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Byrdie / Tamara Staples
The gentle-yet-effective formula harnesses kaolin and bentonite clays to purify the skin.
Clay masks are good for a wide variety ofskin typesand concerns, explainsDr.
Jeannette Graf, a board-certified dermatologist.
PHOTO: Byrdie / Tamara Staples
For example,oily complexionswill fare well with adetoxifying option, whereas dry skin types require additional moisture.
Those that impressed us the most made this list.
It feels like a luxurious cream that slowly dries down and feels slightly tingly, creating a refreshing sensation.
Byrdie / Tamara Staples
I have huge pores on my nose, and this stuff shrinks them up.
I go from having a strawberry nose to smooth perfection."
It goes on gray, but once applied to the skin, it turns pinkish red.
PHOTO: Byrdie / Tamara Staples
These ingredients help exfoliate the skin and provide a warming sensation.
Post-wash, we were pleased with how refreshed, even, and soft our skin was.
To simultaneously exfoliate, smooth, and decongest, you wont regret giving this one a try.
PHOTO: Byrdie / Tamara Staples
This pretty pink mask is formulated with clay (obviously), exfoliating jojoba beads, and soothing willowherb.
We noticed a real improvement in the appearance of pores and skin texture after using it.
Because it contains drying ingredientsandabrasive little beads, less is more.
To keep your skin from looking extra dry after using, we recommend following up with amoisturizer.
But, to our surprise, its actually the complete opposite.
As it dries, it tightens on the skin but doesnt feel tingly or uncomfortable at any point.
Because the mask is so rich, it can be annoying to get off.
We think just hopping in the shower to rinse it off would be best.
My pores on my cheeks seemed smaller."
One tester swears she noticed that the mask improved the look of her skin in just one use.
Her skin appeared brighter andacne scarsseemed to fade.
Just keep in mind that the potent AHAs may irritate sensitive skin.
I also saw improvement in residual scabbing or previous breakouts that were in the process of healing."
We love that it absorbs excess sebum without overdrying the skin.
Julian, product tester with oily skin:“The mask reduced the oiliness of my face.
My skin feels smooth, supple, and not overly dry.”
The result: Comfortable, hydrated skin.
Containing kaolin clay, oat flour, and collagen, this mask from Mario Badescu is a great example.
She recommends using lots of water and a gentle hand to remove the mask.
It looks and feels like any impurities from overnight and my commute had washed away.
My skin feels soft to the touch.
Formulated withhyaluronic acid, this mask supports theskins moisture barrierwhile also gently purifying and decongesting pores.
Plus, features like a nice smell and a cute glass pot add to the experience of using it.
It was also very soft."
PHOTO: Byrdie / Tamara Staples
To determine which clay mask is best for you, we recommend considering the following points.
There are four different types of clay that are used in face masks for skin health, she explains.
Additional Ingredients: You should also consider a formulas additional ingredients when shopping for a clay mask.
PHOTO: Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Extra exfoliating ingredients can help speed the cell-shedding process along while hydration-boosting elements can prevent irritation.
How We Tested Clay Masks
We tested 24 top clay masks on testers with all skin types.
Below are the features our editors and contributors evaluated to determine our top picks.
According toMelanie Grant, a facialist and celebrity aesthetician, clay masks can do a lot for the skin.
Grant suggests painting your preferred clay mask onto the skin directly after cleansing.
Those experts included:
Why Trust Byrdie
Caitlyn Martynis an associate editor specializing in cosmetics.
She has been a staff writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty and fashion.
Emily Algaris an experienced writer who covers all things beauty and has contributed to several skincare pieces for Byrdie.
Her work has also appeared in Popsugar, Vogue Australia, Grazia, Cosmopolitan, and more.
PHOTO: Byrdie / Tamara Staples
PHOTO: Byrdie / Tamara Staples
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Byrdie / Tamara Staples
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PHOTO: Byrdie / Tamara Staples
PHOTO: Byrdie / Tamara Staples
PHOTO: Byrdie / Tamara Staples
PHOTO: Byrdie / Tamara Staples
PHOTO: Byrdie / Tamara Staples
