Clogged Pores? These Clarifying Face Masks Will Take Care of Those (2025)

Whenever I stare into the mirror and notice my pores looking more prominent than usual, I immediately reach for one of the best face masks for clogged pores to reset my skin. Before we get into the nitty-gritty, though, I should note that pore size—which is foremost determined by genetics (you know, something we can't control)—can't magically shrink or disappear altogether. (And thank goodness, because we need pores to survive.) However, the right products can help keep them clean, which in turn makes them appear smaller.

So, now that we know we're stuck with our pores forever, what causes them to clog in the first place? Excess sebum and dead skin cell build-up lead to blockages, as well as some environmental factors. As Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, previously explained, sun exposure is a major culprit—all the more reason, if you even needed it, to wear sunscreen daily—since it weakens the collagen and elastin surrounding your pores, leading them to stretch and sag over time, and opening up more space for the pores to fill up.

The good news? Set aside 10 to 20 minutes every week—or twice if your skin can tolerate it—to smear on one of our favorite face masks and let them expel everything blocking your skin, bringing it to its fullest, clearest, and brightest potential.

Our Top Face Masks for Clogged Pores

• Best Overall: Caudalie Vinergetic C+ Instant Detox Mask, $42
• Best Clay Mask: Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Minimizing Clay Mask, $47
• Best Gel Mask: Renée Rouleau Rapid Response Detox Masque, $69
• Best Physical Exfoliation: Tata Harper Clarifying Mask, $75
• Best Chemical Exfoliation: Shani Darden Triple Acid Signature Peel, $125
• Best Budget: Beauty of Joseon Ground Rice and Honey Glow Mask, $18
• Best Splurge: La Mer The Deep Purifying Mask, $170
• Best for Sensitive Skin: The Outset Purifying Blue Clay Mask, $46

Frequently Asked Questions

• What causes clogged pores?
• How do you treat clogged pores?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Overall: Caudalie Vinergetic C+ Instant Detox Mask

Why it's worth it: You know a mask is effective when it has a legion of fans amongst the Allure team and a 2024 Best of Beauty Award to boot. "[Caudalie's Vinergetic C+ Instant Detox Mask] has bentonite and kaolin clay to draw out oil but still hydrates with ingredients like glycerin," says Mamina Turegano, MD, a triple board-certified dermatologist based in New Orleans. "I like to use this before a big event because it has caffeine to wake up my skin," she adds. If you didn't know, caffeine is a powerful antioxidant that [temporarily] tightens up blood vessels, as Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut, previously explained.

Tester feedback: "I swear by the Caudalie Instant Detox Mask when my skin needs a serious reset," says shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis. "It pulls out all the gunk, tightens my pores, and leaves me looking like I actually got a full night's sleep. It's basically a juice cleanse for my face—but way more fun."

Key ingredients: kaolin, bentonite, caffeine, grape seed polyphenols | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Clay Mask: Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Minimizing Clay Mask

Why it's worth it: Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Minimizing Clay Mask is a past Best of Beauty winner that makes quick work of “bacteria, excess oil, and dead cells that can clog skin and result in enlarged pores,” as Dr. Turegano explains, thanks to responsibly sourced Amazonian white clay and bentonite clay. "It also has sustainably sourced aloe vera to soothe and moisturize skin," she says, so your skin doesn't feel tight or irritated after you wash off the creamy concoction.

Tester feedback: "I love how creamy and easy to apply this clay mask is," says associate beauty editor Annie Blay. "It has Amazonian white clay and aloe vera to pull the gunk out of my pores without drying my skin." Former editor Talia Gutierrez, who has combination skin, likes to use hers as a spot treatment, focusing on her breakout areas (cheeks, chin, and nose).

Key ingredients: Amazonian white clay, bentonite clay, kaolin, aloe vera | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Gel Mask: Renée Rouleau Rapid Response Detox Masque

Why it's worth it: Masking, but make it luxe. Sensorially, we love the cooling effect of Renée Rouleau's Rapid Response Detox Masque, its minty-citrusy scent, and its alluring gold color (derived from annatto seeds and caramel). This number is especially equipped to stop breakouts in their tracks, and that's because tea tree oil is highly effective in killing acne-causing bacteria. Also working hard is 2% salicylic acid, a beloved ingredient that "dissolves skin debris that clogs pores, [acts] as an anti-inflammatory, and also helps red, inflamed pimples and pustules go away faster," as Naissan O. Wesley, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles, previously explained.

Tester feedback: "I won't lie, I was initially drawn to this goopy, glimmering gold mask because it's just pretty to look at—but putting it on sold me on it entirely," senior news editor Nicola Dall'Asen attests. "Thanks to tea tree oil and 2% salicylic acid, a thin layer of the Rapid Response mask clears dirt and oil out of pores, preventing acne before it reaches the surface (or helps calm it down after the fact). It's so gentle that you might not believe it's doing anything, but the results speak for themselves."

Key ingredients: tea tree oil, salicylic acid (2%), allantoin, sodium hyaluronate | Fragrance-free: no

Best Physical Exfoliation: Tata Harper Clarifying Mask

Why it's worth it: Tata Harper is all about natural, farm-grown ingredients and the Clarifying Mask is no different—it utilizes ingredients such as sage, lavender, evening primrose, and arnica to soothe irritation and redness. Of course, we can't forget about its acne-fighting ingredients, which include both chemical exfoliators (lactic and salicylic acid) and physical exfoliators (quartz sand micro-crystals) for a double dose of texture-smoothing, debris-clearing goodness. Even if you don't have 15 to 20 minutes to leave it on, as the brand recommends, take a minute to use it as an exfoliating face scrub—you'll get an expedited treatment that'll result in smoother, clearer skin.

Tester feedback: "This is basically a fresher take on the clay mask—it has bentonite clay plus lactic and salicylic acids, which are the trifecta for my acne-prone skin," says interim commerce director Deanna Pai. "It leaves my skin looking matte and smooth but not tight, and I love the superfine crystals that add a little buffing action when I rinse."

Key ingredients: quartz sand micro-crystals, salicylic acid, honey, wild grape, rosehip oil, bentonite clay, tazman pepper berry, chlorella | Fragrance-free: no

Best Chemical Exfoliation: Shani Darden Triple Acid Signature Peel

Why it's worth it: Need clearer skin, stat, but can't make it to your facialist? Shani Darden's Triple Acid Signature Peel is your best bet for any special occasion. Dr. Turegano is a fan of this two-step system, which kicks off the resurfacing process with a trio of glycolic, lactic, andmandelic acids, before going in with kaolin and bentonite clay to refine pores. Dr. Gohara says this treatment is great for anyone who wants to even out their skin tone, minimize fine lines, and reduce sun spots, but warns against using the peel if you have sensitive skin or any inflammation.

Tester feedback: In her detailed review, Blay said she's been scarred by the one professional chemical peel she's had but was pleased to discover that this Shani Darden mask didn't leave her skin "feeling dry, tight, or irritated like it sometimes can after using potent acids." What's more, the clarifying effects carried over to the next day. "While the immediate results were impressive, it wasn't until the next morning that I was really blown away. After a night of beauty sleep, my skin tone looked more even and smoother—it also felt and looked hydrated and supple."

Key ingredients: lactic, mandelic, and glycolic acids (Triple Acid Exfoliating Solution), kaolin, bentonite clay, allantoin, cucumber extract, sodium PCA | Fragrance-free: no

Best Budget: Beauty of Joseon Ground Rice and Honey Glow Mask

Why it's worth it: Masks don't need to cost a lot to be effective. Case in point: Beauty of Joseon's Ground Rice and Honey Glow Mask provides deep-pore-scrubbing results for a very reasonable $20. Upcycled makgeolli lees (a byproduct of Korean rice wine), honey, kaolin clay, and rice hull powder constitute a well-balanced formula that both purifies and calms your skin.

Tester feedback: "As someone who approaches physical exfoliation a little cautiously, I love how gentle this mask is," says commerce editor Sarah Han. "It gives my skin an instant brightening effect—as subtle as it may be—and helps even out some texture and redness I experience in and around my T-zone."

Key ingredients: kaolin, honey, upcycled makgeolli lees, rice hull powder | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Splurge: La Mer The Deep Purifying Mask

Why it's worth it: Feeling fancy? La Mer's Deep Purifying Mask is the indulgence your inner bougie self will be over the moon for. This creamy, cooling mask pulls out impurities with marine enzymes, bentonite, and kaolin, transforming from deep green to light green to show off its progress.

Tester feedback: "This glided onto my skin like butter," entertainment director Eugene Shevertalov attested. "While I waited for it to dry, my face tingled a bit (but that's how you know it's working, right?). When I rinsed it away after 10 minutes, my skin was visibly smoother, glowier, and my pores were minimized to a place where I could barely see them."

Key ingredients: bentonite, kaolin, witch hazel water, algae extract | Fragrance-free: no

Best for Sensitive Skin: The Outset Purifying Blue Clay Mask

Why it's worth it: Yet another Best of Beauty Award winner has earned a spot on this list—sensing a pattern yet? The Outset Purifying Blue Clay Mask is a sensitive skin-friendly formula that harnesses the power of serious pore-unclogging ingredients: oil-absorbing kaolin and a texture-smoothing duo of salicylic acid and niacinamide. All you need to do is set aside 10 minutes once or twice a week for this chic blue mask to work its magic.

Tester feedback: "When my skin needs a detox and I don't have a facial on the calendar, I reach for The Outset's Purifying Blue Clay Mask," says former senior beauty editor Paige Stables. "I smear the kaolin clay on my face (I don't recommend wearing a white robe with this vibrant blue treatment), and in ten minutes flat, my pores are unclogged, and my skin is significantly more glowy—without going through any havoc to get there."

Key ingredients: kaolin, glycerin, niacinamide, salicylic acid, gardenia, pansy | Fragrance-free: yes

More face masks for clogged pores we love:

Best Hybrid: Kate Somerville EradiKate Daily Foaming Cleanser

Why it's worth it: If your only knowledge of sulfur has to do with something called the periodic table, we think it's time to explore its skin-care benefits. Kate Somerville's EradiKate Daily Foaming Cleanser stars 3% sulfur to clear all the stuff we're not into: excess sebum, breakouts, and sebaceous filaments. David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, recommends using this cleanser as a mask once a week. "Leave it on for one minute before washing it off," he says. As you would with a traditional mask, make sure your face is completely clean—if you wore makeup that day, we'd definitely recommend an oil-based cleanser to fully break it down.

Key ingredients: sulfur (3%), honey extract, rice bran extract, oat extract, glycerin, oligopeptide-10 | Fragrance-free: no

Best for Discoloration: Dr. Idriss Major Fade Dark Spot AHA Face Mask

Why it's worth it: Shereene Idriss, MD, is not only one of the internet's most prolific board-certified dermatologists, but also one with her own eponymous brand. The Dr. Idriss Major Fade Dark Spot AHA Face Mask goes all-in with a trio of glycolic, lactic, and tranexamic acids to smooth texture, even skin tone, and fade stubborn discoloration. To restore moisture levels is glycerin, which draws in moisture to replenish hydration.

Key ingredients: glycolic acid, lactic acid, tranexamic acid | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Intensive: Personal Day Even Keel Resurfacing Peel

Why it's worth it: Behind Personal Day is Lili Reinhart, actor, and body- and skin-positivity advocate, who "created Personal Day for people with acne and acne-prone or sensitive skin, so they can use these products and not trigger a new breakout." Dr. Kim calls out the Even Keel Resurfacing Peel for its use of salicylicand azelaic acids to "help target blackheads and acne." Also in its lineup are a trio of alpha hydroxy acids—lactic, glycolic, and mandelic—to boost skin cell turnover, clear clogged pores, reduce dullness, and curb acne-causing bacteria. Zinc hyaluronate (a compound derived from zinc and hyaluronic acid, our forever fave), drives moisture into the skin while soothing any potential inflammation.

Key ingredients: salicylic acid (1.05%), lactic acid, glycolic acid, mandelic acid, azelaic acid, rice powder, glycerin | Fragrance-free: yes

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes clogged pores?

TL;DR? Clogged pores are caused by excess sebum and dead skin cell build-up. "Overactive sebaceous (oil) glands can produce more sebum than necessary, which mixes with dead skin cells and other debris, leading to blockages," explains Mamina Turegano, MD, a triple board-certified dermatologist based in New Orleans. "When dead skin cells are not shed properly, they can accumulate within pores, contributing to clogging." To build on that, without stimulating collagen production, "the supportive structure of the pore is compromised, allowing the pore to expand and fill even further, which is why you can see enlarged pores in older people with sun-damaged skin," Dr. Turegano says.

But wait, there's more. Sweat, dirt, and environmental pollutants can mix with sebum and dead skin cells, and makeup and skin-care products can trap oil and debris within your pores, adds Dr. Turegano. As you can imagine, proper cleansing—we're big proponents of double cleansing—is of the utmost importance.

How do you treat clogged pores at home?

Take it from Dr. Turegano: "Treating clogged pores involves a combination of proper cleansing, exfoliation, targeted treatments, and hydration and sun protection." Let's break it down.

Cleansing

If it wasn't already abundantly clear, "It's very important to properly cleanse your face every day to remove all the oil,pollution, and dead skin cells," confirms David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City and founder of Lightsaver. Double cleansing is the surest way to go about this, especially to break down sunscreen (which you should be wearing, no matter what!) and makeup.

Exfoliation

Exfoliation, simply put, gets rid of pore-clogging dead skin cells. Both Dr. Turegano and Dr. Kim recommend chemical exfoliants, AHAs and BHAs, to clear pores on the surface and deep within. "Depending on the strength of the exfoliant and the person’s skin type, exfoliation can potentially be once a week to every day," says Dr. Turegano.

Let's go deeper. For oily or acne-prone skin, Dr. Turegano recommends salicylic acid, "which penetrates deep into pores to dissolve oil and debris." Dry or combination skin? "Glycolic acid exfoliates the excess skin debris and promotes cell turnover." Sensitive skin? No problem. Try lactic acid, "a gentler exfoliant that hydrates while exfoliating" and may be derived from fruit enzymes (e.g. papain, bromelain), says Dr. Turegano.

Also on the shortlist? Retinoids, whether they're over-the-counter or a prescription like tretinoin. These "reduce oil production and increase cellular turnover," Dr. Kim explains, and "strengthen the structure/walls of the pores," Dr. Turegano adds.

Targeted treatments

Here's where masks—the star of this story—come in. Dr. Kim likes using sulfur-based products as masks. "Sulfur has antimicrobialand anti-inflammatory properties to help improve acne and clogged pores," he notes. And while they're not 100% necessary (listen to your skin!), "clay or charcoal masks can further absorb excess oil and draw out impurities," Dr. Turegano says, recommending such one or twice a week.

Hydration and sun protection

Hydration is already built into most of the skin-care products we love, but Do. Not. Forget. Sunscreen. As we've already touched upon, "Sun damage can weaken collagen, which can enlarge pores," Dr. Turegano notes. Find what sunscreen works best for you—mineral or chemical, as long as it's SPF 30 or higher—and be diligent about application and reapplication.

Meet the experts

• Mamina Turegano, MD, a triple board-certified dermatologist based in New Orleans
• David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City and founder of Lightsaver
• Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
• Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut

How we test and review products

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of the best face masks for clogged pores, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

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