Where to buy face masks online: UK

Types of mask

Medical-grade face masks (eg, N95, FFP3 or FFP2) should not be worn by members of the public. In fact, unofficial purchasing of these puts undue pressure on healthcare workers who, in some places, are suffering from lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks.

As such, non-medical face masks have become something of a talking point in fashion circles: many fashion brands are making and selling them (although reactions are mixed, especially when they are being offered as a luxury proposition) while a nation of crafters and underemployed machinists are selling their own designs on sites such as Etsy and eBay.

Increasingly, fashion brands are using idle factories and workers to respond to this and are allowing customers to order now for dispatch as soon as stock comes in.

Fabric designs vary from plain to jaunty to 'hypebeast', which might feel trivial, admittedly, but if it increases uptake and helps take the fear out of a practice that varies across the globe from recommended to compulsory, that can only be a good thing.

Masks need to be handled and worn in a particular way in order to provide adequate protection: they should snugly cover your nose and mouth and be handled from the back not the front. Hand-washing remains important, and hands should be washed with soap and water or cleaned with hand sanitising gel before and after putting on and removing the mask (from the back.)

Look for masks composed of natural fabrics such as cotton and linen which are preferable to polyester as the latter will cause you to sweat more and make wearing the mask less comfortable thus increasing the risk that you will fiddle with it, or even remove it early both of which behaviours carry risks.

Reusable masks are designed to be washed before being reworn. Each brand recommends different processes and temperatures for this so ensure that you take note in order to best care for your purchase.

When it comes to children wearing face masks, follow expert guidance on how to approach the conversation with your child and helpful ways to encourage safe wear, plus fun designs that can help take away the fear of such an alien accessory.

Photo: Shopyte

Whistles non-medical reusable face mask, £16

Created in collaboration with Neo-Concept, Whistles has designed a face mask that can safely be hand-washed and reused up to 50 times.

The denim-look masks are soft and breathable, with anti-bacterial properties woven into the fabric. Profits will be donated to the Trussell Trust, supporting food banks nationwide.

Whistles non-medical reusable face mask, £16 – buy here

LoveShackFancy floral-print face covering, £20

Perhaps the prettiest face covering yet, the delicate floral print, bow detail and ribbon ties on this simple pleated mask make it a bona fide fashion accessory from an 'it' label.

LoveShackFancy floral print face covering, £20 – buy here

Hush printed face mask, £10

A reusable cotton mask with a simple scattered star print that can be washed at up to 40°. An inner pouch allows you to add a filter if desired.

Hush will donate £5 from the sale of each mask to the NHS Charities Together, a charity supporting NHS staff, volunteers and patients affected by Covid-19 right across the UK.

Hush printed face mask, £10 – buy here

Maje leopard-print cotton-blend face covering, £19

Unleash your wild side with this cotton-blend mask with adjustable nose wire and elastic straps for a comfortable and safe fit. The mask can be machine-washed.

Maje leopard print cotton-blend face covering, £19 – buy here

Rixo Hope floral print recycled silk-blend face covering, £26

If you've already struggled with a 'maskne' break-out you may find a silk mask is a better option. This mask made from recycled silk-blend (70% silk, 30% cotton) is an eye-catching and on-trend option that comes in an array of prints. It can be machine-washed on a gentle cycle.

Rixo Hope floral-print recycled silk-blend face covering, £26 – buy here

är face masks, €29.90

Prague-based company Game Changer states the ViralOff® self-cleaning function of its masks will reduce 99% of viruses on the surface within two hours. The replaceable nanofilter also blocks up to 99.8% of pollution (smog, bacteria, pollen and other allergens and contaminants.) An exhalation valve has been added to the design so that air you breathe out passes through the nanofilter.

An adjustable nose piece, foam padding and adjustable buckles on the straps aid a secure and comfortable fit. Lightweight, breathable and comfortable, this mask is designed for everyday use, and made in the EU.

är face masks, €29.90 – buy here

Scotch & Soda reusable men's face mask, £9.95

Washable and reusable, this large face mask is designed for men and is constructed from double-layered cotton with elasticated ear straps and a metal nose wire for secure and comfortable fit. There is a pocket that enables you to use an extra filter. (Filters need to be replaced after each use; extra filters can be purchased here.) The mask comes in a matching washable storage bag. The brand also sells masks in a smaller size for women.

Scotch & Soda will donate 20% of sales (gross) from every mask to The Hunger Project, a global, non-profit, strategic organisation committed to the sustainable end of world hunger.

Scotch & Soda reusable face mask, £9.95 – buy here

Sanctuary organic cotton reusable face mask, £8

Made from soft organic cotton with elastic ear loops and an adjustable metal nose bridge, this mask can be laundered on a cool machine wash and tumble-dried on low. Profits will be donated to NHS Charities Together. It's also available in a multipack of three assorted prints for £18.

Sanctuary organic cotton reusable face mask, £8 – buy here

Not Just Clothing face mask, £14.99

These zero-waste, reusable masks are made from DIOLEN® hygienic material, which breathes 'like a trainer' and fits comfortably by moulding to the face. Available in a range of colours, the masks are made in the UK. Not Just Clothing (a social enterprise responsible for some of the best NHS-supporting slogan T-shirts) uses green shipping and will donate 50% of profits from every sale to the Masks for NHS Heroes campaign.

Not Just Clothing face mask, £14.99 – buy here

The Cool Face Mask pack of two, £22

A London-based start-up, The Cool Face Mask is on a mission 'to let users express something cool about themselves' with cloth masks in bright patterns and prints. The masks are made in Italy from an antimicrobial nylon fibre called Q-SKIN which has silver ions that allow the regulation of bacterial proliferation. The material is breathable and odour blocking and masks can be washed up to 30 times at 40°.

The Cool Face Mask pack of two, £22 – buy here

The Mask Collective UK face masks, from £10

These reusable face masks are handmade, packed and dispatched in the UK. There are three types of mask currently available, all are double-layered, reusable and washable at 90°.

The MaskEssentials (£10 per mask, £18 for two) range includes double-layered cotton masks with adjustable elastic ear bands and an inside pocket for replaceable filters in a range of colours.

The Luxe range of velvet masks (from £14 per mask) combine a double-layered cotton jersey inner and a velvet outer layer with elasticated ear straps.

The site is also stocking masks designed by John Herrera (£18 per mask), this range is made from top-stitched neoprene with a cotton jersey inner and elasticated ear straps.

Culture Whisper readers can benefit from 10% off orders plus free UK standard delivery with the promo code CULTUREWHISPER.

The Mask Collective UK face masks, from £10 – buy here

Great British Designer face coverings, £15 for three

From converting factories to produce PPE to raising funds for NHS charities, the way the British fashion industry has responded to the pandemic is a source of pride. Taking the social responsibility further is Great British Designer Face Coverings: Reusable, for People and Planet, a joint campaign from Bags of Ethics and the British Fashion Council.

The sustainable, washable non-medical face coverings have been designed in London by six British designers for use alongside existing social distancing measures. Sold as a pack of three, each includes either designs by Julien Macdonald, RIXO and Liam Hodges or Halpern, Mulberry and RAEBURN.

Stockists include Asos, Boots, John Lewis and Sainsbury's and the British Fashion Council website, stock does move fast but Asos and Sainsbury's had stock of masks at time of publishing.

All of the sales profits will be donated to charity, with the aim of raising £1 million which will be shared equally between the NHS Charities Together Covid-19 Urgent Appeal, the BFC Foundation Fashion Fund and the Wings of Hope Children’s Charity.

Great British Designer face coverings, £15 for three – buy here

Lovers & Friends protective face masks three-pack, £45

In practical terms it makes sense to have more than one face mask as they need to be washed and dried properly between each use. Who says they all need to look the same? This bundle of three masks incorporates bright, stylish prints that might just make wearing a mask feel like a choice rather than a chore.

The masks are made from a double-layered woven fabric with semi-stretch ear loops.

Lovers & Friends protective face masks three-pack, £45 – buy here

Baserange barrier mask, £17.53

Made in France from 70% Pima cotton and 30% Seacell, this washable, reusable face mask has been certified to filter 99.7% of the tested aerosols, and has been given a certification 'Directorate of General Armaments', the French military supplies standard. It can be washed at 60° and tumble dried.

Baserange barrier mask, £17.53 – buy here

Lovers & Friends protective face mask, £14

Made in the USA from double-layered jersey, this face mask has semi-stretchy ear loops and an interior pocket so that the wearer can add their own filter.

Lovers & Friends protective face mask, £14 – buy here

Hype adult mask, prices vary

A good fit and room to breathe are important factors to keeping mask use safe, especially in hot weather when it's particularly tempting to adjust a steamy, sweaty mask. The knitted designs from Hype therefore appeal, as does the selection of bright colours.

Hype adult face mask – buy here

Reformation pack of five masks, £28

As with everything LA cool-brand Reformation does, there's sustainability and ethical manufacture at the heart of these non-medical face masks. Crafted in the brand's LA factory, often from overstock fabrics, these simple masks come with tie straps so they can be easily adjusted to fit most adults. Sold in packs of five, the masks may come in a range of colours and prints but as these are made from fabric on hand it is not possible to select specific colours or patterns.

CW review: 'They arrived within three days and are fabulous. Really comfy to wear, nice fabric and very impressed with speedy delivery.'

Reformation pack of five masks, £28 – buy here

Vistaprint washable mask, from £13

The photo-print specialist, Vistaprint, has launched a range of washable, reusable masks for adults (£17) and children (£13). The mask's replaceable filter system offers filtration without trapping moisture (as well as being unpleasant, moisture renders masks less effective.) Designed to be washed and reworn, the masks have a 3D chin structure, nose bridge and adjustable straps to ensure a good fit on any face. The replaceable filters can be used for up to 12 hours before being disposed, extra filters can be purchased from Vistaprint with 10 filters costing £6.

Masks are available in a range of colours and prints, and 10% of proceeds will support local communities affected by the pandemic.

Vistaprint washable face mask, from £13 – buy here

Elle five-pack of protective face masks, £14.99

British hosiery brand Elle has converted its factory, which usually makes more than 12 million pairs of tights a year, to the manufacture of face masks. Working with its sister business Atom Compression Wear, Elle states that it can produce 350,000 masks per week.

The Elle mask is a plain white unisex design available in adult/teenage or child (three-10 years) sizes. Made from a double-layered material that has antimicrobial properties, it can be washed up to 25 times. There are side openings to the mask for users to add additional filters too. The company prioritises socially responsible working conditions, transparent production and environmentally friendly factory facilities.

In addition, Elle’s ‘factory to face’ traceability through its Made in Green accreditation means that all masks are tested for harmful substances.

Elle five-pack of protective face masks, £14.99 – buy here

Etsy face masks, prices vary

While many of us have uncovered a latent creative side during lockdown, crafting a home-made face mask might still be a step too far. Luckily there is a legion of willing crafters who are selling their wares on Etsy, with masks providing a major source of income for many during the global pandemic.

The platform is very strict about the way that these masks can be marketed, and sellers are not allowed to make any medical, health or protection claims.

Stock levels change rapidly on Etsy so you won't necessarily find items from a specific seller, but sellers with recent positive feedback include MadeByTheSeaCornwall, ArsenicandOldLaceUK, RobinsBobbinsGifts and FrancescaWhyteUK.

Etsy masks, prices vary – buy here

Plümo organic linen face mask, £10

Available in a wide variety of rich block colours, the Plümo face mask is hand-made from four layers of organic linen with elasticated ear loops. The reusable mask can be washed at up to 90°C.

For every mask sold, Plümo will donate £2 to Masks for NHS Heroes, a crowdfunder for PPE for the NHS.

Plümo organic linen face mask – buy here

Baukjen pack of five adult and child non-medical face masks, £25

Sustainably focussed brand Baukjen has partnered with one of its manufacturers in Portugal to make non-medical masks for personal use from leftover fabrics and offcuts. They are made from 100% cotton which has been treated with an anti-bacterial coating.

The machine-washable masks are secured with elastic fastenings and come in a pack of five (four adult-size masks, one child-size mask, to fit up to 12 years of age) in varied colours and prints.

In an initiative to protect more people, for every pack purchased Baukjen will send you an additional pack to give to neighbours. Bundles of 100 masks (80 adult, 20 child) are available and if you buy one, a further 100 masks will be donated to the NHS Volunteer Army. You can also pay to donate a bundle of 100 directly on the brand's website (which will also mean another 100 are also distributed).

Baukjen pack of five face masks, £25 – buy here