When it comes to grooming, nothing feels, looks or works as extravagantly well as a face mask.

Whether sheet, cream, clay or gel, a face mask’s magic lies in the creation of a seal on the skin, which forces ingredients into the complexion in order to make a quick, visible change. We know, added steps to a grooming routine can be daunting. But anything that can turn our faces from dry to dewy in a quick 10 minutes (while you check Twitter, or read the news, perhaps) should be welcomed with open arms.

Not sure about the different breeds, brands and benefits of each? Don’t worry, we’ve laid out a guide to skin-perfecting face masks.

Best for: hydration, firming and lifting

“Sheet masks come in many forms,” says Dr Yannis Alexandrides of 111Skin, whose brand revolutionised the category by taking a once novel product and infusing it with its science-led formulas. You can find high-street-chemist varieties in paper and cotton, but Dr Alexandrides swears by hydrogel or bio-cellulose (originally used to treat burns). “Both of these hold the formula well and are up to 500 times finer than their paper counterparts,” he says.

A bit slimy, bio-cellulose has a “second-skin”-like quality. Think of it as an epidermal blanket that saturates your skin with goodness. If you have a beard or even a five o’clock shadow, shave first to get the most out of your mask.

Best for: purifying, clarifying, mattifying

A saviour for anyone suffering from spots, clay masks (normally of the bentonite or kaolin variety) help to draw out impurities and strip the skin of excess oil. “As these can be quite drying, just apply the product to typically congested areas such as the T-zone,” says Dr Alexandrides.

While clay masks are practical, charcoal masks are powerful. The simple ingredient is famed for its ability to draw out more than 100 times its weight in toxins. If blackheads are your sworn enemy, give charcoal a go. Pro tip: don’t use a clay or charcoal mask in the days directly before a big event as it may draw things to the surface you don’t want photographed.

Best for: smoothing, clarifying, brightening

Acid masks can take credit for some of the best complexions in Hollywood. Their main purpose is to exfoliate, removing any dead skin cells that prevent your mug from glowing.

“Face masks containing acids such as AHAs [alpha hydroxy acids], BHAs [beta hydroxy acids] or enzymes are normally highly active, meant to smooth skin texture, soften the appearance of pores and even deal with stubborn pigmentation,” says Dr Alexandrides. “Leave them on for no more than 10 to 20 minutes, ensuring you wash them off thoroughly to properly neutralise the active ingredients.”

Dr Alexandrides also advises following up an acid mask with a moisturising sheet mask. “That way, all that new skin on the surface is being filled with vitamins, amino acids and hydration, keeping the barrier strong, supple and shining.”

Best for: nourishing, repairing, moisturising

Overnight sleep masks help make us look as if we have had a good eight hours, supporting the skin’s many natural processes at night. “Sleep is the most important process for your skin,” says Dr Alexandrides.

“However, while sleep is great for your skin, it is also when it is most permeable, which results in transdermal water loss.” Sleep masks are formulated with skin-strengthening peptides, amino acids and vitamins, all meant to aid collagen production, maintain water content and improve general health. Bonus points? No time wasted faffing about while you have a mask on. This is the laziest multi-task you’ll ever do.