Best reusable face masks and coverings available online UK for 2022

Stay safe, look good with non-medical face coverings: Abha Shah unveils the Covid-battling masks you can shop online

The Evening Standard's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Silk masks available from Pearl Lowe
Abha Shah @brimfulofashah29 November 2021

Wearing a mask on public transport has been a national requirement since summer 2020, and you still must cover your mouth and nose while travelling on TFL.

But if you’ve taken the tube or hopped on a bus recently, you’ll have noticed more and more people going without. Some may have a condition that makes them exempt from the rule, but it seems for many, the waning fear of Covid - boosted by vaccines - has led to masks being cast aside.

Then there are folks who simply forget to tuck one in their pocket before heading out and others who simply don’t have enough coverings to see them through the week.

But let’s face it, masks are now part of our daily experience: as essential to have on your person as your house keys and phone.

While the majority of us have one or two reusable face masks, building up a collection is crucial to ensure you have a clean one on you at all times - they should be washed after every use.

Those who refuse to wear a mask could face fines starting at £200 and ending with a maximum of £6,400 for repeat offenders.

What's the difference between medical masks and face coverings?

Medical staff and frontline workers need single-use clinical medical grade face masks (or PPE) to stay safe.

These masks, plastic gloves and disposable PPE are creating a mountain of waste and most of us don’t need them for daily wear to stay safe.

Instead, look to reusable cloth masks and coverings. They offer a better - and far more comfortable - option for daily wear. Plus, they come in a range of styles to suit whatever mood or look you’re in. Many feature an insert pocket for removable filters so you `keep your mask working effectively in trapping allergens.

Can I wear a face visor instead of a mask?

Full face visors are ineffective because they don’t seal securely around your mouth and nose. If you choose to wear one, you may still need to wear a facial mask to ensure you’re properly protected and meeting official guidelines.

Buying reusable cloth masks for personal use means supplies of clinical PPE are there for the frontline workers who need them the most.

What’s the point of wearing a face mask?

Wearing a secure covering over your mouth and nose helps catch the microscopic water droplets that spray out when you speak or sneeze, generally unseen by the naked eye. A covering massively curbs the chances of others catching coronavirus - remember even if you don’t show symptoms, you could still be a spreader of the virus.

Continue to wash hands thoroughly and use hand sanitiser; wearing a mask is an additional measure every one of us can take to help slow the spread of this new Covid mutation.

How to properly wear a facial covering or mask

A few do’s and don’t’s from Gov.UK to wearing a mask as safely as possible.

  • Do make sure your mask or covering is enclosing your mouth and nose while still allowing you to breathe comfortably.
  • Do wash your hands thoroughly or use hand sanitiser before putting it on and after taking it off.
  • Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth when you’re wearing one - tuck away loose ends and hair so you’re not tempted to brush it away.
  • Do keep your mask safely stored in a plastic bag until you have a chance to wash them.
  • Don’t touch the front of the face covering, or the part of the face covering that has been in contact with your mouth and nose. Once removed, do make sure you clean any surfaces the face covering has touched, such as the lower half of your face.
  • Do wash your mask regularly - most can go in with your normal load, using your regular detergent or washing machine gels. ​

Safe and stylish options

There are plenty of how-to guides on D.I.Y-ing a mask yourself, but if you don’t have the time or the sewing skills, there are plenty of entrepreneurs and retailers with stylish mask collections designed to keep you safe.

Facial masks and coverings are for safety first, but that doesn’t mean you can’t express yourself with them too, just like any other accessory.

We’ve found chic prints, statement designs and luxe styles to keep you protected and help you save face. 

See our selection below

Liberty Assorted Upcycled Tana Lawn™ Cotton Face Coverings Set of Five

Get give of Liberty’s coveted patterns in this pleated face mask set. They’re made from breathable cotton and are water repellent too.

Liberty

Eugenia Kim Pleated satin Face Covering

Arty types will appreciate the Mark Rothko vibes this rather chic face covering is giving.

Eugenia Kim

Emily Carter Leopard and butterfly-print silk face covering

Monochrome never falls out of fashion. The black and white palette, paired with a fetching leopard and butterfly print, means you’ll be showing off this mask at every opportunity.

Emily Carter

Pearl Lowe - Reusable Print Silk Masks

From designer Pearl Lowe, these stunning masks add a touch of style to any outfit. They’re made from off-cuts from her studio; think vintage floral prints on soft silk, all around the £30 mark. We like the look of the Coco Mask, made with Liberty Print fabric.

Pearl Lowe

Lezat Arancione Silk Face Mask

Bring a spot of sunshine to your winter wardrobe with a brightly coloured face mask. This one is made from silk, a fabric with naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, making it ideal for wearing for longer periods and minimising the chances of maskne.

Lezat

Tory Burch Printed Face Mask, set of 5

Fashion-forward prints are the order of the day over at Tory Burch where you can get this five-pack of beautifully printed face masks for just £30. Not bad for a designer label.

Tory Burch

Anaia Cotton Face Masks

There’s no excuse to be without a face mask thanks to this multipack deal available at Amazon. There’s one for every day of the week - and then some. Made in a triple layer of cotton, there are ten face coverings in various patterns to keep close to hand.

Anaia

Popsockets Face Mask

The makers of mobile phone knobs/ stands have joined the fight against coronavirus by offering a medley of masks that match their hero eponymous products. The selection is small - black, multi-coloured nebula, blue tie-dye and floral - but may expand in the future. You can also pick up removable filters on the site too.

Not Another Bill Face Coverings

Created with soft, breathable linen or silk, Not Another Bill’s face coverings make the perfect gift to a loved one - not least because they can be customised with their initials. Each one is handmade in the UK and there are toddler versions to protect small faces too.

Migrate Art - Masks for Meals

Migrate Art has teamed up with a group of 10 artists to launch a collection of limited edition re-usable, reversible face masks, with profits going towards helping displaced and homeless people in the UK. You can buy single masks, and also sets of five (£79.99) to cover everyone in your household or simply keep as spares. Singles from £19.99.

David Watson Face Mask

These made-to-order masks use iconic prints from the likes of William Morris to give the world’s top personal hygiene product a unique aesthetic. The arty masks, made from breathable, quilted fabric, come with elastic ear loops and are available in child and adult sizes to get as perfect a fit as possible. Best of all, 10 per cent goes to the NHS Charities Together.

It's important to note that orders at David Watson are only made per order, so delivery can take up to two weeks. Machine washable.

Nudea Face Mask

While Nudea traditionally specialise in lingerie, the brand is now offering a new range of face masks that will become your everyday essential. Putting comfort at the forefront, they are water resistant, washable and have a secure fit. There are two colours; forest green and pink that will act as a barrier. The face coverings come alongside a zip-up reusable travel pouch to keep it safe and on hand.

Vintage Daisy Chain Fabric Washable Reusable Face Mask

With a pocket for filters and bendy wire over the bridge of the nose so you can adjust it to your features, this mask from Nervous Stitch has all boxes ticked. 

The breathable cotton fabric ensures you won’t overheat or steam up, and the pattern nods towards a vintage aesthetic - the fabric used is John Lewis’s Daisy Chain print.

Lavender Hill Clothing cotton face masks

A British brand focused on sustainability, this company is offering soft cotton masks in packs of three using printed fabric. They’re made with three pleated layers for ultimate protection, and best of all, for every pack purchased, the company will donate the same to a charity supporting vulnerable people in Battersea. 

Plumo Protective Masks

Shop masks for men, women and children at Plumo. The company hand makes the mask from four layers of organic linen for ultimate breathability, while the elastic ear loops ensure you get a secure fit. Like many other vendors, Plumo is helping the coronavirus fight by donating to the 'Masks 4 Heroes' crowdfunding campaign, which aims to providing PPE to NHS frontline staff.

Savile Row Company's Face Masks

Made from the same 100 per cent cotton used in all the Savile Row Co's luxury men's shirts, these shaped face masks are flat pleated to allow them to sit closer to the face. They come with a filter pocket so you can replace filters when required. The reusable masks are washing machine safe and as a further step to protect the environment, are delivered in biodegradable bags too.

Now two for £6.

Isabel Manns Mandevilla Vine Cotton Mask

With all profits going to Maggie’s Charity, the chic designs on offer at Isabel Manns not only help you stay safe and look good, but do good too. There’s a gap in the lining so you can place a filter inside if you like. There are six designs available on the site to choose from; we’re drawn to the cheerful Mandevilla design.

Isabel Manns

Slip Face Mask

You may already know Slip for its luxurious silk pillowcases and masks but now the brand has unveiled a range of masks in the same sumptuously soft fabrics. The luxe face coverings come with adjustable ear straps, a nose wire, and a cotton interior lining. Choose from three stylish designs, including leopard, pink and black.

Gingerlily Silk Face Mask - charcoal

Face masks can sit against your skin for hours at a time, so why not make it a luxury fabric? Renowned for silk bedding and sleep accessories, Gingerlily has moved into face masks made from a triple layer of pure Mulberry silk.

Rather than sitting flat against your nose and mouth, the masks have been crafted to sit slightly away from your features while still providing a secure seal around the face. Filled with 100 per cent Habotai raw silk, hand wash only.

Prezzybox Face Mask - Nature Prints

A pretty mask that acts as a barrier against coronavirus droplets, Prezzybox has a wide selection of facial shields online at the moment - including this one that you can personalise with a photo.

Arriving at your door in up to five working days, each one features a design that’s made to fit over your nose, mouth and chin with the help of elastic ear loops..

Together Band Masks

Sustainable accessories label Bottletop - best known for its luxury bags handcrafted with upcycled bottle tops - has launched a range of masks. The face coverings are composed of a double layer of organic cotton (that produces less CO2 and water than traditional cotton). The masks are machine washable, offered in black and neutral and come with the option of filters for added breathability. All the packaging is entirely recyclable. To go alongside this, the brand has donated 30,000 medical-grade face shields to Médicins Sans Frontières to bring PPE to the front line.

Tottenham Hotspur Spurs Face Coverings

Arsenal fans look away now. The North London-based football club is offering face coverings with four different designs as well as multi-pack sets, and they’re 50 per cent off right now. They come in the Spurs signature navy hue and feature the brand’s famous cockerel logo. They are fitted with adjustable straps, a nose wire and a soft fabric.

Just Hype Adult Grey Knit Face Masks​

There's a great mix of masks on offer at Hype, from block colours to neon knits for men, women and kids. Prices start at just under a tenner for a black design with the distinctive 'hype.' script on the front. 

Despite the Hannibal-esque aesthetic, we're into this grey knit and mesh design, which will cover your nose, mouth and chin without leaving you feeling smothered.

Paisie adjustable non-surgical face mask in navy

Paisie is selling the masks with free delivery at cost price - and are made using surplus cotton from the company’s studio.

They stress: “Whilst these masks are not a substitute for medical-grade ones, when used properly and with a filter they will help to contribute to less particle transmission.” There’s space in the double layer mask to fit in your own filter.