The 12 Best Clay Masks for All Skin Types in 2021

Clay-based masks are a great solution if you’re looking for a product with a natural base. Try these face-savers and discover their beautiful benefits.

Why are clay masks good for your skin?

Clay and charcoal are great for decongesting skin and tackling oil. Clay masks work to detoxify the skin by drawing out impurities which can also minimise the appearance of pores.

When you've applied a clay mask, you'll feel it dry out as it begins to soak up those oils and impurities that may be clogging your pores. This makes them great for those with oily, acne-prone skin.

Clay masks are also great at brightening the appearance of dull skin. Those with dry skin can also use clay masks by looking for formulas with hydrating ingredients such as glycerin.

Along with finding the best clay mask for large pores, you want a mask that can offer other benefits while it does its tough job. Check out these options and score bonus benefits such as increased collagen production, skin calming and more.

Apply Sand&Sky Australian Pink Clay Porefining Face Mask to your skin 2 to 3 times a week—depending on whether you have drier or oilier skin. After 10 minutes, remove with warm water and pat dry. Then continue with your regular skin regimen. The Aloe Vera in this face mask will prime skin for your day by calming the effects of the deep cleanse. Super-easy.

Aspect Exfoliating Clay Mask contains additional ingredients that supercharge these effects. Bentonite absorbs oil, which can lead to congestion, and brings a mattifying effect to the formula. Salicylic Acid and Lactic Acid help decongest clogged pores and remove blackheads for a clearer complexion (feisty teenage skins will love it).

Once your prime concerns have been addressed, Aspect Exfoliating Clay Mask then moves on to protecting your skin and reducing signs of ageing such as pigmentation. Antioxidants such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E have these goals covered, while Niacinamide and Canadian Willowherb Extract hydrate and calm the skin. All this in only 10 to 15 minutes, once a week. Follow with a night cream to lock in moisture.

Just pop Aesop Chamomile Concentrate Anti-Blemish Masque on the area where a pimple is emerging. This astringent mask will draw out inflammation and stop the spread of bacteria.

Chamomile Concentrate, Tea Tree Leaf, and Evening Primrose extracts will also bring down inflammation and return calm to your complexion. Leave on for 10 minutes. If skin is really testing you, subject it to an overnight anti-blemish treatment. The Clay in this mask also draws out impurities, so you're arming your skin against future breakouts too.

Antioxidants, anti-agers, and skin-calming ingredients such as Niacinamide all come to the party to give you an innovative treatment mask with comprehensive benefits. These include stimulating cell turnover (say yes to youthful, new skin!), minimising fine lines and wrinkles, and smoothing out uneven texture with pore-reducing Chilean Wild Mint.

Dermalogica Charcoal Rescue Masque does all of this super-gently and without drying skin, so it's suitable for sensitive complexions. Because this product contains AHAs, do remember to use an SPF daily. Other lovely features are that it's PETA-accredited and cruelty-free.

With the hard work behind it, a medley of Rose Petal powder and other calming ingredients then works to bring down redness. Acai Extract isn't only found in health food stores; in this Clay face mask, its antioxidants work to fight and protect against free radical damage, reducing premature ageing.

The formula is pretty exciting too, as it’s supplied in a shelf-stable powder form. Simply mix your chosen amount with water to transform SALT BY HENDRIX Rose + Acai Face Mask 30g into an active paste before you apply it to your skin.

The paraben-free, Kaolin Clay formula also balances and smooths skin, thanks to two special ingredients. Jojoba Seed Oil mimics the skin's own sebum and helps slow down oil production, while Squalane improves skin elasticity and moisture balance.

Then, Pixi Glow Mud Mask is all about calming and cooling the skin after its mini workout. Aloe Vera eases inflammation rapidly. If you're over having large pores, or acne scars are killing your confidence, add this Clay facial mask to your skin routine a couple times a week. The high mineral content is also beneficial if your skin is prone to acne and eczema.

Adolescent skins tend to be troublesome in a T-zone pattern. If this is your dilemma, you can use this mask only on your problem areas. Patchwork it with Kiehl's Ultra Facial Hydrating Masque on your cheeks where oiliness isn't a concern.

Is sustainability high on the list of products you choose to support? Then Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque 125ml is for you. The Amazonian White Clay is fairly traded and collected from the mouth of the Amazon River in Brazil by local communities.

To get serious about beating blackheads, arm yourself with philosophy purity made simple – exfoliating clay mask and follow these steps. Gently massage the product onto clean, dry skin, focusing on your T-zone and oily areas. Then, leave until the Clay is dry, or about 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water. If you’re after deeper exfoliation, ramp up the intensity of your massage when you apply it, and repeat the massage as you rewet the mask and rinse it away.

This deep cleansing ritual can be performed weekly to address compromised skin or to bring luminosity and radiance back to a dull complexion. Free of alcohol and other nasties like parabens and phthalates, Medik8 Natural Clay Mask 75ml sticks to the safe stuff to help you achieve your skin goals the gentle way.

There's nothing worse than being left with post-mask taut and dry skin. Aloe Vera contains Vitamins A and E to help hydrate, soothe, nourish and purify. This mud mask will leave your complexion comfortable and fresh, thanks to extracts of Arrowroot, Cucumber, Witch Hazel Extract, Lavender, and more.

Apply to clean skin and wait 10 minutes. You'll know when the time is up because Hunter Lab Charcoal Mud Mask 65g changes colour a notch when it's ready. Simply apply your regular facial oil or moisturiser directly afterwards.

In the first stage, enzyme exfoliation occurs thanks to Papaya Fruit Enzymes, which target dead skin cells, making them easy to remove. Then, dead cells are physically exfoliated away thanks to the gentle attributes of Rice Powder and Pumice. PCA Skin Pore Refining Treatment 60g also contains Mandelic Acid for chemical exfoliation. This almond extract helps brighten and tone the skin’s surface. But is this a mask? Absolutely. Kaolin and Bentonite help draw impurities from the skin too.

With 3 types of exfoliation working on your complexion simultaneously, a lot is going on. So, this product isn’t the best choice for sensitive skins. But if you use serums for anti-ageing and other benefits, this treatment readies the surface of your skin so the serums are absorbed effectively.

Large pores are common in oily skins. This mask relies on Niacinamide and comedolytic ingredients to help minimise pore size and refine skin texture. Chamomile, Turmeric, Aloe, and other natural botanical extracts known to bring down inflammation round out this deep cleansing treatment.

Cosmedix Clear Deep Cleansing Mask is designed to be worn as a wear-and-wash treatment both mornings and evenings, but it can be applied and left on pimples too.

Check out our YoutTube video below on how to use multiple masks for treating different concerns...

• Discover great eye masks here - The 9 Best Under Eye Masks

So, let's recap the 12 Best Clay Masks for All Skin Types in 2021

1. Sand&Sky Australian Pink Clay Porefining Face Mask

2. Aspect Exfoliating Clay Mask

3. Aesop Chamomile Concentrate Anti-Blemish Masque

4. Dermalogica Charcoal Rescue Masque

5. SALT BY HENDRIX Rose + Acai Face Mask 30g

6. Pixi Glow Mud Mask

7. Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque 125ml

8. philosophy purity made simple - exfoliating clay mask

9. Medik8 Natural Clay Mask 75ml

10. Hunter Lab Charcoal Mud Mask 65g

11. PCA Skin Pore Refining Treatment 60g

12. Cosmedix Clear Deep Cleansing Mask

Brand and product inclusions are at the sole discretion of Adore Beauty’s highly trained Customer Service team. We do not seek or accept payment from brands or individuals listed in our guides.