Masks That Left Our Testers’ Skin Clear of Blackheads After 400 Hours of Testing (2024)

TL;DR

Our Top Picks

Key Ingredients: Sulfur (3.0%), kaolin, glycerin | Amount: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This mask isn’t just a great product; it’s a whole skincare experience unto itself. Smooth the creamy formula over your face, and a few moments later, you’ll feel it start to fizz. Our tester likened the mask to a fun “mini science experiment,” but the sensation also serves a purpose; it opens up pores, helping its star ingredients—oil-absorbing kaolin clay and acne-fighting sulfur—tackle stubborn blackheads.

Our tester appreciated how effective yet gentle this mask was. There was no tightness or irritation, even when combined with a potent retinol. In fact, it helped clear dry, flaky spots instead of exacerbating them. Best of all, the blackhead clusters around her nose kept improving after each use. The mask does have a little whiff of sulfur that might bother some users, but it doesn’t last long.

Bianca, tester with combination skin: “Not only was this fun to use, but as I used it weekly, I could see the congestion in my nose getting better and better.”

Key Ingredients: 3.5% benzoyl peroxide, kaolin, and bentonite clays | Amount: 4.2 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Who doesn’t love a two-in-one product when it works well? This pore-clearing, budget-friendly pick from Neutrogena can be used as a daily cleansing face wash or left to sit on the skin like a mask when you need a deeper treatment. Our tester applied a thin layer and waited until it dried (roughly five minutes), savoring the slightly tingly sensation while it worked its magic. After removal—which admittedly took a while; it’s a clay mask, after all—her pores felt totally cleaned out. Miraculously, though, it wasn’t overly drying or irritating on her skin. Improvements were noticeable after around three uses, according to our tester—especially on small blackhead flare-ups.

Keyaira, tester with combination skin: “This formula was powerful without disturbing my skin barrier. I expected my skin to feel tighter due to the clay in the ingredients, but nothing cracked or peeled.”

Key Ingredients: Charcoal powder, glycerin, bentonite, kaolin, argan oil, shea butter | Amount: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Sensitive skin and products with “detox” on the label aren’t always the best of friends, but in the case of this detoxifying mask, it’s a match made in heaven. The formula balances powerhouse clarifying ingredients such as charcoal, bentonite clay, and kaolin clay with hydrating, fatty acid-rich argan oil and shea butter. Our tester swears it felt super gentle from the first application, and the formula is so light she even forgot she had a mask on. After rinsing, it didn’t leave her skin stripped or irritated, and the results were immediately evident: “slighter clearer, slightly better” skin from the very first try. The only downside is that the jar doesn’t come with a tiny scoop for easy and hygienic application.

Samantha, tester with combination skin: “I like that this product kept its promise to be gentle on my skin. My skin can be quite sensitive, and although I know that charcoal is a powerful detoxifier, it didn't dehydrate my skin.”

Key Ingredients: Pink clay, caffeine, grape extract | Amount: 1.18, 2.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

When you’re experiencing a breakout, you want a formula that works fast. Enter Caudalie’s Pore Minimizing Instant Detox Mask, which our tester says cleared her skin almost immediately—particularly the blackhead-prone T-zone and nose areas. The mask helped reduce sebum and shrink her pores, thanks to the inclusion of clarifying pink clay—a big plus since clogs can actually enlarge pores over time.

A heads up for those with sensitive skin: This formula can feel very tingly when applied. However, the post-rinse skin sensation is pleasantly cool and refreshing—if a little tighter and dryer than usual.

Náosha, tester with oily/sensitive skin: “The mask was extremely effective at removing blackheads and cleaning my pores. I experienced a lot of clogged pores and blackheads around my nose and T-zone area, and after a few usages, my skin cleared up almost immediately.”

Key Ingredients: Bamboo charcoal, aloe barbadensis extract, hamamelis virginiana extract| Amount: 1, 4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Compared with thicker clay-based masks, this charcoal-infused formula is relatively mess-free. It also has another big benefit: It dries around dirt and debris in your pores and lifts blackheads cleanly away as you peel it off. What could be more satisfying?

Our tester loved the feel of this mask. He says it went on like an aloe vera gel (one of the main ingredients) and created a refreshing cooling sensation like a eucalyptus towel at a fancy gym or spa. The formula took 20 minutes to dry completely, and once it was ready to be removed, the peeling part was simple and irritation-free. Our tester raved about how well the mask worked on both blackheads and sebaceous filaments (the tube-like structures in the walls of your pores that look similar to blackheads). His pores even looked smaller afterward.

Alfredo, tester with combination skin: “This mask was super effective at removing blackheads and sebaceous filaments! My pores saw a visible improvement, and they looked smaller. I used this mask every week and didn't experience any irritation.”

Key Ingredients: Volcanic ash clusters, lactic acid | Amount: 3.38 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If blackheads are caused by dirt, sebum, and dead skin cells plugging up pores, a thorough exfoliation can help. This mask pulls double duty with an AHA chemical exfoliant (lactic acid) and physical exfoliants (volcanic ash clusters and walnut powder), unclogging pores and encouraging the skin’s renewal process to drastically reduce blackhead breakouts.

The formula cools on contact and is ready to wash off after around 10 minutes. Following the first use, his skin was immediately less oily. Three to four uses later, blackheads were reduced, and his pores diminished. He also appreciated the gentle exfoliation of the volcanic ash, which left his complexion refreshed and deeply purified.

Mikey, tester with combination skin: “I loved how this product allowed my skin to feel refreshed and deeply purified after applications. The mask itself has tiny volcanic clusters in it as well, which acted almost as a gentle exfoliant on my face, too.”

Key Ingredients: Amazonian white clay, aloe, bentonite clay | Amount: 0.95, 4.2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If your skin tends to be oily, grease-absorbing clay masks offer a tried and true solution. This Kiehl’s option blends bentonite and Amazonian white clays to draw out pore-plugging sebum and dirt, leaving the skin squeaky clean. Our tester loved how smoothly the formula applied, gliding over her complexion like a thick cream and drying with a slight tingling sensation. After washing it off, her skin felt a little tight, as you’d expect from a clay mask, but a hydrating serum helped combat any mild dryness she experienced. Our tester loved how clean and refreshed her skin felt afterward and noted that using the mask once a week for three weeks was enough to see a big improvement in blackheads.

Virginia, tester with oily/normal skin: “After one use, I noticed the oil reduction, and after three or four uses, I began noticing the reduction in the appearance of blackheads and pores on my skin.”

Key Ingredients: Solomon's seal powder, ginseng root extract, glycerin | Amount: 4.05 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Enlarged pores, whether dotted with blackheads or not, can create the impression of a less even complexion. This peel-off mask does an impressive job of cleaning and clarifying each pore using antioxidant-rich ginseng and Solomon's seal powder (an alternative to vitamin C), creating a smooth and even finish.

The sticky honey-like formula isn’t the easiest to spread, according to our tester, but once on, it felt cool and revitalizing. After the mask had dried (around 15 minutes, depending on how thick she slathered it on), the whole thing peeled off in one go, and she could see signs of dirt and dead skin cells trapped in it. Her blackheads were reduced after five uses, and her pores looked lighter and smaller around her nose and forehead. Overall, the result was smooth, polished, and glowy skin with no irritation—a big plus for our sensitive-skinned tester.

Ashley, tester with dry/sensitive skin: “I loved the visible difference that was apparent after building this product into my routine. My pores look lighter and smaller and overall, it added a glow to my skin that radiates.”

Key Ingredients: Star aster, white clay, papaya enzymes | Amount: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re looking for a new purifying mask that’s tough on blackhead problem areas and feels like a moment of self-care, this one from Tata Harper is a winner. Our tester called this mask, which uses white clay to purge pores and papaya enzyme to shrink them, a “lovely sensorial experience.” Once applied, the thick, creamy formula feels cool and tingly and takes about 20 minutes to dry solid. It’s not the easiest to remove but comes with an ultrasoft washcloth to help the process.

Immediately after using it, our tester said her skin was smooth, tight, and a little pink. Considering that, she recommends using this mask at bedtime—perhaps during a relaxing soak in the tub. Although it took a few uses to see results, she noticed her complexion looked more even, and her pores appeared tighter with regular use.

Lauren, tester with sensitive/combination skin: “It helped me even out my skin and tightened my pores until I could book a proper end-of-summer facial. It's a REALLY good mask. I was not obsessed after the first use, but as I kept using it, I fell in love.”

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, kaolin, charcoal powder, 4-t-butylcyclohexanol | Amount: 1.69, 3.38 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Dermatologists call blackheads a “grade one” form of acne—the mildest kind. If you also suffer from moderate or severe acne, add this powerful little mask from The Ordinary to your shopping cart. It’s formulated with kaolin clay and charcoal powder to sop up excess oil. Meanwhile, salicylic acid helps slough off dead skin cells that cause congestion and leave skin looking lackluster.

This no-fuss formula dries in 10-15 seconds flat, which our tester says made it difficult to apply evenly and thoroughly (“I think it works much better as a spot or a T-zone treatment product”). There was no tingling or cooling sensation, and the mask was ready to be removed after 10 minutes or less, making it a good option for a streamlined routine. The formula is super gentle and never left our tester’s skin tight or stripped. Consistency is key with this mask; after using it three to five times in 10 days, it noticeably reduced his breakouts and refined the appearance of his pores.

Saleam, tester with combination skin: “This mask is very effective with consistent use over a long-term period. It treats breakouts, blackheads, and the appearance of pores.”

Key Ingredients: Fruit enzymes, lactic acid, salicylic acid, aloe vera, honey, vitamin E | Amount: 0.5, 2, 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Okay, this isn’t technically a mask, per se, but it is meant to be left on for two minutes before rinsing, and considering how well it performed, we had to recommend it. It unclogged pores and buffed off dead skin cells with aplomb. (Our tester could actually feel the dead skin coming off; talk about satisfying.) Credit its dual-form of exfoliation; silica physically exfoliates, while AHAs and BHAs do so chemically.

Madelaine, tester with combination/oily skin: “My skin is definitely more glowy since using this product. I've caught myself looking in the mirror a few times over the past few weeks thinking that my skin looks more radiant.”

Key Ingredients: Turmeric extract, mineral power, aspen bark | Amount: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We were beyond impressed with how clear and decongested our pores looked after using this mask—just once. While it’s called a mask, it has a slightly gritty, scrub-like texture; it can also be used as a scrub, if you prefer, rather than a leave-on mask. Either way, the combo of exfoliating ingredients cleans out pores and leaves skin super soft and smooth (and perfectly prepped for makeup).

FAQ

• Do blackhead masks work?

  Face masks that contain folliculotropic ingredients (ones that are drawn down into the hair follicle), such as salicylic acid, can be effective in managing and minimizing blackheads, says Dr. Melanie Palm, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Art of Skin MD in San Diego, California. However, peel-off formulas can be less so; the majority don’t pull out true blackheads but rather just small collections of oil and dead skin cells, and can be irritating, she says. If you do want to use a peel-off blackhead mask, “opt for a gentler formula that peels off easily and doesn’t require a lot of resistance,” she suggests.

• Are blackhead masks safe for acne?

  Dr. Palm advises against using peel-off blackhead removing masks if you have an active breakout. “You risk ripping or damaging skin that is already irritated,” she explains. That said, gentler exfoliating masks can be beneficial, particularly for helping with acne scarring. Still, she says it’s best not to use them while you’re actively breaking out.

• How often can you use blackhead masks?

  “While everyone’s skin care needs are different, I generally wouldn’t use a peel-off blackhead mask more than once per week,” says Dr. Palm. “Don’t exfoliate before or after using the mask, as you’ll already get exfoliating benefits from the mask itself.” When in doubt, follow the directions on your particular blackhead mask.