Who doesn’t love a good clay mask? They’re as relaxing as they are functional, especially if your skin is acne-prone and on the oily side. Not only are they great for your skin’s overall health and appearance, but are also amazing for their ability to absorb excess oil and detoxify your pores – all while being gentle.
We’ve seen a lot of clay mask launches in recent years, but which ones can actually do the job? Here are 8 of the best clay masks for oily skin on the market, and why everyone’s raving about ‘em. Come through, clear, glowing skin!
The 8 Best Clay Masks for Oily Skin
Australian Pink Clay Porefining Face Mask | Sand & Sky
First up is our personal favorite – the Australian Pink Clay Porefining Face Mask from none other than us! Suitable for all skin types and fantastic for detoxifying and refining, the Porefining Face Mask is as effective as it is gentle and easy to use. The 4-in-1 treatment is also enriched with powerful Aussie botanicals such as Kelp, Witch Hazel, Kakadu Plum and Pomegranate extract. This award-winning mask tackles pesky breakouts and tightens pores for the selfie-ready result you’re looking for! Want to discover more benefits of our pink clay mask? Find them all here.
Indian Healing Clay Deep Pore Cleansing | Aztec Secret
This clay mask is a favorite among skincare aficionados because it combines two things everyone loves: affordability and effectiveness. The healing treatment features bentonite clay and it can be used in a number of ways (even as a foot soak!) But, as great as this mask is, be careful if you have extra sensitive skin – this mask can leave it feeling a little irritated if you use it with the recommended apple cider vinegar.
Goddess Skin Clay Mask | Charlotte Tilbury
Charlotte Tilbury is a makeup mogul that creates industry-leading products that leave the skin looking beautiful, so it only makes sense that her skincare line does the same. The Goddess Skin Clay Mask uses a combination of Spanish clay and luxurious almond oil to boost the skin’s natural radiance while also absorbing any excess oil, which is perfect for skin prep before applying a full face of gorgeous makeup.
Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque | Kiehl’s
Kiehl’s proves time and again that simple ingredients can be incredibly effective. With nourishing kaolin and bentonite clays to absorb oil, and aloe vera and oat extract to provide moisture, this mask feels amazing on the skin. Word to the wise, however, this product leaves your skin looking very matte once it’s rinsed off. If that’s your cup of tea, this mask is for you.
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Umbrian Clay Purifying Mask | Fresh
Fresh is one of those brands that can do no wrong when it comes to their amazing products, and the Umbrian Clay Purifying Mask is no exception. This mask features nutrient-rich Umbrian clay, sandalwood oil, chamomile flower, and lavender water that work together to remove impurities and calm the skin. This combo is designed to leave skin feeling and looking more balanced and shine-free.
Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores | Origins
Charcoal has been taking the beauty and skincare industries by storm over the last decade for a good reason. It’s one of those products that can be used in a variety of ways to improve your overall health and appearance. In the Clear Improvement mask, the charcoal, along with kaolin and bentonite clays, helps to get rid of environmental toxins, absorb oil, and eliminate dirt that makes the skin look dull.
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Clarifying Clay Masque | Skinceuticals
Containing both bentonite and kaolin clays, this calming and moisturizing clay mask can be used to help control your skin’s oil production while also preventing the skin from drying out during application. Additionally, because it contains glycolic, malic, and lactic acids, it’s lightly exfoliating which will help with cell turnover.
Therapeutic Sulfur Mask | Peter Thomas Roth
Peter Thomas Roth products pack a punch, and the Therapeutic Sulfur Mask is no different and is a great clay mask for acne-prone skin. Sulfur is a natural mineral that helps reduce oil production and decreases acne-causing bacteria in the skin, but it’s not for the faint of heart (or the most sensitive of skin.) If your skin can handle the strength of this mask, you’ll be left with a gorgeous, soft canvas that can take on the day.
How to Apply Clay Masks
So all you need to do is slap it on, wait for it to get to the dry and flaky stage, and rinse it off...right? Well, not exactly. There are phases to a clay mask: wet, damp, and dry. During the wet phase, your skin drinks up the beneficial nutrients that are present in the mask. In the damp phase, the mask is just starting to get dry around the edges but, during this time, it’s also stimulating the face’s blood flow and cell regeneration.
The last phase of a clay mask, however, can potentially do your skin more harm than good. During the dry phase, the mask can actually suck the moisture from your skin, erasing all of the benefits it just imparted, causing dehydration and irritation. So, if you’ve ever felt dry and itchy after removing a clay mask, you may have left it on for too long.
So, how should you actually apply a clay mask? After cleansing your face and opening your pores, apply a generous layer of the mask evenly across your face, avoiding the eyes. Once you notice that the mask is starting to get flaky, but still feels a little wet or sticky, rinse your face and apply your favorite moisturiser. This way, you’ll get all the benefits you’ll need from your clay mask without having to worry about drying your skin too much.
Maximise Your Clay Mask With These Top Tips
The trick to ensuring the performance of your clay mask is to look for the ingredients for your specific skin type and to not overdo it.
Find a clay mask that contains natural ingredients that won’t inhibit hydration or clog your pores. If you’re one of those sensitive skin peeps, find a mask with soothing ingredients like kelp extract or aloe vera. Want a bit of exfoliation? Reach for a mask that has glycolic or lactic acid in it. No matter what you’re looking for, do your research (or read through our comprehensive list above)!
Lastly, don’t overdo it with how much you apply your clay mask. Masks shouldn’t be overused since they can mess up your skin balance, which is obviously something we want to avoid! Apply your mask 2-3 times a week for no more than 10 minutes at a time, and be sure to use a good amount of moisturiser afterward to seal in your new-found hydration. Looking for an effective yet lightweight moisturiser? Try our Tasmanian Spring Water Hydration Boost Cream that is perfect for everyone and all skin types!
