Clay masks are must-haves for many women, specifically those with oily skin. They are great at drawing out dirt, oil, grime, and other impurities deep from your pores without damaging your skin. They absorb those elements and dead skin through capillary action.

Using a clay maks is a far more gentle, not to mention, more effective method, of treating your blackheads, instead of using pore strips. When it comes to blackheads, they can loosen and remove clogged pores.

So, while you’re lounging at home doing nothing, it’s a perfect way to relax while you have a face mask on and catch up with some movies. Suffice it to say, clay masks are frankly too good to be true. This leaves you only one thing, and that is to choose the right clay mask for you.

After all, there are countless of variety to choose from. In this article, we will help you make your buying decision easier. As such, before we head over to our review section, it pays to read first our buyer’s guide on how to identify the right clay mask for your blackheads and skin type.

How To Choose The Best Clay Mask For Blackheads

Clay mask products can be categorized into three families:

1. Green clay has the highest quantity of mineral and is a powerful method of absorbing sebum buildup and oil

2. Red clay belongs under the kaolin variety and has a higher silicate content. Red clay is packed with iron oxides that refresh the skin and dissolves dead skin cells.

3. White clay is known for its less absorbent quality compared to green and red clay, which makes it the best option for sensitive skin types.

Clay is an amazing material to deeply purify and cleanse the skin. It’s also great at removing blackheads and congested pores. However, not all clays are created equal. In fact, there are various types of clay masks.

All of them are good at cleansing your skin and eliminating the buildup of dead skin cells, blackheads, and sebum trapped in the pores. That said, apart from blackhead removal, each type of clay mask has other varied skin benefits to offer:

Bentonite Clay

While salicylic acid is a top-notch acne fighter, people with oily skin should consider bentonite clay as one of their holy grail. It works by sponging in all excess skin without completely over-drying your skin.

Kaolin Clay

This clay mask variation is gentle enough to be used by people with sensitive or dry skin. It also rejuvenates your skin, giving it a radiant glow.

Rhassoul Clay

Also known as Morrocan clay, this clay type is great for both hair and skin, thanks to its brimming mineral content. It’s a perfect magnet for extracting all those impurities while providing elasticity and texture-improving effects to the skin.

French Green Clay

Perfect for mature and aging skin, this clay boasts the natural effects of firming the skin, minimizing inflammation, and enhancing blood circulation.

Our 6 Best Clay Mask Products for Blackheads

As we have discussed briefly, there are various types of clay face masks. And while all types can be used to treat your blackheads, some are better than others, and these include bentonite, rhassoul, and kaolin clay masks.

That’s why today, we will be emphasizing these three types of facial masks and which products we think are best for each type.

1. Aztec Secret – Indian Healing Bentonite Clay Mask

This clay mask from Aztec Secret is made with 100% natural calcium bentonite clay. It’s highly concentrated with various minerals including calcium, sodium, magnesium, iron, and potassium. Tons of people have testified about how this product has significantly helped improve their skin.

For starters, it is primarily used by people with blackhead, clogged pores, and chronic acne issues. Other bonus benefits include diminishing old scars and even getting rid of dark circles. This mask is suitable for any skin type, be it dry, oily, combination, or sensitive. Seeing as it comes in powder form, you’ll have to mix it with water or apple cider vinegar in a separate bowl.

The clay works by absorbing traces of dirt and oil, including blackheads, from your skin as it dries, sucking them all out in the end. Since this clay mask tends to be too drying to the skin, it’s crucial to moisturize your skin afterward.

Our verdict: Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay is a wonderful product for people who are looking to clear up their blackheads, clogged pores, and other blemishes in general. It’s a staple skincare product for clearer and healthier skin.

2. Pure Biology Premium Bentonite Clay Mask

On top of all the deep cleansing benefits of a traditional clay base, this clay mask from Pure Biology is formulated to take pore cleansing a step beyond. It features a proprietary pea peptide extract that enhances skin brightness and texture.

This product is perfect for numerous skin problems like blackhead, acne, dark spots, acne, and excess oil, while simultaneously correcting a dull complexion, without your skin feeling dry. What’s more, this clay mask is packed not just with one kind of clay but two.

Made with bentonite and kaolin clay in addition to Retinol, Vitamin B, C, E, and natural Alpha Hydroxy Acids (e.g., glycolic and lactic acid), this product provides the necessary nutrients your skin needs while delivering potent detoxifying benefits. As for the skin types, its formula is gentle enough to suit sensitive and acne-prone skin. So, if you’re suffering from acne and blackheads, then this one’s for you.

Our verdict: Pure Biology Premium Bentonite Clay Mask’s benefits are best felt if you have a more oily and blackhead-prone skin type. It’s also ideal if you wish to reduce or lighten your skin blemishes.

3. Poppy Austin Rhassoul Hair & Face Rejuvenating Clay

Made of 100% pure and natural purifying clay from Morocco, this Rhassoul Clay from Poppy Austin is completely free from parabens, alcohol, synthetic additives, and fragrances. It has a high silica content, allowing the clay to function as a daily skin conditioner, cleanser, face mask, and even hair treatments.

When it comes to blackheads, it’s one of the most effective natural facials and is safe for the most sensitive and dry skin. Besides removing blackheads, this natural product also flawlessly eliminates dead skin cells, soothes acne symptoms, regulates oiliness, dries out blemishes, and minimizes pores.

Thanks to its light and gentle formula, it works great for sensitive, dry, and oily skin as it also alleviates, moisturizes, and controls oiliness, while ensuring that it does not leave your skin dry. For a brighter, healthier and glowing skin with lesser blackheads, this natural mask face won’t disappoint you.

Bonus point – it softens and moisturizes your hair, giving it a natural bouncy feeling.

Our verdict: Poppy Austin Rhassoul Hair & Face Clay can help remove those pesky blackheads and blocked pores while keeping your skin buttery soft, smooth and toned.

4. MAJESTIC PURE Moroccan Red Clay Facial Mud Mask with British Rose

Carefully crafted with powerful botanical ingredients, this Moroccan Red Clay Mask from Majestic Pure is best for all skin types, particularly for acne and blackhead-prone, dull, and sensitive skin. This red clay is infused with high mineral content, vitamins, and other elements to deeply nourish your skin to achieve a supple and youthful look.

Additionally, the natural cleansing mask is specifically designed to fight off your stubborn blackheads, reduce excess oil and other impurities. It doesn’t feel too tight when dried, which is ideal for extra sensitive skin types. As for the consistency, it’s has a creamy texture so it’s easy to spread on your face.

Plus, unlike those clay face masks on powder-form, this one is applied directly. The mask itself is also very hydrating, both while it was on the face and even after you have washed it off.

Our verdict: Majestic Pure Moroccan Red Clay Mask is highly recommended for anyone who is looking for a moisturizing mask and at the same time, a blackhead treatment.

5. Revive Science Kaolin Clay Face Mask

On a lookout for a detoxifying face mask with a potent combination of ingredients? Look no further than the Revive Science Kaolin Clay Face Mask that is blended with amazing ingredients like Kaolin Clay, Pink Clay, Blue Clay, Activated Charcoal, and Lecithin. This amazing combination is specially formulated to treat blackheads, clogged pores, and skin impurities. 

You can use it as an all-over facial mask or a spot treatment, whatever fits you. Filled with three exfoliating clays plus Activated Charcoal, this clay mask work wonders in drawing out excess oil and dirt without overdrying the skin. This product is also great at not just cleansing but also hydrating your face as it contains Lecithin, which nourishes and helps lock in moisture.

It’s perfect for acne treatment, blackheads removal, and light exfoliation. Lastly, this clay mask is ideal for all skin types, such as sensitive, dry, oily, and acne-prone.

Our verdict: Revive Science Kaolin Clay Face Mask is a triple-action treatment with an impressive ingredient list that promotes deep cleansing and blackhead treatment.

6. Elizavecca Milky Piggy Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask

Want a unique and fun way of cleansing, exfoliating, and nourishing your skin? Have you heard of Elizavecca Milky Piggy Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask? This super entertaining clay mask gives off a tingling sensation while producing gray clouds on your face. It may feel too sticky and clammy at first, but it works well on clearing your blackheads.

This charcoal mask features a type of perfluorocarbons that allows them to store a huge quantity of soluble oxygen. When exposed to air, these elements release that oxygen in the form of bubbles, hence the name. Its main ingredient is a charcoal powder, which is known for its purifying properties that help remove blackheads and grime in clogged pores.

The bubbles slough off dead skin cells and extract pore-clogging sebum, oil, and dirt. Aside from cleansing, it replenishes, softens, and smoothes your skin, revealing a youthful glow. Like many clay blackhead masks, this product tends to on the extra drying side so sensitive skin should proceed with caution.  

Our verdict: Elizavecca Milky Piggy Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask is very effective in toning and brightening the skin. For a charcoal mask, it does a good job of exfoliating your skin and reducing blackheads.

FAQS

1. Do I have to moisturize after every clay mask treatment?

YES.

Post-masking care is, in fact, crucial if you want to get the most out of your blackhead masks. Simply put, always moisturize after. Clay face masks are powerful at detoxifying your pores, often sucking out your skin’s natural moisture along with impurities.

As a result, it makes your skin feeling tight, warm, dry, and sometimes red. With a decent amount of moisturizer applied on your face, these after-effects should be gone.

2. Is it okay to leave a clay mask on for over a few minutes beyond the recommended time duration?

Again, clay blackhead masks can already be too drying on the skin, even more so if you wear them for too long. While they can indeed absorb excess oil and remove blackheads, overusing them can also be damaging to your skin.

Leaving them on for too long or applying them too frequently will just do more harm than good. Thus, to ensure that your skin gets maximum benefits, use them the right way.

3. Which is the best clay mask as a blackhead solution?

Honestly, all products are amazing, but if I were to choose just one, I’d personally go with Pure Biology Premium Bentonite Clay Mask. For one, it serves its purpose well in removing blackheads, which is very important since that’s what we are most after.

Second, it offers the best of both worlds since it’s composed of two clay types, bentonite, and kaolin clay. And finally, it’s packed with vitamins and retinol that help lighten dark spots and pimple marks.

All those things are exactly what I’m looking for in a clay mask as someone who has oily, sensitive and acne-prone skin.

4. Does a power clay mask work just as good when mixed water, instead of apple cider vinegar?

It depends. Water is best for those with super sensitive skin as using apple cider vinegar with a clay mask can be too strong for their skin. Otherwise, their skin might react badly, leading to more skin problems.

Some people with sensitive skin can get away with half water and half vinegar, so it’s great if this works for you as well. Obviously, when it comes to efficacy, apple cider vinegar is far more superior to water. But then again, taking into account your skin type should be prioritized.

Final thoughts

Even way back, clay has been used for its medicinal properties, specifically in the skincare department. One of the major reasons why many people opt to use clay face masks is due to its more lasting effects when it comes to removing or reducing blackheads.

This explains why clay blackhead masks are extremely popular these days, both among men and women. After all, as the popular saying goes, “Skincare is life.”

By considering all the points and product highlights above, hopefully, this article can help you decide better on which clay mask to purchase for your blackheads.