Charcoal face masks give the skin a deep clean while also nourishing it with all kinds of wonderful skin actives. While we’re skeptical of claims that charcoal is magically detoxifying, we still know that it is one of the best ingredients for clarifying the skin.
We’ve gathered the best charcoal masks in this article for you, and we also explain what makes them so great, so you can find the one that’ll suit your skin and budget. Perfect for removing blackheads, intensely cleansing the skin and mattifying it, these are the best charcoal masks many skincare enthusiasts and beauty bloggers swear by!
1. Glamglow Supermud Activated Charcoal Treatment
You can always trust Glamglow to make the best charcoal masks. Their masks are infused with both charcoal and clay to fully absorb excess oils and impurities from the skin. This one also includes skin-resurfacing mandelic and salicylic acids, so it doubles as an exfoliant. This is one of the best charcoal face masks for oily skin, as well as for treating breakouts and hyperpigmentation. You can buy it from Sephora.
2. Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask
This is a gentle and simple take on charcoal face masks with clay. It contains a mix of wonderful skin-clarifying ingredients, and no essential oils or fragrances. It will gently mattify the skin and clear the pores, so it’s excellent for those with oily or clogged skin, even if it can get a little sensitive sometimes. It is available for sale at Sephora.
3. Boscia Luminizing Black Charcoal Mask
So this mask might be a little gimmicky but it’s also a lot of fun! Masking is about self-care, and the pleasure you get from using a mask should definitely be part of the equation. This mask dries to a latex-like consistency, so you peel it off after you’ve applied it.
This is one of the few charcoal face masks I would recommend even for those with normal and combination skin, since it is not super mattifying. Instead, it softens the skin and helps to physically remove sebaceous filaments. You can find it at Sephora.
4. Dermalogica Charcoal Rescue Masque
This is one of the best charcoal face masks if your skin does well with a lot of actives. In addition to the absorbent ingredients, it also contains niacinamide, sulfur, and witch hazel to control oils, tighten the pores, and prevent acne. This mask is not suitable for sensitive skin, but it’d be great for those with very oily skin, even if it’s acne-prone. Order this mask online from Dermstore.
5. Feeling Beautiful Charcoal & Black Sugar Facial Polishing Mask
This is a two-in-one charcoal face mask and scrub to get your skin totally clarified, matte, and exfoliated. This formula includes vitamin-rich botanical extracts, but it’s all water based so it might leave your skin feeling a little tight. All in all, it’s a great time saver for those with oily skin that isn’t too sensitive. It can be purchased at Ulta.
6. Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Charcoal Mask
You can always trust Clinique to make great, fragrance-free options. This is one of the best charcoal masks for those with very oily skin that is still on the sensitive side. This mask does not play around, as it is extremely mattifying and gives a thorough deep cleanse. This mask is available for sale at Sephora.
7. One Love Organics Love + Charcoal Masque
This is a moisturizing take on charcoal face masks that can work even for those with combination skin that leans towards dry! It loads the skin with moisture from aloe vera and sunflower oil, but it also draws out impurities with charcoal and rose clay, and calms down breakouts and inflammation with white willow bark extract. This all-natural mask is sold online via Dermstore.
8. Arcona Magic Black Ice Exfoliating Mask
This is another one of the best charcoal masks that also exfoliate the skin! It contains a blend of clays and charcoal to purify the skin, along with refreshing natural extracts and essential oils, and just a hint of grape seed oil to moisturize. It is best for those with oily skin that is not sensitive or suffering from severe acne. You can buy this mask from Nordstrom.
9. Yes To Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Mud Mask
Not all great charcoal face masks are expensive, as illustrated by this wonderful product from Yes To. It contains anti-acne superstar ingredient salicylic acid along with deep-cleansing charcoal and kaolin clay. It doesn’t leave the skin feeling too dry, since it also contains some conditioning botanical extracts. It’s a suitable mask for those with oily and combination-oily skin. Pick it up at Ulta!
10. PCA Skin Detoxifying Charcoal Mask
This is another one of the best charcoal face masks for those with oily yet sensitive skin, since it contains no-frill ingredients along with some lovely hydrators and anti-inflammatories. To mattify the skin and unclog the pores, the blend includes kaolin, charcoal, and magnesium aluminum silicate, while it nourishes it with glycerin and soothes it with bisabolol. This mask is available for sale at Nordstrom.
11. The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask
This is a skin-stimulating mask that can help mattify the skin while also loading it up with some beneficial oils. It gets the pores deep cleansed with the help of a lovely blend of clays and charcoal, and leaves the skin feeling tight yet clean, since it does contain some alcohol. It is best for those with oily yet non-sensitive skin. If you’d like to try this mask, you can find it at Ulta.
12. MAC Mineralize Reset & Revive Charcoal Mask
Even MAC couldn’t help making a charcoal face mask, since it really is a great way of getting a deep cleanse. It contains bamboo charcoal as well as kaolin clay to pull impurities from the skin and to eliminate blackheads. It comes in a convenient squeeze tube, and is best for those whose skin leans towards oily. This mask can be bought at Saks Fifth Avenue.
13. L’Oréal Detox & Brighten Clay Mask
This is the creamiest of the best charcoal masks, and it doesn’t dry down. It still manages to give the skin a very thorough cleansing, and it does mattify quite a bit so it is best for those with oily skin. It contains charcoal along with a few different clays, and it leaves the skin feeling clean yet soft. This mask can be purchased online through Ulta.
Photos via @itsstephtoms, Sephora, Nordstrom