Your skincare routine is not complete without a clay mask, even though it's not something you have to use every day. The best clay masks have the ability to provide deep cleansing, brightening, calming, and improving skin texture all in one go. While traditional DIY clay masks have been mostly targeted towards oily, acne-prone, or combination skin, they were infamous for leaving a dry texture on the face. 

With modern formulations, you can reap all the benefits of high-performing clays like bentonite, fuller's earth, kaolin, and rhassoul, combined with hydrating ingredients to create a comfortable texture. This means it's now a win-win for all skin types, whether you're prone to oiliness or dryness.

Our contributor, Dr. Harikiran Chekuri, Medical Head - ClinicSpots, explains the benefits of clay masks for acne prone skin. He states, “Clay masks have been used as treatments for acne-prone skin over hundreds of years, and they are still a popular choice today. Clay masks contain minerals like zinc and magnesium which can be absorbed by the skin to reduce inflammation, redness, and irritation associated with breakouts. They can also draw out toxins from the skin to help clear congested pores.”

The true magic of a clay mask lies within its formula. Depending on the type you choose, the combination of clays can work wonders in purging impurities from your skin, ridding it of any dirt and excess oil. Others might contain salicylic acid, an ingredient known to combat blackheads. And for those with dry skin, clay masks with glycerin are available to nourish and moisturize. There really is something for everyone when it comes to clay masks, and to make your decision easier, we've compiled a list of the top clay mask products to address every skin type and concern. Read on to know more!

• 1
  Best Overall Clay Mask

  Cetaphil Dermacontrol Purifying Clay Mask

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Specifically crafted to target even the toughest impurities and blackheads, this creamy, non-drying clay mask by Cetaphil uses a unique blend of ingredients to reveal your clearest and most radiant skin yet. Infused with the goodness of white clay and apple fruit extract, this luxurious formula offers gentle yet powerful exfoliation, lifting away dead skin cells and debris while smoothing out your skin's texture and improving its tone. And, thanks to its advanced formulation, it is the ideal clay mask for sensitive skin and even those with oily or blemish-prone skin.

2

Best Vegan Clay Mask

PLANTIFIQUE Superfood Marine Clay Mask

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Made with seven powerful superfoods including avocado, spinach, blueberry, spirulina, tea tree, aloe vera, and calendula, this Korean clay mask offers high-quality, natural plant-based ingredients to help you achieve the perfect skin you deserve. Not only does it help to clear skin breakouts and detox your skin, but it also does so without causing irritation or burns. By using it at least twice a week, this formula can help remove impurities and reduce the appearance of large pores.

3

Best Sulfate-free

Mario Badescu Skin Care Super Collagen Mask

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The best clay mask is the one that removes all the impurities from the skin, draws in moisture, and tightens the skin — and all this is what the Mario Badescu Skin Care Super Collagen Mask does effectively. Infused with the goodness of collagen, red algae extract, and zinc oxide, it brings life back to dull skin by protecting the skin from sun damage, controlling excess oil, and treating dark spots. The potent formula also retains moisture in the skin, thereby preventing dryness and dullness. Plus, it does more than just refresh your skin — with its soothing oatmeal scent, it also makes your cleansing experience calm and pleasant. 

4

Best for Controlling Oil

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Shine Control Face Mask

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With the face mask by La Roche-Posay, you can easily bid adieu to clogged pores and oily skin problems, as this mask effectively cleanses the skin without leaving it dry. It contains kaolin, glycerin, and vitamin B5 that team up together to control sebum production, hydrate the skin, soothe irritated skin, cleanse the skin, and unclog pores. This is an oil-free clay mask that controls shine and makes the skin soft and radiant. With its non-comedogenic formula, it is safe to use for oily & acne-prone skin. 

5

Gleamin Vitamin C Clay Mask

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Say goodbye to uneven and dull skin, and hello to a radiant and smooth complexion with this natural solution by Gleamin. It’s truly one of the best clay masks and an ultimate game-changer when it comes to reducing stubborn dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Its unique blend of anti-inflammatory turmeric and soothing aloe vera combats dark spots, brightens skin tone, and unveils your natural glow (1) (2). Plus, with its convenient ready-to-use formula and free application brush, achieving your desired look has never been easier. Best of all, this vegan and cruelty-free formula is gentle on all skin types, including sensitive and blemish-prone skin.

6

SHVYOG Turmeric Vitamin C Clay Mask

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This incredible clay mask is jam-packed with the amazing benefits of vitamin C and turmeric, delivering an incredible antioxidant effect that will keep your skin looking youthful and radiant. It not only evens out skin tone, but also targets acne, excess oil and eliminates skin discoloration to give you an energized appearance. Designed for all skin types, this product undoubtedly is amongst the clay masks that “actually work,” providing effective oxidation resistance that will keep your skin refreshed and revitalized.

7

Best for Minimizing Pores

innisfree Pore Clearing Clay Mask 2X

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Behold the multi-functional, ultimate catch-all mask that has gained popularity for good reason. This highly adaptable Innisfree clay mask suits all skin types and delivers superior results, thanks to its ingenious formulation of volcanic clusters and alpha-hydroxy acids. In addition to refining the look of pores and absorbing excess sebum, this master mask also gently exfoliates, deeply cleanses, evens out the skin tone, and wipes out stubborn debris, leaving your skin immaculately pure and glowing. If you have an unwelcomed breakout emergency, this game-changer mask is the go-to savior that should be at arm’s reach!

8

Best for Acne-prone Skin

LEROSETT Spot Treatment & Clay Mask

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Experience the ultimate detoxifying solution with this versatile and organic clay formula that delivers exceptional clay mask benefits to your skin. The innovative process behind this formula extracts all impurities and micronizes the clay to deeply penetrate into your pores, resulting in a thinner, faster drying, and stronger absorbing mask that will clear your skin of pimples, blackheads, and clogs. This formula is free from harsh chemicals and you can use it as often as required to optimize your skin's natural repair cycle without risking over-exfoliation.

9

Best for All Skin Types

Proactiv Amazonian Clay Mask

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This Amazonian clay mask has got your back (or your pores, rather) when it comes to purifying your skin, leaving you feeling super clean, nourished and moisturized. Thanks to its signature blend of natural clays, including the powerhouse duo of bentonite and kaolin, dirt, oil and pore clogging impurities are no match for this wonder product. But it doesn’t stop there — this is among the best clay masks that works to slough away dead skin cells, revealing the baby soft skin you never knew you had.

10

Best for Reducing Blackheads

LAVONE Turmeric Vitamin C Clay Mask

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With this powerful clay mask, you'll notice a glowing, anti-aging effect that helps to nourish and hydrate your skin, while also brightening it up and enhancing its natural beauty. And if you struggle with oily skin, the mask can help to control that as well, giving you a fresh and clean feel that lasts all day long. Plus, it is incredibly effective at deep cleaning your pores and getting rid of those pesky blackheads that can make your skin look less than perfect. With its ability to draw out impurities and reduce the appearance of pores, it's the perfect way to help minimize the look of dark spots, acne, and scars.

11

Best for Sensitive Skin

POP MODERN.C Turmeric & Vitamin C Clay Mask

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This is one of the best clay masks for hyperpigmentation with a powerful blend of antioxidants that work together to deliver an all-round brighter, more even complexion. This unique formula targets uneven skin tone, signs of aging, and melanin deposition, while stimulating collagen production to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Infused with potent vitamin C, it deeply penetrates the skin to provide unparalleled hydration, nourishment, and protection against environmental aggressors. Give your skin the ultimate rejuvenation with this vitamin C clay mask.

12

Best for Oily Skin

Youth To The People Superclay Purify + Clear Power Mask

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This purifying clay mask treatment will transform your skin with its powerful blend of salicylic acid, kombucha, and three different types of clay. Volcanic and French green clay come together to draw out impurities that clog pores, while white clay gently exfoliates and absorbs excess oil without drying. The potent mix of BHA, red willow bark, and niacinamide work in harmony to visibly minimize pores, unclog deep-seated impurities, and reveal fresher-looking skin (3) (4).

13

KNOW Beauty Glacial Bay Clay Mask

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Vanessa Hudgens has teamed up with Amazon to launch her solution for acne and oily skin. Drawing from her own struggles with adult acne, she has crafted a four-minute clay mask that deeply cleanses and purifies the skin, leaving a bright and airbrushed appearance. The formula features powerful ingredients like Canadian colloidal clay, lactic acid, and giant sea kelp, perfect for acne and oily skin. With the added advantage of reduced breakouts and oil control, this facial mask can work wonders without dehydrating the skin.

14

Glam Up Calming Matcha Tea tree Clay Mask

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This exquisite blend of four different clays is carefully crafted to draw out impurities and unclog pores while effectively absorbing excess oil. It contains over 22% pure clay, combining the powerful properties of kaolin, bentonite, montmorillonite, and illite for a deep cleanse like no other. But it doesn’t stop there — infused with extra nourishing ingredients like green tea and tea tree, it further clarifies your complexion and calms irritated skin. Designed to combat breakouts and dull skin, this tea tree clay mask will leave your complexion looking soft, smooth, and revitalized.

15

Glorio Detox Clay Masks

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You can combat stubborn pores and blackheads while defending against harmful free radicals and acne with this powerful triple-action cleansing formula. Infused with active ingredients like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and acai berry oil, this product targets impurities deep within the skin for immediate results. It is also fortified with green bentonite clay from Brazil, containing montmorillonite that works great on oily skin types (5). Watch as the mask gently removes impurities, leaving behind smoother, younger-looking skin.

16

Revision Skincare Pore Purifying Clay Mask

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This rejuvenating formula works tirelessly to deeply cleanse your skin by banishing impurities and eliminating excess sebum. Infused with the exceptional properties of Silt extracted from European freshwater lakes, it purifies and soothes your skin, unveiling its natural radiance. Consisting of earth's finest clays, it effortlessly unclogs your pores and reduces excess oil, thereby leaving your skin smooth, supple, and polished. Watch as your pores become less noticeable with each use, and feel the renewed confidence in your clear, glowing skin.

17

Pjordo Rose Clay Facial Mask

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This clay mask made from all-natural ingredients effortlessly revitalizes and replenishes your skin. Combining a variety of beneficial properties such as deep cleansing, nourishment, soothing relief, brightening, oil control, antioxidants, and pore-reducing powers — this mask has it all! With its gentle and non-irritating formula, it caters to all skin types — whether you have dry, normal, oily, combination, or sensitive skin, you can be sure that your complexion will love it!

Now that you’ve browsed through our top-rated picks for the best clay masks out there, keep the following buying guide in mind to make the most of your shopping experience.

Here are a few things to consider while choosing the best clay mask for you:

1. Know Your Skin Type:

Before purchasing any mask, determine your skin type. If you have dry skin, look for a mask with hydrating ingredients such as honey or aloe vera. If you have oily skin, look for a mask with detoxifying ingredients like charcoal or tea tree oil.

2. Look for Key Ingredients:

Look for masks with key ingredients such as kaolin clay, bentonite clay, and charcoal, as these are known to effectively detoxify the skin.

3. Consider the Texture:

Some clay masks have a thicker consistency, while others are more fluid. Choose one that feels comfortable on your skin.

4. Read Reviews:

Don’t be afraid to read reviews and hear what other people have to say about the product. This can help you make an informed decision before purchasing.

5. Check for Additional Benefits:

Many clay masks offer additional benefits such as hydration, brightening, and exfoliation. Look for masks that offer multiple benefits to maximize the results.

6. Avoid Harsh Chemicals:

Be sure to avoid harsh chemicals that can potentially damage your skin. Look for natural and organic options for a gentler experience.

7. Know Your Purpose: 

Different clay masks serve different purposes. If you have acne-prone skin, you might benefit from a clay mask that contains tea tree oil. Our contributor, Dr. Harikiran Chekuri, explains the versatility of clay masks, saying, “Clay masks may also help reduce blackheads by absorbing excess sebum (oil) that builds up in pores, and by helping to exfoliate dead skin cells. If used regularly, clay masks can help to reduce the size of blackheads and breakouts, though they may not completely eliminate them.” For anti-aging purposes, look for a clay mask that contains vitamin C.

By following these tips, you’ll be sure to choose the best clay mask for your skin. Remember to always patch test and use as directed for the best results.