into the petals of the rose, or its thorns… you get the point. But it can’t turn into human skin or anything that can regenerate human skin. Does that mean they’re useless? No. Rose stem cells are just glorified antioxidants that help you prevent wrinkles. That’s all.
PERFORMANCE
Like most masks, this is fairly hydrating and has a bunch of antioxidants that help prevent wrinkles. It makes your skin softer and smoother in the short term and helps keep wrinkles away in the long term. But you don’t need to pay this much for that. Just saying…
FRAGRANCE-FREE
Yes, it is fragrance-free.
SKIN TYPE
All skin types can use it, but it’s best for dry and mature skin.
BEST FOR
Light hydrating and wrinkle-prevention.
Available at: Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, and Peter Thomas Roth
Related: Dry VS Dehydrated Skin: What’s The Difference?
The Verdict
There you have it, the best Peter Thomas Roth masks. I’m digging the Sulphur mask for acne, such a game-changer! But most masks here are full of fancy marketing ingredients and fragrance – and not many actives that can actually do what they say on the tin. *sighs*
