The 13 Best Clay Masks of 2024, Tested & Reviewed

Best Overall

Cetaphil Pro DermaControl Purifying Clay Mask

View on Amazon $42 at Walmart $21 at IHerb

Very few masks can target a wide range of skincare concerns as effectively as this one from Cetaphil. The mask contains bentonite clay, which is a potent detoxification agent, making it ideal for people looking to combat excess oil and acne. Whether you use your fingers or a brush to apply, we love that it’s super creamy and goes on evenly (aka doesn’t clump or get patchy).

According to our tester, it feels like a “luxurious cream” that slowly dries down and feels slightly tingly. This didn’t really bother the tester; in fact, she said it was her favorite part about the mask. When she washed it off, she was in complete awe at the state of her skin, going as far as saying that the texture looked as smooth as “a baby’s bottom.” Plus, the pores on her nose—one of her biggest problem areas—looked like they shrunk in a matter of minutes, prompting her to call this mask a “masterpiece.”

You may experience some purging, or the skin’s response to an active ingredient that increases cell turnover, in the form of increased breakouts. But don’t worry—this is totally normal and a sign that the mask is actually hard at work getting rid of the gunk in your pores.

Ingredients: Bentonite clay, Kaolin clay, Cucumber seed extract | Size: 0.3 oz.

Best Overall, Runner Up

OLEHENRIKSEN Cold Plunge Pore Mask

$41 at Sephora $28 at Walmart View on Opensky.com

Inspired by the “cold plunge” part of a Scandinavian sauna cycle, the cooling mask deeply purifies the skin and shrinks the look of pores with the help of a powerful blend of antioxidants, active botanicals, alpha and beta hydroxy acids, and bentonite clay. As the name suggests, it’s refreshingly cool upon application (thanks to eucalyptus, kelp, and Irish moss extracts) and, according to our tester, even smells like a spa. She described the cooling sensation to be “minty” and “tingly,” but her sensitive skin never felt irritated or uncomfortable. The longer she kept the mask on, the tighter and drier it felt, but she was able to talk, laugh and move her face. When she washed it off, she shared that her enlarged pores were less noticeable, and the tone of her skin appeared more even. For at least an hour after washing the mask off, she still felt refreshed, tingly, and cool.

It’s worth noting that although the mask targets pores, avocado oil (an ingredient present in the formula) can be potentially comedogenic for some skin types. We recommend testing the mask on a small patch of skin to see how it will react before applying it to your entire face.

Ingredients: Bentonite clay, Salicylic acid, Avocado oil, Peppermint oil  | Size: 0.3 oz.

Best Budget

L'Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Face Mask

$14 at Walgreens $13 at Ecosmetics.com

Get the most bang for your buck and check out this clay face mask from L’Oréal Paris. Packed with three types of clay (including kaolin, montmorillonite, and ghassoul) and charcoal, an ingredient that doubles down on excess sebum, this hard-working mask is a nice treatment for oily, congested skin. According to our tester, the mask dries down quickly—almost upon contact with the skin—but doesn’t feel tight or restrictive. She was pleasantly surprised by how easy and mess-free the removal process was, despite the mask being jet-black in color. Her skin was “balanced” and “clean” after the mask, which is all you can ask for. Plus it's a drugstore face mask that's easy to find.

Charcoal and clay have similar benefits (like exfoliation and oil absorption), but when combined together, they can really pack a punch. While this can be great for some skin types that need a little extra help, those with sensitive or highly reactive skin might want to use this mask sparingly or find something more gentle.

Ingredients: Moroccan lava clay, Charcoal powder  | Size: 1.7 oz.

Best Splurge

Tatcha The Clarifying Clay Mask

$70 at Amazon $70 at Sephora $70 at Kohls.com

If you’re going to spend extra money on a face mask, it better be good. Tatcha’s The Clarifying Clay Mask isn’t just good (it’s great), and there isn’t anything else on the market quite like it. It goes on gray, but once applied to the skin, it turns pinkish red. Though we aren’t sure of the exact reason why the mask changes color, we believe it has something to do with the Japanese volcanic ash and konjac root infused into the formula.

The texture—which our tester described as “luxurious” and “goopy in a good way”—actually has some grit to it, making it an ideal exfoliator. It doesn’t need a long time to work its glow-enhancing magic; in fact, you can feel free to wash it off after five minutes. Post-wash, our tester was pleased with how refreshed, even, and soft her skin was. Though the mask is worth the splurge, we wish it came in a bigger size to get more out of one tub.

Ingredients: Kaolin clay, Okinawa kucha clay, Japanese konjac, Japanese volcanic ash | Size: 1.7 oz.

Best Brightening

54 Thrones Kahina Lava Cleansing Mask

$46 at Nordstrom View on 54thrones.com

Meet the Kahina Lava Cleansing Mask from 54 Thrones—it’s really special. Between the ingredients you can actually pronounce, its affordable price point, and a super-luxe glossy black packaging, it’s no wonder our tester was hooked. Part of what makes the mask so unique—besides ingredients like rhassoul clay powder extracted from deposits found in the Moroccan Atlas mountains, coconut charcoal, marshmallow root, and cacao— is that it comes in powder form. At first, this threw our tester for a loop. But once she mixed the mask up for herself, she totally understood the hype. She admitted that the mixing process can get a little messy, but it’s super easy—all you have to do is mix a tablespoon of the mask with water.

Upon application, the mask felt comfortable. As it dried, our tester noted that it got tighter and tighter, but never to the point where she felt like she couldn’t move. Once dried (around the 10-minute mark), it washed off easily and left her skin looking “brighter and cleaner than before application.”

Ingredients: Rhassoul clay, Coconut powder, Charcoal, Rose petal, Vanilla | Size: 3.3 oz.

Best Exfoliating

Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask

$20 at Sephora $35 at Ulta $35 at Target

“Kaolin and bentonite clays absorb excess oil and reduce impurities,” explains Dr. Graf, which is why we love this mask from Origins that contains both. To simultaneously exfoliate, smooth, and decongest, you won’t regret giving this one a try. This pretty pink mask is formulated with clay (obviously), exfoliating jojoba beads, and soothing willowherb. The gritty little beads gently exfoliate the surface of the skin, while the willowherb and two types of clay work to restore and clarify. Our tester, who regularly uses a mask in her skincare routine, was surprised by how refreshing this mask felt, calling it a “deep cleanse.” After use, her skin felt clean and smooth. It’s also worth noting that the mask comes in a hygienic squeeze tube that deposits the mask into your hands, preventing contamination from grubby fingers.

Because it has such drying ingredients and abrasive little beads, less is more. Try not to rub too hard, and be sure to wash it off once it’s dried onto your skin. To keep your skin from looking extra dry after using, we recommend following up with a moisturizer.

Ingredients: Kaolin clay, Bentonite clay, Grapefruit peel oil, Sugar cane, Willowherb, Exfoliating jojoba beads | Size: 2.5 oz.

Best Detoxifying

Fenty Skin Cookies N Clean Whipped Clay Pore Detox Face Mask

$37 at Sephora $45 at Walmart View on Fentybeauty.com

At first glance, this mask from Rihanna’s eponymous beauty brand Fenty looks abrasive and tough. But, to our tester’s surprise, it’s actually the complete opposite. In fact, it’s thick, jelly-like, and contains little black beads that break on contact with the skin (instead of scratching it). The mask contains a lovely blend of clays (kaolin and bentonite), charcoal powder, salicylic acid, and ginger root, making it an ideal treatment for those dealing with inflammation. As it dries, it tightens on the skin but doesn’t feel tingly or uncomfortable at any point.

Because the mask is so rich, it can be annoying to get off. Our tester noted that although she got it all off eventually, she said she wishes she could have just jumped in the shower to get it off faster. Nevertheless, her skin appeared “glowy and fresh” after one use, and the tiny clogged pores on her cheeks looked smaller.

Ingredients: Kaolin clay, Bentonite clay, Charcoal powder, Salicylic acid, Ginger root extract | Size: 2.5 oz.

Best Hydrating

Mario Badescu Super Collagen Mask

$20 at Amazon $20 at Sephora $20 at Ulta

Clay masks have a rep for being super drying, but with the right ingredients, they can be really hydrating too. Containing kaolin clay, oat flour, and collagen, this mask from Mario Badescu is a great example. According to our tester, the mask feels good on contact and offers a cooling, hydrating sensation similar to a “thick, refrigerated face cream.” You can expect the mask to sit pretty comfortably on the face (albeit the dryness that typically accompanies clay masks) without burning, stinging, or tingling. She admitted that since it dried so hard (“rock hard” were her exact words), it was tricky to get off. She recommends using lots of water and a gentle hand to remove the mask. Ironically, after she got every last remnant of the mask off, she said her skin felt “more hydrated than before” and ended up skipping out on moisturizer.

Ingredients: Kaolin clay, Oat flour, Collagen | Size: 2 oz.

Best Pore Cleansing

innisfree Volcanic AHA Pore Clearing Clay Mask

$16 at Amazon $16 at Sephora View on Innisfree.com

This catch-all mask is a popular one for many reasons, and Dr. Graf agrees. “Ideal for all skin types, this mask utilizes volcanic clusters and alpha-hydroxy acids to minimize the look of pores, absorb sebum, gently exfoliate, deeply cleanse, even out the skin tone, and cleanse away debris.” If you’re eager to address a pore-related problem, this super-potent mask will have an immediate effect on the skin. Our tester swears she noticed that the mask improved the look of her skin in just one use. Her skin appeared brighter, and a breakout looked like it started healing faster than usual. Whether you use it on your entire face or as a spot treatment on a problem area, you’ll want to keep this mask on hand for breakout emergencies.

Ingredients: Bentonite clay, Kaolin clay, Volcanic ash, Jeju volcanic clusters, Lactic acid | Size: 3.38 oz.

Best Purifying

Fresh Umbrian Clay Face Mask

$35 at Walmart $30 at Kohls.com View on Fresh.com

Using Umbrian clay sourced from Italy, this mask from fresh is a favorite among Byrdie editors and testers alike. Because it’s naturally rich in minerals that promote a calm, clear complexion, the mask works exceptionally well to address a bunch of concerns across a wide range of skin types. It has a nice, spreadable texture that glides on easily and doesn’t dry down as much as one might expect. Our tester was surprised, as he usually experiences cracking and drying when he uses clay masks. Although it dried in patches, his skin looked supple and dewy afterward. Overall, he was pleased with the fact that the mask reduced the oiliness on his skin and made his pores look tighter.

Ingredients: Bentonite clay, Kaolin clay, Volcanic ash, Jeju volcanic clusters, Lactic acid| Size: 3.38 oz.

Best for Sensitive Skin

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Facial Mask

$40 at Sephora $40 at Kohls.com

Clay masks aren’t known for being the most gentle, which is why we recommend this soothing weekly treatment from Glow Recipe for those with sensitive skin. Formulated with hyaluronic acid, this mask supports the skin’s moisture barrier while also gently purifying and decongesting pores. Those with sensitive skin will appreciate that skin stays soft and dewy despite the fact that it has microbead exfoliants in the form of blueberry seed powder. Our tester described her skin post-mask as “bright, fresh, bouncy, and clean,” which is exactly what one would want after a pore-refining mask. Plus, features like a nice smell and a cute glass pot make it even more enticing.

Ingredients: Kaolin clay, Hyaluronic acid, Watermelon enzymes, Beta-hydroxy acids, Blueberry seed powder | Size: 2.03 oz.

Best for Oily Skin

Youth To The People Superclay Purify Clear Power Mask

$38 at Amazon $38 at Sephora $38 at Nordstrom

Shiny skin is no match for this purifying formula, which counts on three different types of clays (kaolin, bentonite, and montmorillonite) niacinamide, salicylic acid, and kombucha to regulate sebum production within the skin. The thick mask is soft and spreadable, which our tester found especially helpful during the application process. It has a subtle cooling sensation, but our tester didn’t mind. She actually loved that she could feel the mask getting to work inside her pores. The pro-grade facial mask only needs to stay on the skin for ten minutes to reach its full potential, so take the time to sit back, relax, and let the mask work its magic. When the time is up, and the mask has dried, wash it off and follow up with an oil-free moisturizer for best results.

Keep in mind that because the mask contains microbeads, you should take caution when applying it to the skin. If you’re too abrasive, you can run the risk of causing irritation.

Ingredients: Kaolin clay, Bentonite clay, Montmorillonite clay, Niacinamide, Salicylic acid, Kombucha | Size: 2.03 oz.

Best Charcoal

buttah Charcoal Detox Mask

$26 at Amazon $26 at Ulta $26 at Nordstrom

This mask features antibacterial properties that help remove pore-clogging bacteria. Especially if you have skin prone to acne and blackheads, using a charcoal mask every so often (aka weekly) can be a great addition to your skincare routine. The Charcoal Detox Mask from buttah wowed our testers with its super creamy formula, nourishing ingredients, and ease of removal. The combination of clays alongside the charcoal powder can be drying on their own, but the added shea butter and argan oil help balance everything out. The result: Comfortable, hydrated skin. Our tester raved about how “clean and fresh” her skin felt after using the mask. Though she didn’t notice too much of a difference, it’s important to remember that good things take time. You may have to use the mask repeatedly for a number of weeks before you see any drastic results.

Ingredients: Bentonite clay, Kaolin clay, Activated charcoal powder, Argan oil, Shea butter | Size: 1 oz.