A good face mask definitely deserves a place in your beauty product line-up, delivering active ingredients in a concentrated form. Use clay masks for exfoliating and absorbing oil, best for normal to combination to blemish skin; while creamy masks will suit dry or sensitive skins. Bear in mind that your skin's needs change day to day, season to season and year to year and choose accordingly.

For decongesting and brightening normal to combination or blemish-prone skin this is a great buy. The mask heats up on contact with water, which feels relaxing and also helps to draw out impurities. Micro-fine pumice gently exfoliates. It leaves your skin clean and clear without feeling tight.
£11, Boots

For instant brightness and radiance, this mask takes some beating. The Wild Rose oil it contains is a natural source of vitamin C, which, combined with an active complex, targets skin discolouration, fine lines and blemishes. Use it once or twice a week for 15 minutes.
£16, Korres

Have a regular detox on hand when you need it with this bargain face mask from Simple. The natural clay and seaweed extract removes built up dirt and makeup leaving the skin brighter and refreshed.
£3, available nationwide.

Highly effective clarifying mask made with Kaolin clay, fresh water mud and a selection of potent essential oils, including tea tree, ginger and lavender. Best for normal to combination skin, skin that has blocked pores and blemishes or skin that is generally dull.
£32.50, www.lookfantastic.com

Using phytotherapy and aromatherapy, this relaxing, moisturising mask is the perfect antidote to tired, dull winter skin. Baobab, water flowers, liquorice and Toothache Tree (which fights overheating) are some of the do-you-good botanical extracts included. As an alternative to washing it off, you can massage the mask in until it's absorbed – and you can also use it around the eyes.
£18.50, Nuxe

Used as a weekly treatment, this enhances your regular cleansing and exfoliating routine, but you can also use it as an emergency mask. It's great for minimizing irritated, sensitive skin conditions and calming redness and blotchiness.
£30, www.spacenk.com

A high tech mask with a complex that provides phenomenal hydration and a lifting effect you can see and feel. It also works to counteract the depletion of anti-oxidants, critical to the skin's natural protective mechanisms. The subtle scent (citrus, blossoms, sandalwood) makes it pleasurable to use too.
£31 , Estee Lauder

Packed with anti-ageing Immortelle essential oil (which protects from free radicals and stimulates the microcirculation and the cells' vital functions), this luxurious mask also contains intensively nourishing shea butter. It's perfect for a midwinter skin pick-me-up and especially suits normal to dry skin.
£39, L'Occitane

Good for all skin types that need a thorough deep cleanse, this contains French clay to draw out impurities, mop up excess oil and remove dead skin cells, plus Spirulina, a tropical seaweed rich in essential fatty acids to boost cell renewal. Afterwards, skin looks smoother and fresher.
£18, Ren