Who doesn’t love a fresh start?
There’s no better way to get one than with a good clay mask. And with the new year in full swing, it’s the perfect time for a clean sweep. Because clay is porous, it absorbs excess oil, dirt, and other impurities from the surface, revealing cleaner, softer skin. It also gently exfoliates, making it an ideal treatment for nearly all skin types. In short, clay masks are the perfect way to give your skin the clean slate it deserves.
As a lifelong skincare enthusiast, I’ve accumulated my share of favorite clay masks, products I faithfully revisit whenever I feel my skin needs a deeper-than-usual cleanse.
Youth To The People Superfood Skin Reset Mask: Does anyone else miss this mask as much as I do? I’ll admit that I’m a sucker for any skincare product that contains the word “reset.” This mask was a skincare lover’s dream, featuring superfoods like kale and spinach, plus antioxidants spirulina and microalgae. Sadly, this particular product has been discontinued. However, if you’re in the market for something similar, try the Superclay Purify + Clear Power Mask, which features niacinamide, kombucha, and exfoliating salicylic acid. $38
Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask With Rose Clay: Great for multitasking, this mask combines kaolin clay to lift away impurities and jojoba esters to exfoliate and polish skin gently. Sugarcane helps draw moisture into the skin for a purifying cleanse that won’t leave your face feeling overly dry. $36
Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask: If your skin needs a deeper cleanse, Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask is the one to try. Formulated with kaolin clay and bamboo charcoal, this mask goes deep to lift away lingering dirt and debris for smoother, clarified skin. $36
Volition Chocolate Macadamia Hydrating Mask: With deep cleaning kaolin and nourishing macadamia oil, this indulgent, chocolate-scented mask gets skin super clean while leaving it feeling refreshed and hydrated. Ideal for dry skin types, the antioxidant-rich formula helps to replenish lost moisture and shield skin from free radical damage. Niacinamide controls oil and boosts the protective skin barrier. $47
Final Thoughts
As always, be mindful of your skin type when trying new products, and perform a patch test before use. If your skin is sensitive or prone to dryness, look for products that contain kaolin clay rather than bentonite (kaolin is gentler on the skin). Overusing clay masks has the potential to cause excessive dryness. If you already have dry skin, you may want to limit your use of clay masks to once per week at most.