The use of clay dates back to prehistoric times when clay was often used for treating various ailments. Today, clay has turned into the best ingredient for facial masks to help you achieve a flawless and glowing complexion. Curious? Read on to find out what some of the best clay masks can do for your skin!
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Benefits of clay masks
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Draws out impurities
Clay masks are well-known for their ability to draw out impurities from the skin by binding to toxins. The pollutants are then removed along with the clay mask when you rinse it off your face.
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Regulates sebum production
Clay masks help to absorb excess sebum from the skin, making it a great skincare product for those with oily and acne-prone skin. As such, those with dry skin may feel a bit reluctant to try out a clay mask but rest assured there are different kinds of clay masks that can still help you reap all the benefits while maintaining your skin’s moisture.
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Unclogs and shrinks pores
Besides drawing out impurities and dirt, a clay mask also helps tighten your skin and minimise the appearance of pores so your skin looks more refined and smooth.
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Brightens skin complexion
Clay masks can fight uneven and dull skin tones by removing the excess dead skin cells on the skin’s surface, leaving behind a brighter and glowing complexion.
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Great for low maintenance skincare
Is it good to use a clay mask everyday? The answer is no. This is because most clay masks work so well at drawing out the gunk in your skin, they can get a little drying if you use them on a daily basis. Instead, use them up to three times a week to detoxify your skin and maintain a flawless complexion. This makes clay masks perfect for low maintenance skincare!
How to apply clay masks
Step 1 – Cleanse your face thoroughly with a cleanser to remove dirt on the surface of your skin. Then, pat dry your skin gently to remove moisture.
Step 2 – Using a mask brush, paint the clay mask evenly across your face in a thin layer. Your skin may be peeking through your clay mask and that’s ok. There’s no need to pile the product on.
Step 3 – Leave the clay mask on for about 10 to 15 minutes. However, pay attention to never let your clay mask dry thoroughly. A good sign that it’s time to wash it off is when the clay mask starts to dry around the edges of your face but is still slightly moist across your cheeks and forehead. This prevents the clay mask from absorbing all the moisture back from your skin.
Step 4 – Wash off your clay mask thoroughly with warm water. If your clay mask contains exfoliant bits, gently cleanse the mask away in a circular motion for extra exfoliation.
Step 5 – Once you’re done cleaning, pat your skin dry and move on to your skincare routine, ensuring to moisturise your skin properly.
Best clay masks for dull skin
1. Sand & Sky Australian Pink Clay Porefining Face Mask
Housed in this cheery bubble gum pink tub is the well-known Sand & Sky Australian Pink Clay Porefining Face Mask (available on Sand & Sky Official Store) that’s highly raved about by beauty gurus. Made from Australian pink clay, the purest clay in the world, this mask is jam-packed with nutrients and minerals, suitable even for those with sensitive skin. In addition, the Sand & Sky clay mask contains organic liquorice, old man’s weed and kakadu plum (world’s richest source of vitamin C). Together, they eliminate pigmentation and brighten your skin for overall radiance! Those who tried this pink clay mask also loved that it purifies and tightens up pores for smoother skin.
2. Jeju Volcanic Yellow Colour Clay Mask
The Jeju Volcanic Yellow Colour Clay Mask (available on Innisfree Official Store) is made with kaolin, bentonite and volcanic ash clay. It contains Vitamin C derivatives in the form of ascorbyl glucoside to help brighten and enhance the skin’s radiance. It’s also formulated with citrus unshiu peel extracts which serve as a skin brightening and whitening agent. The ingredients in the Jeju Volcanic Yellow Colour Clay Mask will definitely deliver with use once or twice per week! Its 70ml packaging also makes it a wonderful travel-friendly clay mask for some TLC while you’re on staycation!
3. COSMETEA Black Tea Pink Clay Mask
Black Tea contains high levels of antioxidants and boosts the skin’s radiance by lowering its susceptibility to UV damage. The COSMETEA Black Tea Pink Clay Mask (available on Cosmetea official shop) works to resurface new skin cells with the help of kaolin and bentonite clay. The addition of black tea and soybean extracts help to keep the skin moisturised and glowing by lowering sun damage! Prevent uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation and other skin problems caused by UV exposure with the help of this pink clay mask.
Best clay masks for large pores
4. Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask
The Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask (available on Innisfree Official Store) promises to draw dirt out from your pores as well as shrink and refine them. If you’re looking for the best clay mask for blackheads, you should give this Innisfree clay mask a go. The Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask contains a mix of Jeju volcanic clusters, bentonite clay, kaolin clay and AHA. Not only does it help get rid of dirt and bacteria from the skin but the AHAs present also provides gentle skin exfoliation for a brighter complexion.
5. Essano Rosehip Pink Clay Detoxifying Mask
Did you know that oily skin usually comes hand in hand with unsightly large pores? This is because the pores are stretched to allow the excess sebum produced by your skin to flow. As a result, the pores enlarge and end up trapping more oil, dirt and dead skin cells in them — forming blackheads. To help tighten up your pores and keep the oil at bay, use the Essano Rosehip Pink Clay Detoxifying Mask (available on S-Mart by Shopee Official Store). This pink clay mask acts as a magnet to attract all the gunk out of your pores. Your pores reduce in size and become less obvious once they are unclogged. In addition, this best clay mask is also formulated with shea butter, aloe vera and rosehip oil to restore balance and hydrate your skin from within.
6. Mamonde Pore Clean Clay Mask
Plus points for the light, mousse-like texture of the clay mask from this Korean skincare brand. The Mamonde Pore Clean Clay Mask (available on mamondesg) effectively extracts impurities from the skin alongside providing gentle exfoliation. If you’re a fan of physical exfoliants, as opposed to chemical exfoliants like AHAs and salicylic acid (BHA), the Mamonde clay mask has got you covered. It comes in a soft kaolin and bentonite clay formula with the addition of fine walnut shell to provide mild physical exfoliation for a smoother complexion.
7. Lapthicell Pore Purifying Clay Mask
Many people prefer sheet masks to clay masks simply because most clay masks are hard to apply due to their thick, pasty texture. However, this is not the case with the Lapothicell Pore Purifying Clay Mask (available on Florray Singapore Official Store). It boasts a smooth, whip cream-like texture that’s easy to spread across your skin and work into your pores. This unique texture is also what makes this the best clay mask for enlarged pores as the formula is able to penetrate into your pores and extract sebum, dead skin cells and dirt thoroughly! After cleaning the pores, the mask dries down and works its magic to tighten the pores and improve skin elasticity. The Lapothicell mask also contains kaolin clay which is excellent for regulating sebum production and can effectively soothe troubled skin.
Best clay masks for oily/acne-prone skin
8. Aztec Healing Clay Mask
If you’re a skincare fanatic, you’ve probably heard the buzz surrounding the Aztec Healing Clay Mask (available on Dollarsaver). This popular product is fully made from a single ingredient – natural calcium bentonite clay. This also means no additives or fragrances are added. Bentonite clay has one of the strongest oil-absorbing properties compared to other types of clay, making it one of the best clay masks for treating acne-prone skin.
Unlike most clay masks, the Aztec Healing Clay Masks comes in powder form. Our review of the Aztec Healing Clay mask revealed that mixing the clay with apple cider vinegar is an easy yet effective way to give your skin the deep cleanse it deserves! The affordable price point also makes it a winner for us!
9. Neutrogena Deep Clean Clay Mask
The Neutrogena Deep Clean Clay Mask (available on Johnson & Johnson Official Store) is one of the best two-in-one clay masks on the market. This mask is formulated with a mix of bentonite clay, kaolin clay and salicylic acid and functions as both a cleanser and a clay mask. Salicylic acid, in particular, fights acne by eliminating dead skin cells and bacteria while providing gentle exfoliation at the same time. Simply apply the Neutrogena clay mask and leave it on for 15 minutes, then wash it off with water and voila! Say hello to clean and fresh skin.
10. Alya Skin Australian Pink Clay Mask
Treating red and angry acne can be tricky. But that’s not the case when you have the Alya Skin Australian Pink Clay Mask (available on BODYBLENDZ.SG (Mall))! Australian Kaolin pink clay is known for its detoxification properties — exactly what acne-prone skin needs. Allow the Alya clay mask to purge all the impurities nestled in your pores to improve your acne condition and prevent pesky breakouts in the future. In addition, this is also the best clay mask for your daily skin use as it defends your skin against pollutants such as dust, dirt and toxins.
Best clay masks for dry skin
11. Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque
Looking for a suitable clay mask that won’t dry out your skin? Try the Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque (available on NANA MALL)! It is an Amazonian white clay mask formulated with aloe barbadensis leaf juice — known to soothe and hydrate the skin! This Kiehl’s clay mask does an excellent job of purifying pores and reducing pore size while maintaining the skin’s moisture. Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque will be a great addition to your skincare routine for clean and moisturised skin!
12. Origins Retexturizing Mask With Rose Clay
Rose clay is a gentle kaolinite based pink clay and is one of the best clay masks for those with dry and sensitive skin. The Origins Retexturizing Mask With Rose Clay (available on NANA MALL) contains Canadian willowherb which boasts anti-inflammatory and soothing properties — perfect for skin that gets easily irritated. It also contains Jojoba beads which gently exfoliates and evens out your skin. Consider pairing the Origins clay mask with a serum or moisturiser to give your skin an extra boost of hydration!
13. Freeman Avocado Oatmeal Clay Mask
For an effective and affordable option, you can’t go wrong with the Freeman Avocado Oatmeal Clay Mask (available on TJinternational)! It’s one of the best clay masks for those looking for a hydrating and soothing clay mask at a low cost. This Freeman clay mask includes persea gratissima (avocado) oil, which is rich in fatty acids, vitamin A and C, suitable for moisturising dehydrated skin. It also includes colloidal oatmeal, a popular ingredient for tackling eczema and other dry skin ailments.
Pamper your skin with the best clay masks and more
We hope this list of best clay masks helps address your skincare concerns! Don’t forget to snag great skincare deals during our 4.4 Mega Shopping Day! If you’re a fan of all things natural, feel free to check out our easy DIY face masks for an affordable skincare alternative! Or turn your face to this list of best Korean face masks if you’re looking to expand your beauty stash.
This article was updated on 18 March 2021. Additional research done by Iris Tan.
