What’s better than giving yourself a little spa night while also treating breakouts? The right face mask for acne-prone skin can help absorb excess oil and clear your pores while you sit back and relax.
So take a look at our top picks for masks and carve out a little weekly self-care time as part of your acne treatment plan.
Dermalogica Clear Start Blackhead Clearing Fizz Mask with Kaolin Clay and 3% Sulfur
This unique mask from Dermalogica uses a fizzing formula that activates when you apply it to help open pores. It's specifically designed to clear blackheads so it's a great mask to use on areas of your face that get congested. The kaolin clay gets to work absorbing excess oil while sulfur's antimicrobial properties help keep skin clear. It can be used 2-3 times per week and with regular use it can help decongest your pores.
- Fizzing action makes it fun to apply
- Can help clear blackheads
- Sulfur to clear breakouts
- Small amount for price
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque with Clarifying Charcoal and Clay
The Ordinary's clarifying mask is a powerful option designed for blemish-prone skin. It uses 2% salicylic acid to exfoliate and remove oil deep into pores while also improving skin tone and texture. Other key ingredients are kaolin clay and charcoal which help to absorb impurities and remove congestion. To balance out this strong formula, squalane and glycerin keep your skin moisturized.
- Charcoal and kaolin clay absorb impurities
- 2% salicylic acid exfoliates and removes oil
- Squalane and glycerin to moisturize
- Charcoal can stain
Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Mask Absorbs Excess Oil with Amazonian White Clay and Aloe Vera
Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Cleansing Mask is a gentle option that is still effective on acne-prone skin. It minimizes the appearance of your pores using Amazonian white clay, a mineral rich kaolin clay, which is responsibly sourced from the mouth of the Amazon river by local communities. Together with bentonite clay, it can draw out excess oil and impurities that can clog pores and make them look larger.
- Mineral rich Amazonian white clay and bentonite clay absorb excess oil
- Aloe vera soothes and moisturizes
- Comes in a large size
- More expensive than other options
AcneFree Acne Clearing Mask 3.5% Sulfur Acne Treatment with Vitamin C, Bentonite, and Zinc
This clay mask from AcneFree really packs a punch at an affordable price point for sensitive acne-prone skin. Kaolin and bentonite clays absorb excess oil to improve the appearance of pores while 3.5% sulfur helps reduce breakouts with its bacteria fighting properties. The addition of vitamin C and copper help to brighten and improve your skin tone. This mask can also be used on individual pimples as spot treatment.
- Great value
- Kaolin and bentonite clay absorb oil
- Sulfur helps reduce breakouts
- Cooling sensation may be irritating for some
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Gentle Purifying Clay Face Mask for Oily Skin Controls Shine
Roche Posay's Effaclar mask for oily skin is designed as a 2-in-1 product that is both a purifying clay mask and shine control. This mask uses kaolin clay and salicylic acid to absorb impurities and excess oil, and also mattifies the skin to reduce shine. The addition of glycerin helps to keep it from being too drying. If you struggle with oily skin, this mask would be a great option on days when you want a more matte look.
- Clay controls excess oil
- Mattifies skin to reduce shine
- Contains fragrance
Murad Rapid Relief Acne Clay Face Mask with Salicylic Acid and 5% Sulfur
The Rapid Acne Relief mask by Murad is made with 5% bacteria-fighting sulfur as well as exfoliating salicylic acid to tackle breakouts. Kaolin clay, which works to absorb excess oil and reduce shine, is balanced with hydrating Austrian peat extract to keep the mask from being too drying. The smell of sulfur is partially covered by eucalyptus oil, so you get the acne-fighting power with a spa night friendly scent.
- 5% sulfur fights breakouts
- Salicylic acid clears pores
- Kaolin clay absorbs excess oil
- Expensive for the size
Aztec Secret Natural Calcium Bentonite Clay Deep Pore Cleansing Mask
This bentonite clay mask by Aztec Secret is a classic for good reason. It comes as bentonite clay powder that must be mixed into a paste with water or apple cider vinegar before being applied to your face. The clay will powerfully absorb excess oil and impurities, so keep it on for only 5 minutes if you have sensitive skin. Also note that bentonite can clog plumbing, so remove the mask with a washcloth or paper towel, not down the drain.
- Simple one ingredient clay
- Powerful at absorbing excess oil
- Pure bentonite clay can clog plumbing
- Must be mixed with liquid before use
