Kaolin is the kind of ingredient that is also immediately satisfying. It might not be as impressive in the longer term as a serum with powerful actives, but a kaolin clay mask will definitely make you feel great immediately after you use it because it will make your skin look and feel instantly fresher. It’s a wonderful pick-me-up before special events or after a long day when you need a bit of self-care.
In this article, we’ve selected the best kaolin clay masks and skincare products you can try, no matter your skin type or budget. Whether you are looking for the best kaolin clay mask or want to add this ingredient to your routine in a different manner, here you have 23 of the best products to give a try!
1. The Inkey List Kaolin Mask
This little kaolin clay mask is as simple as can be. It comes in a hygienic tube and is made out of kaolin clay that is combined with potent skin soothers and moisturizers like sunflower oil, centella asiatica extract, and glycerin. This mask will simultaneously deep cleanse your skin while also nourishing it. It’s appropriate for all skin types, including dry and sensitive. Buy it at Sephora!
2. Proactiv Skin Purifying Mask
This kaolin clay mask exemplifies the way in which Proactiv really stepped up their game in recent years. It is an acne-fighting mask that features kaolin to mattify, along with acne-shrinking sulfur and bacteria-busting tea tree oil. It leaves the skin feeling clean and purified, and can even double as an overnight spot treatment. It’s good for anyone dealing with breakouts. It is available at Ulta.
3. Origins By All Greens Foaming Deep Cleansing Mask
This gorgeous deep cleansing kaolin clay mask qualifies as both skin care and entertainment. This mask is made with foaming agents that start to bubble after it’s applied, which makes for a unique experience. These surfactants also mean that this mask doubles as a facial cleanser, with a lot of people loving it as a second step after doing an oil cleanse. It also includes a whole load of leafy green extracts that give a nice antioxidant boost. It is best for those with combination or oily skin. Find it at Sephora!
4. Ren Clean Skincare ClearCalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser
This gentle, mattifying cleanser relies on kaolin clay to do the bulk of the work, so it is also ideal as a second cleanse. It helps to remove excess oils from the skin, and also has ingredients like willow bark extract and zinc gluconate to target acne and redness. It can work for all skin types but is ideal for those with oilier skin. You can get it at Walmart.
5. This Works Evening Detox Clay Mask
This fragrant green mask will make your skin feel energized. It is made with menthol, which has a cooling and tingling effect that gets the blood flowing, but may not work for those with sensitive skin. Beyond that, it contains a variety of skin-softening plant extracts and has an exfoliating effect. It comes in a unique squeeze dispenser with a built-in brush for an even application. Order it from Net-a-Porter!
6. Cinq Mondes Kaolin and Herbs Mask
Made with a blend of kaolin as well as other clays, this mask will give your skin a deep cleanse and pull all kinds of impurities out of the pores. The clay content is balanced out by quite a few hydrators and rejuvenating plant extracts. Note that it is also rich in essentials oils, so will not work for easily aggravated skin. It is sold online via Dermstore.
7. Glamglow SUPERMUD Activated Charcoal Treatment Mask
Glamglow always deserves a mention when the conversation is about clay masks. This dark black mask simultaneously exfoliates and mattifies, because it contains a mixture of clays, purifying charcoal, and a whole range of resurfacing acids. This mask is fairly hardcore and should only be applied to tolerant skin. Pick it up from Sephora!
8. Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Sleeping Mask
This creamy overnight mask would work for all skin types but will be particularly cherished by those feeling dry and dehydrated. Kaolin shows up at the end of the formula, to keep it from too greasy and to absorb some oils throughout the night. However, the real stars are the avocado extract, polyhydroxy acid, and manuka honey, which help to protect, soften and nourish the skin. You can buy it from Sephora.
9. Clinique City Block Purifying Charcoal Clay Mask + Scrub
This two-in-one mask and scrub will make your skin feel oh-so-soft. It combines kaolin clay with charcoal for that deep pore cleansing effect, and it includes a high amount of hydrators to counter the drying effects of those ingredients. It does contain light abrasive pieces that will help dislodge dead skin cells. It’s ideal for weekly use, but should be avoided by those with broken or irritated skin. It is available at Walmart.
10. Milk Makeup Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Hydrating Face Mask
This gentle, soothing mask is a very unique treatment. It comes in the form of a solid stick that can be rolled up and simply rubbed over the skin. Beyond that, it is just very nourishing because it is made of a mixture of kaolin clay, aloe vera, and hemp oil. It should work for all skin types, to help the skin feel cleaner and softer but not dry or tight. Get it from Sephora!
11. Dermalogica Dermal Clay Cleanser
This is another product that utilizes a blend of oil and clay to great benefit. This incredible kaolin clay cleanser is infused with sunflower oil to break down makeup and other impurities, while the clay acts as a counterbalance that absorbs excess oils from the skin and helps to unclog pores. It does contain a touch of menthol, which has a polarizing tingling effect, but it also contains skin soothers like mallow extract. You can find it at Nordstrom.
12. Caudalie Purifying Mask
This is another gentler, albeit fragranced variation on kaolin clay masks. It is almost formulated like a moisturizer and kaolin blend, with hydrators and antioxidant-rich oils working together to purify the skin without drying it out. It is a softening mask that will also help momentarily tighten the skin. Purchase it at Sephora!
13. Eve Lom Rescue Mask
This gorgeous mask exfoliates and mattifies the skin at the same time while also loading it with soothing, humectant honey and glycerin. This kaolin clay mask has almond seed meal to remove dead skin gently, but it is otherwise fragrance-free so should work for all skin types as long as they can tolerate some physical exfoliation. For best results, use it in the shower. This mask is sold at Sephora.
14. TonyMoly Painting Therapy Pack Sebum Control Black Color Clay
This wonderful mask gives a very quick skin transformation that is just perfect for days when your skin can best be described as “blah.” It contains kaolin clay, bentonite clay and charcoal to help tighten and unclog pores, along with glycerin and MCT oil to prevent dryness. It is very gentle, with many fans reporting that it helps to reduce redness and that is suitable for sensitive skin. Grab it from Ulta!
15. Sanitas Skincare Purifying Clay Cleanser
This super gentle clay cleanser soaks up oils, tightens pores, and helps prevent acne. It’s ideal for oily and acne-prone skin and should be gentle enough even for those with some sensitivity. In this cleanser, kaolin and other clays were combined with gentle, non-sulfate surfactants to break down and remove excess oils from the skin. There is also anti-bacterial tea tree oil to fight acne. Order it online from Dermstore!
16. Erno Laszlo Pore Cleansing Clay Mask
This deep cleansing mask offers an invigorating kaolin clay formulation, with energizing ginger and citrus essential oils. Despite the essential oils, it is actually fairly gentle, with a variety of hydrating humectants offsetting the purifying clays. It is best for combination and dry skin. Find it at Nordstrom!
17. First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Acne Clearing Pads with White Clay
These powerful pads make for a phenomenal regular exfoliant and acne treatment for those dealing with both breakouts and oily skin. They have a bit of kaolin clay to absorb oils, as well as 2% salicylic acid to exfoliate within the pore and keep the skin clear. The formula is strong but gentle, with soothing willow bark extract and antibacterial tea tree oil. Pick them up at Walmart!
18. Boscia Charcoal Pore Pudding Intensive Wash-Off Treatment
This black and white mask is pretty darn cool to use. It feels very luxurious going on the skin, and it never dries down completely so it won’t leave your skin feeling uncomfortably tight. While the layers of white and black are a little gimmicky, the overall clay and charcoal blend is quite nice, helping to draw impurities deep from within the skin. It should work for most skin types. Order it from Sephora!
19. Murad Clarifying Mask
This is another fabulous anti-acne treatment with kaolin clay that is worth trying! This mask contains sulfur, known for its bacteria-inhibiting properties, along with a touch of salicylic acid to aid with pore decongestion. Zinc helps keep the skin calm while licorice root extract prevents pigmentation and irritation. It is available at Walmart.
20. Teami Blends Green Tea Blend Detox Mask
This is one of the best kaolin clay masks to try if your oily skin tends to be sensitive. It includes some super soothing ingredients like green tea and lemongrass extracts, but still totally mattifies thanks to both bentonite and kaolin clays. It will leave your skin fresh, clean, and soft. Buy it from Ulta!
21. RéVive Purifying Clay Mask
All skin types will benefit from this gorgeous mask. It is loaded with kaolin clay, but there was also room left in there for hydrating glycerin. There is also some zinc oxide to help calm down breakouts, and vitamin E to give antioxidant protection. Get it through Net-a-Porter!
22. Peter Thomas Roth Hungarian Thermal Water Mineral-Rich Atomic Heat Mask
This mineral-enriched mask warms up with a massage, giving an invigorating lift to the face. It is rich and creamy, with shea butter loading the skin up with antioxidants and ensuring thorough moisturization. Zeolite and kaolin clay ensure that there is still some cleansing action. Find it at Walmart!
23. Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Mask
This super gentle kaolin clay face mask will work for all skin types, including dry and sensitive skin. It contains a ton of sweet almond oil, which totally mitigates the drying effects of the clay but without stopping it from deep cleansing the skin. The mask also contains chamomile to target redness, and probiotic extracts to help strengthen the skin microbiome. You can pick it up from Nordstrom.
Photos via @mariale, Sephora, Nordstrom