A face mask, or facial mask, is an inexpensive cosmetic item that is used to apply directly to the skin in order to soften, sooth, or mask a wide variety of symptoms. Face masks can be used for any skin type and to any degree of facial wrinkling or sagging. Face masks come in many different forms, including ready to use, customized molds, or custom-made fabrics and components.

A common face mask material is a flat cloth face mask. Most face masks are designed to slip on smoothly and move smoothly when used. When more specialized masks aren't available, and if physical distancing isn't possible, flat masking materials such as polyethylene, heavy duty plastic, or vinyl remain as popular options.

Another common face mask material is breathable vinyl, which is sometimes referred to as HIP. Breathable vinyls come in two primary forms, breathable soft feel and HIP breathable, hard feel. Breathable soft feel breathable vinyls have tiny holes that allow moisture to escape while preventing contaminants from penetrating the surface, making them good choices for moist areas like the nose, ears, and mouth. HIP breathable hard feel vinyls, by contrast, have larger holes that trap particles like dust or pollen to keep facial skin smooth and comfortable, while also helping moisture escape and preventing facial skin from drying out.

In addition to face mask materials that provide moisture and breathability, another popular face mask material is Cotton T-Shirt Fabric. Cotton T-Shirt Fabric is similar to stretch taffeta, but it doesn't shrink or "bump." Instead, small gaps between the threads allow air to circulate through the fabric. A smooth, silky feel to the fabric allows garments made with Cotton T-Shirt Fabric to feel great against the skin, but a breathable exterior keeps facial condensation from building up and creating uncomfortable wrinkles. Cotton T-Shirt Fabric is also popular in adult diapers and other products designed to be worn in place of other fabrics.

Yet another popular face mask alternative is Silicone Oxide Facial Pads. Silicone Oxide is an excellent choice for use in respiratory masks because of its high vapor transmission rate and resistance to abrasion. It has an adhesive backing that makes it easy to stick to the faces of patients and workers who are working in high-tempered environments. Silicone Oxide is often used as an alternative to silicon spray because it is easier to remove than silicone spray. Some manufacturers use a combination of silicon spray and silicone oxide for increased resistance to abrasion, but even without the additional silicon spray, Silicone Oxide remains a superior product to its competition.

One of the most common features found in face masks is ear loops. Ear loops allow doctors to access patient's ears while masking their face, thus preventing dust and other debris from entering the ears or mask. Ear loops are generally made of elastic fabric, like those found in a sports bra. The benefit of using ear loops over a band is that ear loops can be taken off and exchanged with the face mask, making it easier to switch masks between patients. This simple switch makes ear loop therapy a favored treatment among many health professionals.