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Best Charcoal Masks for All Skin Types
Latest update: December 12, 2024
The Ultimate Guide to the Do's and Don'ts of Clay Face Masks
If you’re looking for a clear, healthy-looking complexion, using a face mask on a regular basis might help you get there. Ingredients like charcoal and clay can be helpful for the look of enlarged pores and help to absorb excess oil.
Why use a charcoal face mask?
Even if you’re already covering your skincare basics by cleansing and moisturizing, using a charcoal face mask can really amp up your skincare game. Not only is using a charcoal mask a great way to pamper yourself, but they can also help target impurities in the skin.
5 BEST DETOXIFYING CHARCOAL MASKS OF 2025
1. BeautyLux Detoxifying Charcoal Mask
by Beautylux [1]
PROS
CONS
Hydrating lecithin
Reduces the appearance pores and redness
Formulated with three natural, mineral-rich clays
Free of sulfates, parabens, and silicones
Suitable for all skin types
Highest value option at a fair price
USA-made with a generous guarantee
Only sold online
High demand causes it to sell out sometimes
The Bottom Line
This ultra-hydrating and detoxifying charcoal mask by BeautyLux features premium ingredients help to remove excess oil and impurities, while gently exfoliating the skin to reveal a brighter and glowing complexion! It contains kaolin and green illite clay soothe skin and absorb excess oil, charcoal to draw out unwanted impurities, and lecithin to keep skin properly hydrated. This charcoal mask is suitable for all skin types and its vegan formula was superior in value and customer reviews, with many reporting that it left their skin looking more even, radiant, and smooth.
BeautyLux focuses on high-end skincare formulations that are vegan, cruelty-free, and always free from sulfates, parabens, and silicones. Their products are manufactured in the USA and ranked highly for their generous money-back guarantee and excellent customer service.
GRADE
A+
2. Irish Moor Mud Mask
by Peter Thomas Roth
PROS
CONS
Helps to refine appearance of pores
Targets blemishes
Charcoal draws out impurities
Contains nourishing seaweed
Mineral-rich moor mud nourishes the skin
Price
This Irish Moor Mud mask by Peter Thomas Roth features black moor mud, seaweed, volcanic ash, and charcoal to minimize the look of pores. It also contains moisturizing elements to help prevent dryness. Some may want to note the price which is on the higher end of the scale in comparison to some of the other products featured here.
The Bottom Line
GRADE
B+
3. White Charcoal Detox Mask
by CONTEXT SKIN
PROS
CONS
Made with charcoal
Contains kaolin clay
Contains glycerin
Formulated without parabens, sulfates, or silicones
Cruelty-free formula
Vitamin-enriched
Sodium bicarbonate may be irritating for some people
Sea salt might not be suitable for all skin types
Not advertised as vegan-friendly
This mask by Context Skin is made to help cleanse and exfoliate the skin. It includes ingredients like charcoal, kaolin clay, and glycerin to target impurities without being too drying. However, some ingredients like sodium bicarbonate and sea salt might be too irritating for some skin types.
The Bottom Line
GRADE
B
4. Boscia Luminizing Charcoal Mask
by Boscia
PROS
CONS
Formulated with charcoal
Helps refine the look of pores and oiliness
Made to target blackheads
Skin-softening
Vegan
Cruelty-free
“Peel-off” formula - may be too aggressive for some skin types
Only one type of clay
Boscia's charcoal mask contains activated charcoal, montmorillonite clay, vitamin C, and a botanical blend to help minimize the appearance of pores and leave skin feeling clean. However, unlike some other masks featured here, it only contains one type of clay. Additionally, the peel-off formula might not be suitable for every person.
The Bottom Line
GRADE
C+
5. PCA Skin Detoxifying Face Mask
by PCA SKIN
PROS
CONS
Made to remove dirt and debris
Helps to absorb excess oil
Contains charcoal
Formulated with kaolin clay
Reduces the appearance of pores
Contains glycerin to hydrate
Only contains one type of clay
The Detoxifying Mask by PCA Skin is made with white charcoal, kaolin, magnesium, and glycerin to help keep pores looking clear. While it also contains hydrating elements, you may want to note that it only features one type of clay.
The Bottom Line
GRADE
C
Our Choice
by BeautyLux[1]
BeautyLux Detoxifying Charcoal Mask
US made with Premium Ingredients
3 Types of Clay, Charcoal, and Lecithin
Vegan, Cruelty-Free, and Paraben-Free
Free Shipping on Orders over $50
Based on 3739 Reviews of Primal Harvest
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA Food & Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Note:
The information provided by this website or this company is not a substitute for a face-to-face consultation with your physician and should not be construed as individual medical advice. The testimonials on this website are individual cases and do not guarantee that you will get the same results. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only.
© 2025 Smarter-Choices.com.
All Rights Reserved.
Trademarks utilized on our website belong to their respective owners and no implied or expressed endorsement of our website or services is intended. Rankings can be affected by the relationship Smarter Choices has with our top picks.
[1] This website is owned and operated by and BeautyLux® brands.
Impurities, zits, breakouts, whatever you want to call them - we’ve all had them! If you're looking for something to help minimize the appearance of those pesky breakouts to enjoy a complexion that looks clear and even, you might have also wondered what actually causes them.
Our pores (the tiny holes in our skin) can get clogged with dirt, bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells. When this happens, the pores, and the oil glands underneath, can become very unhappy. And there you have it - a pimple is born.
Using a detoxifying charcoal clay mask on a regular basis might help boost the way your complexion looks. Many of them are made for oily, combination, or breakout-prone skin. But with charcoal masks becoming increasingly popular, it can be hard to find the right one.
It can be super challenging to know exactly what to look for in a charcoal mask when there are so many things to consider: ingredients, texture, suitability not to mention the most important factor - quality.
Charcoal
Kaolin clay
Illite clay
Montmorillonite clay
Lecithin
Citric acid
TOP INGREDIENTS TO LOOK FOR:
Sulfates
Parabens
Silicones
Mineral oil
Harsh dyes
There are also some other factors to consider before you buy a charcoal face mask:
INGREDIENTS TO TRY TO AVOID:
It can be time-consuming, not to mention expensive, to try to find the right way to fight impurities. Finding your golden ticket to clearer-looking skin can at times feel like a fruitless challenge.
Read on for our list of the top 5 best charcoal face masks of 2025 to help purify your skin for a radiant-looking complexion.
What are the benefits of charcoal?
Charcoal is a fine, black powder that results from burning carbon-based substances. These days, it’s become a popular ingredient in the beauty industry and can be found in facial cleansers, soaps, hair treatments, and face masks.
Charcoal is thought to be very effective at removing impurities because of its ability to get rid of the substances that it comes in contact with, for example dirt and oil. Charcoal mask users say that this ingredient basically acts like a magnet to help unclog congested pores.
Charcoal masks have become wildly popular in recent years, especially the kind that are so-called “peel-off” masks. A word of warning about these types of masks, however. Although a “peel-off” mask may be fun (and super Instagrammable), this type of mask may not be the best for your skin. While the charcoal helps to absorb dirt and excess oil, peeling off the mask may be too aggressive and harsh for some people. In addition to pulling off dead skin cells, using a peel-off mask can also rip out facial hairs and healthy skin cells. This may harm the skin’s barrier and cause sensitivity, redness, and even more breakouts.
It’s better to opt for a charcoal mask that you can wash off, as this is more gentle on the skin and better-suited for most skin types.
Absorb excess oil from the skin
Remove pore-clogging dirt and debris
Reduce the appearance of pores
Exfoliate and refine the appearance of the complexion
Nourish the skin to avoid overdrying
A high-quality charcoal face mask can help:
Contain irritating ingredients
Leave skin feeling dry
Use harsh formulas that can cause redness and sensitivity
Not effectively absorb excess oil or dirt
Lack blemish-targeting ingredients
How some charcoal masks may not meet your needs:
How to choose the best charcoal face mask: What to look for and what to try to avoid
Ingredient Transparency: Always check that the brand discloses a full list of their ingredients and explains what’s inside their products.
Fair Prices: If you find a charcoal mask formulated with premium ingredients at a super low price, this might seem too good to be true. And unfortunately, that’s usually the case. When it comes to your skin it’s generally better not to compromise on quality. Instead, look for products that are fairly priced.
Money-Back Guarantee: Everyone is different and skincare is all about finding a product that works best for your unique self (and skin). A money-back guarantee shows that the company understands this and truly stands behind the quality of their products.
Lifestyle Suitability: Are the products cruelty-free, vegan-friendly, and clean? These are important factors to consider, especially as more and more consumers are becoming conscious about the types of products they use on their skin.
What To Look For:
Unreviewed Products: It’s a good idea to choose brands that disclose their product reviews. Reviews not only give you a good idea of what the product is really like, but many consumers offer tips based on their own experiences.
Skipping Your Research: Always do your research before you buy. Your skin absorbs everything you place on it, so it’s important to choose facial products carefully.
Skimping on Quality: As mentioned above, it’s rarely worth it to choose price over quality. Look for high-quality, naturally-derived ingredients whenever possible.
Harsh Chemicals, Parabens, Sulfates, or Silicones: With so many clean beauty products available, there’s no reason to settle on a charcoal face mask that contains ingredients nobody wants. Look for labels that specifically mention the exclusion of ingredients like unnecessary fillers or parabens, sulfates and silicones.
What To Try To Avoid:
Citations
DISCLAIMER: This scientific research is for informational purposes only. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Smarter Choices provides this information as a service but does not endorse it. This information should not be read to recommend or endorse any specific products.
- Ayer, J, and N Burrows. “...more than skin deep.” Postgraduate medical journal vol. 82,970 (2006): 500-6. doi:10.1136/pgmj.2006.045377
- American Academy of Dermatology | Public Education, www.aad.org/public. Accessed 16 June 2023.
A number of factors can make some people more prone to blemishes than others. Age, diet, genetics, hormones, and even stress may all play a role in determining how often you break out. And unfortunately, these frustrating breakouts can happen to anyone, at any age. [1]
But there are some things that you can do to try and keep your skin looking clear and glowing at any age. Regular cleansing, moisturizing, and lifestyle changes may all help to make a difference. Skincare experts, like the American Academy of Dermatology Association, suggest using topical treatments as one line of defense against breakouts. [2]
Take a close look at the products that you’re using. Are they formulated for oily or breakout-prone skin? Do they contain specific ingredients that target impurities? Ingredients like charcoal and clay have become increasingly popular thanks to their potential to fight oil and balance the skin.
All Charcoal Masks are NOT Created Equal
When it comes to supporting healthy, dewy skin that glows, it’s essential to do your homework and learn how to choose the right detoxifying mask for your lifestyle and skin type.
So how can you be sure that you’re investing in an effective charcoal mask that will actually deliver visible results without drying out your skin or causing even more breakouts?
We’ve taken the guesswork out of choosing a charcoal mask, so that you never risk wasting your hard-earned money on a low value, misleading, or counterproductive skin care product.
Note: These statements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition, nor are they intended to be substitutes for professional medical advice. Always consult your physician, dermatologist, or other qualified healthcare provider for accurate advice, diagnosis, and treatment plan.