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Byrdie / Chloe Jeong
While blackheads aren't necessarily a cause for concern, they can be hard to ignore when staring at yourself in the mirror. Even if you're well past your teen years and have otherwise clear skin, there's always a chance they'll rear their ugly heads.
"Blackheads form when a pore becomes clogged with dead skin cells and oil," explains NYC-based dermatologist Hadley King, MD, FAAD. "When this material becomes oxidized by exposure to air, it appears black—hence the name blackhead." Luckily, there's an entire skincare category focused on tackling the issue, one of the most effective solutions being masks.
Byrdie Researched & Approved
Overall, our top choice is GlamGlow Supermud which contains an ingredient that works well on oily skin and can also be used as a spot treatment. For a wallet-friendly product, we also like the Bioré Instant Warming Clay Charcoal Face Mask because it gets the job done in just one minute.
According to Claire Wolinsky, MD, the goal of a mask should be to lightly exfoliate. The derms we spoke to recommend AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids), BHAs (beta-hydroxy acids), and enzymes, as well as absorbent ingredients, such as clay.
We conducted hours of research to find the best blackhead masks on the market, evaluating each pick on their active ingredients and reviews from real-world testers. After speaking with experts and considering dozens of formulas, we landed on these standout options.
Best Overall
GLAMGLOW SUPERMUD Charcoal Instant Clearing Treatment Mask
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Ulta
Exfoliating
Clears pores
Suitable for all skin types
Can cause a burning sensation if left on too long
Who else recommends it? Glamour also picked GlamGlow Supermud.
What do buyers say? 85% of 900+ Nordstrom reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
Our number one pick is none other than GlamGlow Supermud. This iconic all-in-one facial pulls out all the stops to clear your pores. We're talking BHA all-star salicylic acid, AHA superhero lactic acid, plus activated charcoal and kaolin.
"Masks containing kaolin clay are good choices for oily skin," notes Dr. Wolinsky. She explains that these absorbent ingredients decrease excess oil, which can lead to clearer skin and reduce the appearance of pores. But this blackhead-clearing treatment isn't just for the oily-skinned set.
It's gentle on sensitive skin and can be used to target only the T-zone if you have otherwise dry (combination) skin. Thanks to GlamGlow's Pore-Matrix technology, you'll be able to see little dots where it's extracting gunk from your pores. We also like that you can use Supermud as a spot treatment for pimples.
Price at time of publish: $25
Key Ingredients: Kaolin, charcoal, lactic acid, salicylic acid | Amount: 0.5 ounces, 3.5 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Budget
Bioré Instant Warming Clay Charcoal Face Mask
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Amazon
Budget-friendly
Works in one minute
Single-serving packets
Contains fragrance
OG blackhead-clearing brand Bioré is an excellent choice for babes on a budget. This clay and charcoal mask comes in single-serving packets, warms on contact with your skin, and gets the job done in a minute flat.
Price at time of publish: $7
Key Ingredients: Kaolin, charcoal | Amount: 0.25 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
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Byrdie / Bianca Lambert
What Our Testers Say
"As I’ve gotten older, I have steered away from drugstore products because of my negative experiences with them in my mid-twenties as I was trying to treat my onset of adult acne. Anything I tried would dry my skin out and make matters worse, but I am happy to report that Bioré’s warming mask is on my list of drugstore dos." —Bianca Lambert, Product Tester
Best Drugstore
Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay
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Amazon
Budget-friendly
Contains only one ingredient
Multi-use product
Can be messy
Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay has a well-deserved following. This single-ingredient drugstore icon contains 100 percent bentonite clay—nothing more, nothing less—to soak up the oil that's causing blackheads.
Price at time of publish: $15
Key Ingredients: Bentonite clay | Amount: 16 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
What Our Testers Say
"I can't be sure how long this tub of clay will last me, but I would imagine I could get at least 15 masks out of it, which makes each treatment less than a dollar. You can't get more budget-friendly than that—especially for an all-natural DIY treatment that really works." —Bianca Lambert, Product Tester
Best Splurge
Kypris Deep Forest Clay Detoxifying Mask + Exfoliant
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Amazon
Dissolves sebum
Soothing
Can be drying
If you're super-serious about battling blackheads, it might be worth splurging on an Elsa-esque tub of Kypris Deep Forest Clay. Strongly recommended by licensed esthetician Dana Murray of Babe + Beauty, this brilliant mask calls on clay, oceanic salt, and botanical exfoliants to dissolve sebum, plus algae to soothe inflammation.
Price at time of publish: $105
Key Ingredients: Clay, oceanic salt, algae, botanical exfoliants | Amount: 1.55 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best BHA
Herbivore Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
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Sephora
Esthetician-approved
Exfoliating
Soothing
Reviewers note it has a strong smell
"Hands down, salicylic acid (aka BHA) is the most effective," says Murray. That's why she loves Herbivore's Blue Tansy Mask. This blackhead treatment gets its BHAs from white willow bark and goes above and beyond with fruit enzymes for gentle exfoliation and soothing aloe for good measure.
Price at time of publish: $50
Key Ingredients: White willow bark (BHA), fruit enzymes, blue tansy oil, aloe | Amount: 2 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best AHA
Then I Met You Rosé Resurfacing Facial Mask
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Then I Met You
Exfoliating
Dissolves sebum
Improves skin texture
Might be too harsh for sensitive skin types
From Soko Glam founder Charlotte Cho, Then I Met You Rosé Resurfacing Mask is a game-changer for those with blackheads. Containing 6 percent AHAs, including glycolic and lactic acid, this exfoliating tincture does an excellent job of clearing congested pores.
Price at time of publish: $56
Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, resveratrol, rose petals | Amount: 1.76 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best AHA and BHA Combo
Dr. Brandt Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner Purifying Mask
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Sephora
Cooling
Exfoliating
Absorbs oil
Reviewers note it has a strong smell
What's more powerful than both AHA and BHA? Them combined, of course. This exfoliating mask works to unclog blackheads and shrink the appearance of pores by using salicylic acid and glycolic acid together. After five to ten minutes of use, you'll be able to notice skin that looks balanced and smooth.
Price at time of publish: $44
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, glycolic acid, mineral powder | Amount: 1 ounce | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Clay
Innisfree Pore Clearing Clay Mask 2X
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Sephora
Budget-friendly
Exfoliating
Absorbs oil
Leaves slight residue
Murray is also a fan of clay masks for blackheads, like Innisfree's Pore Clearing formula. This affordable treatment contains exfoliating lactic acid and actual volcanic lava clusters to absorb oil and minimize the appearance of pores. It's no wonder former Byrdie editorial director Faith Xue says she can't get over how much gunk this mask removes from her pores.
Price at time of publish: $15
Key Ingredients: Volcanic lava, lactic acid | Amount: 3.38 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
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Byrdie / Bianca Lambert
What Our Testers Say
"The clay brought my whiteheads up and soaked up the excess oil from my t-zone and cheek areas on the first use." — Bianca Lambert, Product Tester
Best Peel-Off
No B.S. Charcoal Detox Peel-Off Mask
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Courtesy of Macy's
Absorbs oil
Pain-free removal
Fragrance-free
Not as effective on oily skin
Prominent blackheads can give you a real hankering for a peel-off mask. If that's your cup of tea, we recommend this charcoal-infused option from No B.S. In addition to absorbing oil, it moisturizes with squalane for an all-around balanced complexion. We also like that removing it is pain-free.
Price at time of publish: $45
Key Ingredients: Charcoal, glycerin, squalane | Amount: 3 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Hydrating
Buttah Charcoal Detox Mask
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Amazon
Detoxes and decongests pores without drying out the skin
Contains nourishing plant-based ingredients
Clean formula
Small amount of product
Blackhead fighting treatments, particularly clay and charcoal masks, can sometimes be too potent and end up drying out the skin, leaving you with a dull and lackluster complexion. That's why we love this ultra-gentle charcoal-powered mask from Buttah. It not only purifies and clears congested pores, but it also leaves skin noticeably softer, smoother, and more hydrated, thanks to the addition of argan oil, shea butter, and sodium hyaluronate.
Price at time of publish: $24
Key Ingredients: Charcoal, bentonite and kaolin clays, argan oil, shea butter, sodium hyaluronate | Amount: 1 ounce | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Oily Skin
Beneath Your Mask Illuminate Clarifying Face Mask
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Courtesy of Beneath Your Mask
Award-winning formula
Absorbs oil
Balances complexion
Has to be left on for a long time
Oily skin? Beneath Your Mask has you covered. The brand's Illuminate Clarifying Face Mask contains absorbent clay, antimicrobial honey, vitamin-rich coconut milk, and soothing aloe vera. In other words, this award-winning treatment goes above and beyond to balance oily complexions. King explains, "Areas with larger pores and more oil production are more likely to have blackheads. Those who are genetically determined to have oily and acne-prone skin will be more likely to have blackheads."
Price at time of publish: $70
Key Ingredients: Clay, honey, coconut milk, aloe | Amount: 3.4 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Sensitive Skin
Golde Papaya Bright Face Mask
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Gently exfoliates
Soothing
Natural formula
Small amount
Dr. King is a fan of fruit enzymes for blackheads. With this in mind, we suggest Golde Papaya Bright for sensitive skin. The ultra-gentle yet effective exfoliants work hard to clear clogged pores, while marshmallow root extract calms inflammation.
Price at time of publish: $34
Key Ingredients: Fruit enzymes, sea buckthorn, marshmallow root extract | Amount: 1 ounce | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Acne-Prone Skin
Peter Thomas Roth Therapeutic Sulfur Acne Treatment Mask
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Amazon
Prevents breakouts
Absorbs oil
Soothing
Contains fragrance
To keep both blackheads and breakouts at bay, your best bet is the Peter Thomas Roth Sulfur Mask. In addition to sulfur, it uses kaolin clay to absorb oil and aloe to hydrate and calm the skin.
Price at time of publish: $52
Key Ingredients: Sulfur, kaolin, aloe | Amount: 5 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best for All Skin Types
Caudalie Vinergetic C Instant Detox Mask
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Amazon
Clears pores
Exfoliating
Suitable for all skin types
Contains alcohol
Celebrity cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank, CMO and founder of PFRANKMD and the author of "The Pro-Aging Playbook," stands behind Caudalie Vinergetic C. "This will extract and dry up what is clogged in the skin," he tells Byrdie. "Make sure you don't put this on dry or dehydrated skin and moisturize after."
Price at time of publish: $40
Key Ingredients: Bentonite, fruit enzymes, glycerin, lactic acid | Amount: 2.5 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Preventative
Dr. Dennis Gross DRx Blemish Solutions Clarifying Mask
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Amazon
Absorbs oil
Not overly drying
Prevents breakouts
Small amount
The best defense against blackheads is preventing your pores from clogging in the first place. With this in mind, the Dr. Dennis Gross Clarifying Mask blends colloidal sulfur, kaolin, and bentonite clay to absorb excess oil without overdrying the skin.
Price at time of publish: $29
Key Ingredients: Colloidal sulfur, kaolin, bentonite clay | Amount: 1 ounce | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best K-Beauty
Skinfood Egg White Pore Foam
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Amazon
Budget-friendly
Exfoliating
Dissolves sebum
Contains fragrance
Our favorite K-beauty blackhead treatment is Skinfood's Egg White Pore Mask. In addition to egg whites, it's formulated with lactic acid and niacinamide to keep sebum in check and minimize the appearance of pores.
Price at time of publish: $10
Key Ingredients: Egg whites, lactic acid, niacinamide | Amount: 3.52 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Multi-Use
Estée Lauder Perfectly Clean Multi-Action Foam Cleanser/Purifying Mask
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Ulta
Multi-use product
Absorbs oil
Soothing
Contains fragrance
Believe it or not, even Estée Lauder's target market deals with blackheads now and then. The brand's Perfectly Clean mask-cleanser hybrid can be used as a three-minute mask or a daily clarifying face wash. Either way, you can count on unclogged pores and a healthy-looking complexion.
Price at time of publish: $30
Key Ingredients: Myristic acid, glycerin, caffeine, algae | Amount: 5 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Congested Skin
Tata Harper Purifying Mask
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SpaceNK
Fights free radicals
Natural ingredients
Calms irritated skin
May be too drying for already dry skin
Made with natural fruit enzymes and vegetable extracts, this detoxifying mask is great if your skin is feeling overall congested and in need of a good deep clean. It exfoliates to loosen blackheads and clogged pores for skin that looks revitalized and feels fresh.
Price at time of publish: $75
Key Ingredients: Star aster, white clay, papaya enzymes | Amount: 1 ounce | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Final Verdict
The best blackhead mask overall is GlamGlow Supermud. Containing AHAs, BHAs, charcoal, and kaolin, this effective treatment covers all the bases to clear pores. For something a little easier on your bank account, go with Bioré Charcoal Instant Warming Clay Mask, an oil-absorbing solution that gets the job done in 60 seconds.
Meet the Expert
- Claire Wolinsky, MD, a New York dermatologist specializing in facial rejuvenation.
- Hadley King, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC.
- Dana Murray is a licensed esthetician at Babe + Beauty.
- Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank is a celebrity cosmetic dermatologist, the CMO and founder of PFRANKMD, and the author of "The Pro-Aging Playbook."
Hayag suggests testing a blackhead mask on a small patch of skin before using one for the first time. And “if you have sensitive skin, avoid masks with fragrances, dyes, parabens, and other chemicals that may cause a reaction,” she says.
What to Look For When Choosing a Mask to Treat Blackheads
Exfoliating Ingredients
The dermatologists we interviewed all said exfoliating ingredients are the best defense against blackheads. Beta-hydroxy superstar salicylic acid came up the most, as it breaks down excess oil and dissolves dead skin cells. "Glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid that's derived from sugarcane, also helps release and dissolve dead skin cells and debris on the surface, clearing up blocked pores and blackheads," adds Dr. Frank.
You'll also find formulas that call on plant-derived enzymes to clear pores. "Fruit enzymes offer a gentle option for exfoliation. [They're] particularly great for those with sensitive skin who cannot tolerate salicylic acid," notes Dr. King.
Absorbent Ingredients
Another key component of blackhead masks is ingredients that absorb oil and sebum, like sulfur, charcoal, and different types of clay. For instance, as Dr. Wolinsky explains, kaolin clay helps decrease excess oil to prevent blackheads and minimize the appearance of pores.
Application
You'll also want to consider the application. Since blackhead masks absorb oil, most are supposed to be rinsed off after a short period (usually anywhere from one minute to 20 minutes) to avoid drying out the skin. There are also sheet masks and peel-off options, as well as versatile mask-cleanser hybrids.
Why Trust Byrdie
Theresa Holland is a skincare aficionado and commerce beauty writer. For this article, she interviewed five dermatologists and a licensed esthetician for product recommendations and insight into ingredients and formulations. She read through reviews, pored over specs, and considered dozens of products from a wide range of brands before making her final selections. From this list, Theresa is personally fond of GlamGlow, Then I Met You, Dr. Dennis Gross, and Peter Thomas Roth.
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