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8 Pore-Clearing Clay Masks For Oily Skin
When you have oily skin, it sometimes feels like it takes a village of products to balance your natural oils and prevent clogged pores and acne. One product that has proven effective? Clay masks for oily skin that use ingredients like bentonite clay, brown clay, green clay, or white clay to draw impurities to the skin's surface where the clay can absorb them and soak up excess sebum in the skin that contributes to blocked pores.
Sounds like a dream come true for oily skin types — and, while there are no skincare miracles, the right clay mask and a few good tips on how to use one can make a world of difference in your skin.
For starters, always try to give yourself a few minutes before a clay mask treatment to steam skin so that your pores are open and the mask can more effectively attract impurities, dirt, and oil in your skin. Try applying warm washcloths to your skin for about three minutes.
The type of clay you use has as much of an effect on the outcome of your treatment as the treatment itself. Brown clays are perfect can really help sap extra oils from the surface of skin, while green clay contains minerals like magnesium and potassium that make them perfect for sensitive skin, and bentonite clay unclogs pores, but also contains silica to help soften skin.
Whether you prefer pre-made clay masks or loose clay that you can DIY in your bathroom, these eight clay masks for oily skin are perfect for keeping your complexion clear and radiant.
1This Healing Mask That's 100 Percent Natural Calcium Bentonite Clay
Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay, $13, Amazon
This best-selling Indian healing clay contains 100 percent natural calcium bentonite clay that can be mixed with water, coconut oil, or apple cider vinegar to create your own powerful, deep pore cleansing mask (note: many reviewers suggest skipping water and using vinegar because the acid helps make this mask more effective). Reviewers who say they battle acne and have relied on prescription strength products rave about how this natural clay absorbs oils and sebum and can even help lighten acne scar discoloration.
2A Bubbly, Carbonated Clay Mask That Loosens Blackheads
Elizavecca Milky Piggy Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask, $11, Amazon
The combo of carbonic acid, clay mud, and charcoal powder in this Korean beauty clay mask make it fizzy and bubbly on the skin — which is totally fun. But it's also an effective mask for removing blackheads and unclogging pores and is rich with therapeutic ingredients like green tea extract, matcha powder, aloe vera leaf extract, and pomegranate.
3A Volcanic Ash Clay Treatment That Sloughs Off Dead Skin Cells
Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask, $14, Amazon
With double the amount of volcanic ash than its original formula, this clay mask works especially well at reducing oil and sebum in acne prone skin. It also boasts five benefits: it exfoliates dead skin cells, tightens pores and reduces their appearance, reduces surface oils, deep cleanses, and helps your skin tone look more even.
4An Antibacterial Clay Mask With Healing West African Neem
Neem Clay Face Mask, $25, Amazon
With French green clay, antibacterial West African neem, and a blend of essential oils, this clay mask deep cleanses, reduces inflammation, minimizes the appearance of pores, and helps heal pimples while preventing new ones from forming. It doesn't contain parabens, sulfates, gluten, or phthalates and is cruelty free. Reviewers with acne say that, with continued use, this mask gently and effectively reduces breakouts and that it can be used on the most sensitive skin types without causing a reaction.
5An Organic Bentonite Clay Mask That's Perfect For Sensitive Skin
Beauty By Earth Hydrating Face Mask, $17, Amazon
If you have parched skin and acne it's especially crucial to choose a clay mask that won't cause irritation or dryness — and this organic clay face mask delivers. With bentonite clay and kaolin leading the way to cleaner, clearer pores, acne-prone dry skin types will also benefit from the moisturizing effects of organic shea butter, organic jojoba oil, and soothing organic aloe vera leaf juice and organic cucumber extracts. It's already pre-formulated and won't create a mess in your bathroom — and it's perfect for sensitive skin types.
6A Mess-Free Mask With Volcanic Ash And Brown Seaweed
LAVO High Performance Volcanic Mud Mask, $19, Amazon
This soft and not at all messy clay mask (which has a "cream cheese consistency") contains volcanic ash, vitamin E, aloe vera, zinc oxide, and brown seaweed that help dry up acne, excavate bacteria and impurities from pores, soak up excess oils, and exfoliate dead skin cells. Reviewers say their skin feels refreshed and looks more matte after using this mask, but that it's never too tight or uncomfortable. One reviewer even said she could stop using primer after incorporating this product into her routine.
7A Multipurpose Moroccan Clay Powder For All Skin Types
Zakia's Morocco Moroccan Ghassoul Clay Powder, $12, Amazon
Moroccan clay from the Atlas Mountains is the secret ingredient in this clay powder that removes dead skin and blackheads while tightening pores and even addressing rough, dry patches of skin. Reviewers say they noticed less acne after using this over time and that a small amount goes a long way. Of all of the healing clays out there, reviewers with sensitive skin or dry skin and acne also say this type of clay is super soothing and won't cause irritation.
8A Bentonite Clay Mask That Helps Reduce The Appearance Of Pores
Majestic Pure Indian Healing Clay Powder, $11, Amazon
This deep pore cleansing and detoxifying clay powder mask contains 100 percent natural sodium bentonite clay, which can do everything from help heal acne and bruises to remove impurities from skin and shrink the appearance of pores. You'll have to DIY a mask using this powder and apple cider vinegar, water, or oils, but reviewers say it's well worth it and that this powder fades acne scars, evens out skin tone, and cleans oily skin exceptionally well.
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