10 Best Clay Masks To Keep Oily Skin And Clogged Pores At Bay

To properly apply a clay mask for the most effective outcome, follow these steps:

1. Cleanse: Wash your face thoroughly to remove makeup (if you have it on), sweat, and dirt.

2. Apply: Cover your face evenly with clay and let it sit for 5 to 15 minutes. 

3. Rinse: Rinse your face with lukewarm water or a damp cloth. 

4. Moisturise: Follow up with a lightweight moisturiser to keep your skin hydrated.

LBB Tip: Make sure you don't apply the mask every day as it can dry out your skin. Once or twice a week should suffice.

Although clay masks are usually considered a go-to for all skin types, it's still best to check both their benefits and limitations before adding them to your skincare routine.

Pros:

- Rich, creamy texture that is super-easy to apply as well as remove.

- Apart from absorbing excess oil, they also help with clearing out debris as well.

- Some clay masks can even help with exfoliating dead skin cells.

Cons:

- As mentioned before, applying clay masks alternatively and every day can cause a drying effect.

- Overuse can also lead to skin irritation, especially if your skin is sensitive.

- Skin Type: Look for clay masks that specifically target your unique skin needs. 

- Ingredients: Look for key ingredients like AHAs and BHAs, shea butter, and argon oil, that would make the mask even more effective. 

- Type Of Clay: Research and check which type of clay would suit you better, whether it is green which is highly absorbent or white which is gentle and mild.

Probably the first choice that pops into everyone's head when asked about clay masks! The Innisfree Super Volcanic Clay Mask is one of the best clay masks for clogged pores. It deeply cleanses and exfoliates, controls excess oil production, and soothes the skin. The mask is grey in colour with a rich and thick consistency that's super easy to use. The formula contains Jeju volcanic clusters and spheres that absorb up to 98 per cent sebum after just one use. It's great for people with oily skin and makes for a perfect mask to apply on your self-care Sunday.

Nykaa Rating: 4.5/5 (based on 8,082 ratings and 1,316 reviews)

Recommended For: Pores, excess oil, and blackheads

Key Ingredients: AHA, BHA, Jeju volcanic cluster

This Korean brand has recently come on our radar, and it's safe to say that we are impressed. This Cherry Blossom Brightening Clay Mask has cherry blossom, grapefruit, pearl extract, and liquorice root, all packed with antioxidants in an ultra-thin and smooth consistency. The kaolin clay is a game changer for oily skin, as it absorbs excess oil and impurities and rejuvenates troubled skin. It also unclogs pores, leading to fewer breakouts. It also has glycerin, which leaves the skin plump, glowy, and nourished. The best part, however, is the price point!

Nykaa Rating: 4.4/5 (based on 318 ratings and 51 reviews)

Recommended For: Skin brightening, soothing, hydration

Key Ingredients: Kaolin clay, glycerine, cherry blossom

If you are looking for a derma-certified brand that is toxin-free and purely vegan, you must check out XYST. We loved their Activated Charcoal + Kaolin clay face mask for how refreshing it is while combining the detoxifying powers of activated charcoal with the soothing properties of kaolin clay. We love the rich, creamy texture of the mask that makes it easy to apply and remove, while the subtle scent is both refreshing and calming. It also gets points for how it hydrates and helps reduce dark spots.

Nykaa Rating: 4.5/5 (based on 4 ratings and 1 review)

Recommended For: Oily, acne-prone skin, prevents dullness

Key Ingredients: Activated charcoal, kaolin clay, glycerine

Bagging the award for being one of the best clay masks available, Dot & Key Anti-Acne Salicylic Green Clay Face Mask is great for someone who has acne-prone oily skin. We're in love with the non-comedogenic formula, which is perfect for sensitive skin. The mask contains a punch of super cica, salicylic acid, matcha green tea, and French green clay, all of which work together to calm redness and inflammation, heal active acne, prevent acne-causing bacteria, and unclog and refine pores. Just ten minutes with this mask, and you will see immediate results of more healthy, glowy-looking skin, perfect for weekend self-care rituals. 

Nykaa Rating: 4.4/5 (based on 7,593 ratings and 1,040 reviews)

Recommended For: Acne-free, clear and matte skin

Key Ingredients: Super cica, salicylic acid, matcha green tea, French green clay

Another gem for folks with sensitive skin is Dr Sheth's Passion Fruit & Sulphur Mask, which is enriched with Bentonite and Kaolin clay. The passion fruit has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, detoxifies the skin, unclogs the pores, and prohibits the production of excess sebum production. Both Bentonite and Kaolin clay work to absorb all the oil, dirt, and impurities. It is one of the best clay masks that is also super pocket-friendly and is a great choice for folks with acne-prone oily skin.

Nykaa Ratings: 4.3/5 (based on 743 ratings and 66 reviews)

Recommended For: Excess sebum control, detoxification of the skin, and soothing redness.

Key Ingredients: 5% sulphur, passion fruit oil, kaolin clay, bentonite clay

Pro-Tip: Check out our detailed review of Dr. Sheth's sunscreens here.

The Body Shop needs no introduction, known for its ethically sourced great-smelling skincare. All of their creations are vegan and cruelty-free, and we have been using their Tea Tree maks for as long as we can remember. It comes in a very sleek, convenient, tube packaging, that instantly delivers a cooling sensation that refreshes the skin, without drying it out. It visibly lightens the blemishes and is a great cleansing clay mask that is worth all the spending. 

Nykaa Rating: 4.4 (based on 528 ratings and 117 reviews)

Recommended For: Helping with blemishes, refreshed and clear-looking skin

Key Ingredients: Tea tree oil, shea butter, kaolin 

Thank You Farmer is a Korean skincare brand that is supremely famous for its pure ingredients. We've tried and loved their sunscreen stick, and now are eyeing their Rice Clay Mask. The cool thing about this clay mask is that it's a two-in-one product that also works as a cleanser and is able to deeply clean the pores. It contains kaolin and bentonite clay, along with rice, quinoa, yulmu, and oat extracts that improve skin texture while removing any impurities. First, use it as a mask and then lather it up with water to cleanse your face.

Nykaa Rating: 4.5/5 (based on 33 ratings and 4 reviews)

Recommended For: Excess oil absorption, removing impurities, and preventing dullness

Key Ingredients: Tocopherol (vitamin E), linoleic acid, glycerine

With beautiful, minimal, pastel packaging and roots in Japanese heritage, ClayCo Purifying Matcha Clay Mask is a vegan and cruelty-free mask that needs to be on your radar. The antioxidant properties of matcha and three varieties of clay make your skin super lustrous and radiant, while the gentle formulation also evens out your skin tone, helps with blemishes, and leaves your skin with a natural glow. This clay mask also mildly exfoliates and is free from all kinds of parabens and sulfates. 

Nykaa Rating: 4.2/5 (based on 176 ratings and 4 reviews)

Recommended For: Exfoliation, lightening of the blemishes, and anti-aging properties

Key Ingredients: Matcha, green clay, trehalose, kaolin

Wild Organics is a brand that should not be slept on, especially for its clay masks. They have some of the best clay face masks that come in a concentrated powder form, which you have to mix with water or rose water to make a paste. The organic enzymes present work wondrously to remove dead skin cells and even stimulate the regeneration of damaged skin tissue. It naturally exfoliates the skin while also taking care of environmental stressors and other factors.

Nykaa Rating: 4.5/5 (based on 35 ratings and 6 reviews)

Recommended For: Damaged skin tissue and exfoliation

Key Ingredient: Glacial marin clay

Nat Habit should be on your must-check list if you are looking for natural beauty brands. While we have always loved their lip balms, even their clay masks are great. Made from raw ksheer (milk), honey, apple cider vinegar, and many other fresh-made natural ingredients, it is said to give suppleness to the skin while fighting ageing and UV damage. 

Nykaa Rating: 4.1/5 (based on 29 ratings and 5 reviews)

Recommended For: Dehydrated, sensitive skin

Key Ingredients: Aloe vera pulp, cucumber juice, pulp, raw milk

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Q. Which clay is best for the skin?

A. The best clay for your skin depends on your skin type and concerns. Bentonite clay is ideal for oily, acne-prone skin, French green clay mostly suits sensitive skin, and Kaolin clay works best for dry skin.

Q. Does clay brighten the skin?

A. Yes! Clay deeply exfoliates and cleanses the skin, which helps brighten your skin. Some clays even help with pigmentation. Since their main function is to absorb excess oil and impurities, they leave your skin looking fresher and more radiant.

Q. How often should I use clay masks?

A. Once or twice a week is ideal for most skin types. If you have very oily skin, you can use it up to three times a week. However, daily use is not recommended, as overuse can strip your skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation.