Exploring the Best Face Masks for Acne Treatment

Got adult acne? Use a good cleanser and oil-free moisturizer. Add a face mask for extra defense. Look for anti-inflammatory and antibacterial ingredients. We found the best ones—charcoal face masks for acne to gentle exfoliators. Keep it simple, keep your skin clear!

Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask

A cleanser and mask combo. It’s versatile and experts recommend it for fighting acne bacteria with 3.5% benzoyl peroxide. Ideal for oily skin, thanks to kaolin and bentonite clay. Best for normal, non-sensitive skin; do a patch test first. Be careful with fabrics—it can bleach them. Rinse off in the shower after 5-15 minutes to avoid issues, as suggested by Dr. Finney.

Active Ingredients	Benzoyl peroxide
Benefits	Deep cleaning
Size	4.2 ounces
Cruelty-Free	No

Cetaphil Pro DermaControl Purifying Clay Mask

Bentonite and kaolin clay team up to unclog pores and exfoliate for glowing, oil-free skin. Fragrance and paraben-free, safe for thrice-weekly use. Shea butter prevents over-drying. Set a timer; it’s a gel mask, not the usual hardening type.

Active Ingredients	Kaolin and bentonite clay, shea butter, apple fruit
Benefits	Unclogs pores, reduces shine
Size	3 ounces
Cruelty-Free	No

Paula’s Choice Purifying Clay Mask

Paula’s Choice is a skincare favorite for its education and transparent approach. The Clear line acts like a deep clean for your pores, leaving no zit unturned. This clay mask is praised for its pore-reducing and mattifying effects. It boasts a great ingredient list with three clays to control shine, balanced by soothing herbs and breakout-fighting salicylic acid.

Active Ingredients	Brown seaweed, kaolin clay, salicylic acid
Benefits	Pore reduction, mattifying
Size	3.0 ounces
Cruelty-Free	Yes

Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial AHA + BHA Mask

Drunk Elephant’s T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial is a hit, saving users from monthly facials. It’s a splurge, but the blend of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and salicylic acid brightens skin at home. Dr. Finney likes it for unclogging pores and smoothing texture. Vegan and free from fragrant oils and silicones, it’s sensitive-skin friendly with chickpea flour and antioxidants. Use sparingly and follow up with moisturizer. Skip other treatments to avoid irritation or damage to your skin barrier.

Active Ingredients	Blend of AHAs, salicylic acid, chickpea flour
Benefits	Exfoliating, evens texture
Size	1.69 ouncesounces
Cruelty-Free	Yes

Exuviance Mud Mask

Exuviance’s mask is like a Roomba for your skin, sucking out pore-clogging dirt. Best Face Masks for Acne ,it has 23% charcoal, kaolin clay, and NeoGlucosamine to absorb oil and remove dead skin cells, unclogging pores. A bit pricey, but who wouldn’t pay for a flawless face? It visibly reduces pore appearance for that Instagram-filter finish. Only downside: it has fragrance, causing irritation for some with sensitive skin.

Active Ingredients	23 percent active charcoal, clay, and NeoGlucosamine blend
Benefits	Clarifying
Size	3.4 ounces
Cruelty-Free	Yes

Glamglow Acne Clearing Mask

Glamglow’s five-minute mask-cleanser combo is a dream for purging pores and banishing blackheads. Dr. Lal approves, highlighting salicylic acid, kaolin clay, and charcoal for effective pore cleaning. It’s less drying than benzoyl peroxide masks, making it great for combo skin. The mask uses silica beads for exfoliation, less abrasive than microplastic beads. If you want a smoother scrub, opt for an exfoliator without beads.

Active Ingredients	Benzoyl peroxide
Benefits	Deep cleaning
Size	4.2 ounces
Cruelty-Free	No

EltaMD Skin Recovery Night Mask

For clear skin, sunscreen is a must, but the journey to perfect skin often involves trial and error. If you’ve faced issues from scrubs or treatments, this mask provides some much-needed R&R. Packed with three amino acids, it deeply hydrates, reducing redness and flakiness. Antioxidants shield against pollution and sun damage, preventing dark spots and fine lines. The mask also helps your skin balance its moisture, avoiding excess oil that leads to breakouts. It’s all about healing and protecting, with many users seeing reduced redness—just don’t expect instant perfection after one use.

Active Ingredients	Amino acids, antioxidants
Benefits	Rejuvenating
Size	1.7 ounces
Cruelty-Free	No

Herbivore Pore Refining Mask

Blue Tansy’s vegan mask is irritation-free with plant-based goodness. Dr. Wolinsky likes the willow bark for pore-clearing and natural soothers like papaya. If you’re dry, use it briefly weekly; Best Face Masks for Acne , you can extend the time. Not a spa scent (some find it medicinal), but it’s all-natural, no synthetic fragrances.

Active Ingredients	White willow bark extract, fruit enzymes, blue tansy oil
Benefits	Clarifying
Size	2 ounces
Cruelty-Free	Yes

What to Keep in Mind?

Skin Type

Reading reviews can be tricky because what works for one person might not work for another, depending on their skin type. Here are some general rules:

• If you have dry skin, Dr. Lal suggests using masks without acids and opting for hydrating ingredients instead of exfoliants.
• For sensitive skin, limit ingredients and avoid fragrances, as suggested by Dr. Wolinsky. A patch test is essential for those with sensitive skin.
• If you have oily or combination skin, you can tolerate more and benefit from masks with AHAs and BHAs.

Ingredients

When choosing a face mask, consider your skin type and specific needs. For active acne, look for ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, salicylic acid, AHAs (like glycolic, mandelic, and lactic acid), and BHAs. Dr. Wolinsky also suggests PHAs and azelaic acid for acne-prone skin.

Dr. Lal advises avoiding vitamin C, as it can cause breakouts. Instead, opt for clay masks, especially if you have oily skin, as they help reduce sebum and clear out pollutants from pores.

Know Your Goals

Choosing a face mask depends on whether you’re dealing with inflammatory or non-inflammatory acne. For inflammatory issues with red, inflamed bumps, a benzoyl peroxide-based mask can be helpful. If you’re tackling small clogged pores and texture concerns, go for masks with AHAs and BHAs, especially salicylic acid, which helps cut through oil, advises Dr. Finney.

Conclusion

For red, inflamed bumps, go for a benzoyl peroxide mask. If dealing with small clogged pores and texture, choose masks with salicylic acid and AHAs/BHAs. Consider your skin type for the best results.