Which Charcoal Mask is Best for Blackheads?

Excessively oily skin can be stressful. You have to deal with constantly blotting your face throughout the day, so you don’t look like a shiny disco ball and worry about pimples popping up out of nowhere. Then there’s always feeling like sebum and impurities are clogging up your pores, so you have to watch out for blackheads too. It can all be too much!

Luckily, charcoal products are available in the market to be a skin savior to oily skin. From the trendiest charcoal soaps to the best charcoal mask out there, people with oily and acne-prone skin are always clamoring for skincare products that carry this miracle ingredient. Charcoal does wonders for problematic skin, from deep cleansing to calming active acne to controlling sebum production.

Masks are a great way to incorporate charcoal into your daily skincare regimen. Read on to see the best charcoal masks we recommend and why.

12 Best Charcoal Face Mask for Acne and Whiteheads

1. O’Linear Cosmetics Black Mask

Let’s start this list with a peel-off mask that is excellent at drawing out impurities but is also packed with great natural ingredients. O’Linear’s black mask is 80 grams worth of activated charcoal, vitamin C, and botanicals that your skin will love.

How to use this mask is pretty standard. You spread a somewhat thick layer of the product on your skin (not too thin or else it may be hard to peel off), wait for it to dry, and peel. What’s great about it is that it’s effective in extracting impurities and stubborn blackheads from deep in the pore.

Many popular charcoal mask brands come out with masks that only pull out hair follicles, but this mask in particular visibly cleans the pores. All it takes is one masking session and so many blackheads on the skin, especially the nose, disappear.

The formula is also infused with vitamin C to promote the production of collagen in the skin, which is excellent for preventing wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging. Along with this, there are other natural ingredients like wheat protein, rice extracts, apple, and aloe, to help soothe the skin during the masking process.

Beyond that, because it gives such a deep extraction, it can be quite challenging to peel off of the face. But once this mask dries and is peeled off, the skin will feel cleaner and renewed. It makes the pores appear smaller and even helps reduce the production of excess oil on the skin, so your skin’s finish can be matte for longer.

If you’re looking for the best black charcoal mask, then this option from O’Linear Cosmetics is a great contender. You get effective extraction of blackheads while replenishing your skin with vitamins and natural botanicals.

2. Cool Day’s Blackheads Charcoal Mask

If you’re looking for a charcoal mask that’s a bit more gentle on the skin and easier to remove, this option by Cool Day’s might be for you. Its main ingredient is bamboo charcoal, which absorbs toxins from the environment and draws out grime clogging up the pores, from blackheads to dirt and bacteria.

Aside from detoxifying charcoal, the formula also contains collagen and vitamin E to promote collagen production and elasticity in the skin. With these, the mask helps to prevent the early onset of signs of aging, like wrinkles.

Like any good charcoal mask, this product clarifies the skin and removes the distracting oiliness that makes the face look greasy, at least for a couple of hours after use. Regular use of this product helps control the production of oil in the long run, so you don’t get overly oily throughout the day.

One of the best things about this mask is that it comes with a free brush for easy application of the product to the face. The brush’s bristles are made of natural and synthetic fibers, making it extra soft. However, it is not flimsy and helps build a thick, solid layer of the mask on the face.

Compared to other masks, this charcoal pore mask is quite easy to peel off. I found that it takes one slick swipe off the face to remove the entire mask, and I didn’t have to worry about tugging and pulling at my skin. No remnants of the mask stay on the skin after peel-off as well.

Please note that this product has a strong perfume scent that might not be inviting to some people.

This mask is super easy to use and even has a perfume scent, which you will enjoy if you love for your senses to be stimulated when you’re doing your skincare. If that sounds like something up your alley and you’d love to try a blackhead charcoal mask that is easy to peel off, try this option.

3. Freeman Polishing Charcoal Gel Mask

Here’s another mask option for those who are a bit wary of peel-off charcoal masks, like those with sensitive, acne-prone skin or extra conscious about tugging their skin for fear of wrinkles or pain. Facial mask brand Freeman carries this charcoal mask that is pretty much a hybrid of a soothing gel mask and a sugar scrub.

Activated charcoal is still the star ingredient of this mask. It does what it usually does, which is absorb excess oil found on the surface of the skin while mattifying it, making it look smooth and matte.

However, what’s unique about this mask is the presence of another ingredient that’s great for cleaning the skin and ensuring it’s rid of all types of bacteria and grime—black sugar. Sugar crystals as exfoliators are far more gentle than the usual microbeads you see in facial scrubs, but they are just as effective in sloughing off dirt and unclogging the pores.

This mask is great for sensitive skin (among other skin types) because it’s a wash-off mask. That means you don’t have to worry about the mask getting too difficult to pull off your skin. Just apply, relax for 5-7 minutes, and wash off with lukewarm water and admire your smooth, clean, supple yet matte skin.

This mask offers great value for money because it comes at an affordable price for a mask that is so high quality and cares for your skin gently while cleansing it to the maximum level.

Still, you should be careful as this mask can be a bit harsh if you use it directly on dry to damp skin.

This mask by Freeman is an awesome charcoal mask for sensitive skin, even if it is an exfoliator. It brings together activated charcoal and black sugar, two ingredients amazing at deep cleansing, for a nourishing masking session that gives you clear, radiant skin afterward.

4. Biore Charcoal Instant Warming Clay Mask

Japan is known for its inventive innovation, especially when it comes to skincare technologies. That’s why Tokyo-based brand Biore has its own charcoal clay mask, combining two of the best ingredients for oily and combination skin.

This mask combines charcoal, which is great at absorbing and eliminating impurities and pollution from the top layers of skin, and clay, an ingredient known to curb and prevent the production of excess sebum. Together, these two make an intense, hardworking mask that is still gentle enough to be used by those with sensitive, acne-prone skin.

The directions on the product say that this wash-off mask should be massaged gently into the skin upon application. I noticed that drawing small circles on my face also helps exfoliate the skin and rub off some dead skin and dirt, making my skin more glowy and more radiant after use.

What’s unique about this mask is that it has heat technology that can make the effects of charcoal and clay even more powerful. Once water touches the mask, heat is activated, and you’ll start to feel a warming sensation on your skin. This is to help the pores open up so that the charcoal and clay can work their magic in drawing out all the gunk and clean it properly. Still, the heating feature can be a bit distracting on the face; it just takes some getting used to.

This is also a great charcoal mask for acne sufferers because it is non-comedogenic, which means it will never clog your pores. Hence, you’ll never have to worry about it making you break out.

If you have clogged, oily skin, and are looking for the best activated charcoal mask options from renowned Asian skincare brands, then this mask by Biore is perfect for you.

5. M3 Naturals Charcoal Scrub

If you’re looking for an exfoliating yet moisturizing charcoal mask for clogged pores, this sea salt scrub by M3 Naturals may be your best bet.

This high-priced US-made scrub combines natural activated charcoal and Dead Sea salts to give the user a deeper exfoliation that doesn’t just shed dead, flaky skin at the surface but also absorbs oil and grime from deep within the pores.

While this combo of ingredients sounds a bit intimidating, the scrub has other moisturizing and skin-strengthening ingredients that nourish the skin and make it soft and supple.

The formula is infused with collagen and fruit stem cell that can help boost skin longevity and elasticity to delay the signs of aging on the skin, like wrinkles, fine lines, and more loose skin. It also helps fight free radicals that can harm the skin and make it dull.

There are also moisturizing ingredients like jojoba oil, aloe, and coconut oil, all of which make sure the skin isn’t dried out even after exfoliating with charcoal and salts.

You can leave this scrub on the skin for a few minutes and use it as a mask that way if that’s what you prefer. But you can also treat it like a quick exfoliating facial scrub or cleanser, to instantly get brighter, smoother, softer skin.

Even if this mask is packed with nourishing ingredients that your skin will love, its key ingredients, charcoal and sea salt, make for a vigorous and extremely effective exfoliation process, making it one of the strongest charcoal mask options that is still good for those with sensitive, acne-prone skin.

6. Shills Acne-Purifying Peel-Off Black Mask

For skin that is quite strong and buoyant but needs help eliminating blackheads that never seem to go away, Shills’ peel-off mask is perfect for you.

The key ingredient in this natural, organic mask is activated bamboo charcoal. It is great at absorbing oil trapped in the pores and stubborn blackheads stuck there for way too long. This ingredient is also key in purifying the skin to regulate the production of excess sebum, to make sure your face isn’t as oily as before.

After applying the mask and leaving it on for a few minutes until it dries, peeling it off the skin needs some patience, but the result is worth it. It effectively removes gunk and blackheads from the most challenging areas of skin, it also shrinks the pores’ appearance once they are cleansed deeply.

Even if this mask is meant for clarifying the skin, it still contains vitamins and plant extracts to give the skin nourishing ingredients. Therefore, we can rely on this mask to strengthen our skin and make it softer. It’s also very safe to use because it is all-organic and doesn’t use harsh chemicals like parabens, alcohols, or silicones.

The mask comes with a free spatula to use for face application, making it less messy to do a masking session with the product. And while this mask is recommended for men with more resilient skin, it is also perfectly safe to use by women, so long as their skin is not so sensitive to peel-off masks.

Still, you should be aware that this mask might cause your skin a bit drying, so you have to follow up with a moisturizer.

This mask is an amazing option for a charcoal mask for pores that are clogged, especially for the men who have resilient skin but very stubborn blackheads.

Best Charcoal Body Washes

7. Phebe Beauty Black Mask

Phebe is not exactly a very well-known skincare brand, but they provide a simple yet effective and skin-strengthening charcoal peel off mask as awesome as those that popular brands carry.

They use fine, high-quality activated charcoal for their mask, which gives a very deep clean and absorbs oil and gunk in the pores. Because of how deep the clean goes, your pores end up looking smaller after using this product. The charcoal also helps out with regulating the oiliness of the skin my managing the production of sebum.

Aside from just charcoal, this mask also contains natural botanicals that your skin will thank you for. One of these ingredients is lavender oil, which is known to soothe and heal skin. It also promotes skin regeneration so that youthful, radiant skin can start peeking through to replace dull skin on the top layer of skin. The mask also has strong antioxidants that can help delay the signs of aging on the skin.

Because of the oils and botanicals used in this very simple formula, this product smells a lot more pleasant and relaxing than many other charcoal masks today. That makes it a great option for those who love some aromatherapy while doing their nightly skincare routine.

They recommend that you do a face steaming session or at least wash your face with warm water, so you can open up your pores and make it easy for the mask to draw out all the dirt trapped in your skin.

You just need to make sure that you are not in a hurry when using this mask as its drying time might take longer than usual, up to more than 20 minutes or so.

If you want a simple, all-natural charcoal peel-off mask that gets the job done, try out this option by Phebe. It gives you clear, radiant skin, while letting you enjoy its captivating lavender aroma as well.

8. Belei Charcoal Balancing Mask

Some people have combination skin and are looking for a charcoal mask that can cleanse their faces deeply and provide them with the hydration their skin needs to stay strong and healthy. If that is the case for you, look no further than the American brand Belei’s charcoal mask.

Belei’s mask combines activated charcoal and hyaluronic acid to give your skin a balance of deep cleansing and hydration. Charcoal absorbs oil on the skin to make your face less shiny and more matte while giving it a deep cleanse. On the other hand, hyaluronic acid draws moisture from the air and retains it in the deeper layers of your skin, so it can be soft and plump.

Because of its gentle and thoughtful formula, this mask also helps soothe existing acne and blemishes and even minimizes large pores’ appearance after just a couple of uses.

However, it’s important to note that since this mask prioritizes nourishing the skin and not drying it out, it isn’t the type of mask that can easily pull out blackheads, like other charcoal masks that have a peel-off format.

Belei creates clean skincare products that will bring no harm to the skin, so this charcoal mask has no potentially harsh ingredients like parabens, fragrances, sulfates, or phthalates. The formula is dermatologist-tested and approved, so you can be sure you’re only getting the best of the best.

This mask is critically acclaimed and has been included in top beauty product lists by major beauty and self-care publications like SELF Magazine in the USA, so you know it is tried and tested by so many who ended up loving it.

If you’re looking for a top rated charcoal mask that can give you the balance between oil absorption and healthy moisturization, Belei’s mask is definitely one to check out. You get the best of both worlds from a renowned brand that will keep your skin healthy and happy!

Brightening Face Masks

9. The Body Shop Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask

The Body Shop is one of those brands that have been known for decades for their products’ use of all-natural, skin-loving ingredients. If you’re vegan and looking to try out a charcoal mask that can help with problematic skin as well, then you’ll love this Himalayan bamboo charcoal mask by the popular brand.

This clay mask contains bamboo charcoal that helps purify and mattify greasy skin that produces excess oil. It also softens and unclogs pores of grime and hardened oil, for easier extraction of blackheads and other comedones after the masking session.

Furthermore, the formula also includes green tea leaves. They are generous with antioxidants that make the skin stronger and soothe any inflamed or irritated patches of skin. Tea tree oil is another great ingredient found in this formula, helping clear the skin of blemishes by treating them properly without drying them out too much.

Some of the natural ingredients used to make this clay mask are ethically sourced from small communities in Kenya. So if you’re trying to be more ethical and sustainable with your skincare purchases, know that buying this product helps out not only your problematic skin but also those trying to make a living through farming.

This mask is 100% vegan and cruelty-free for those who are conscious of the exploitation of animals. It also does not contain any potentially harmful chemicals, like parabens, silicones, or mineral oils.

The only weak point of this mask is its pretty dense viscosity, making it a little difficult to apply.

For a more natural feel to your masking session, try The Body Shop’s clay mask out. It’s by a trustworthy brand with a household name that ethically sources their ingredients, so you can trust that they’re giving you top-quality skincare.

10. Olay Black Charcoal Clay Stick

If you do multi-masking or apply different masks depending on which part of your face is more problematic than others, you know how much of a mess it can be. Luckily, Olay carries clay face masks in stick form for convenient application to the face. My favorite one that they carry in this line is their black charcoal clay stick.

The mask stick is formulated with charcoal and kaolin clay. They are both known to be good at pulling out impurities from the skin to give it a deep cleanse while clarifying it too to look refreshed and matte. Because they’re excellent at absorbing oil, they pull out even the tiniest bits of dirt and grease from the pores to ensure that the skin can breathe.

While the formula is simple (without compromising the quality of the mask itself), it is the unique and innovative format that really captured my attention.

Notably, the stick format makes masking way cleaner and easier than the usual masks that you can find in a jar or have to apply with a brush. All you have to do is swipe it on your skin, and it’s ready to work magic on your face!

However, because it’s a solid form of charcoal and clay, there is a small downside to it. I noticed that it was a bit difficult to wash off the skin after using it, probably because it hardens quicker than other masks. I recommend you rinse your face patiently while massaging your skin to help wipe off remnants of the product after your masking session.

Olay’s charcoal clay mask in a stick format is incredibly well-thought-of. If you love to do multi-masking or just want an easier way to put on your charcoal masks in general, then this is a great mask option for you to try (and from a world-famous brand, no less!). It could also come in handy if you travel a lot and don’t want to carry around a giant tub of clay mask in your skincare bag.

11. CHIC REPUBLIC Activated Charcoal Face Mask

If you are looking for a charcoal mask that cleanses and clarifies like it’s supposed to but are too scared of it drying out your skin, then you’re in luck. CHIC REPUBLIC offers an activated charcoal mask that nourishes the skin and gives it the vitamins and nutrients it needs to stay soft, healthy, and radiant.

Charcoal and kaolin clay are the main ingredients of this mask. They help absorb excess oil and dig out dirt and impurities from the deeper layers of the skin, to help refresh and cleanse the skin, especially for those affected by daily pollutants.

Aside from these, the mask is packed with anti-aging oils and ingredients that the skin will drink up, from rosehip oil to primrose oil to spirulina. These hydrates the skin, but they also strengthen it and boost collagen production and elasticity, so you don’t see fine lines and wrinkles anytime soon.

It also has vitamin C, a powerhouse ingredient for brightening the overall skin tone for a more even complexion. This is an ingredient that you don’t usually find in charcoal face masks, making this variant by CHIC REPUBLIC all the more unique.

This mask is great for all skin types, but most especially dry and sensitive skin. While charcoal and clay still suck out the nasty bits trapped in your pores, there are many good ingredients and botanicals for your skin to indulge in. Still, it can be too creamy for comfort at the beginning, especially for oily skin.

For those with dry skin who can’t afford to rely on peel-off masks for their problematic skin, this mask by CHIC REPUBLIC may be the best charcoal mask for blackheads for you. It’s also great if you’re looking for a mask that can draw out grime from deep within the skin while replenishing the vitamins and minerals it needs.

12. Origins Clear Active Charcoal Mask

The last product on our list is from Origins, another famous premium brand relying on natural botanicals mixed with science-led skincare technologies for highly effective products. Their rather high-priced mask has great activated charcoal that sucks out grime and pollutants to give you clean and clear skin.

Microporous bamboo charcoal that is amazing at absorbing oil that dwells deep in the pores is the main ingredient of this lovely mask. With one masking session, you can tell by the size of the pores that they are cleaner and hold almost no impurities deep within them.

White China clay is another significant ingredient in this formula. While it assists charcoal in drawing out impurities from the pores, it also flushes out harmful toxins and pollutants that may have been trapped on the outer layers of skin.

Overall, this mask also rids the skin of its dullness, and the skin always looks brighter, cleaner, and smoother than before with each use. It’s a great way to do a deep cleanse for your skin when it feels dirty and congested or to feel refreshed after your skincare routine.

For those who don’t have that much time to squeeze in a masking session but really want to, then this mask is also perfect for you. It takes a short amount of time for the mask to dry on the skin at around 10-15 minutes tops, so you can rinse right away and go on with the rest of your routine.

This mask by Origins is another great option if you’d like to try out a charcoal face mask by a well-known brand that many skincare lovers and dermatologists trust. Its fine, high-quality ingredients really do get the job done.

What to Look for When Buying Charcoal Masks

High-quality charcoal powder

Activated charcoal does wonders for the skin because of its ability to suck up and draw out all the impurities imaginable that may be trapped in your pores. But not all charcoals are created equal. Read the label of each product you’re looking to buy to see if their charcoal powder is fine, natural, and high quality.

One good example of activated charcoal that is high quality and will be incredible for the skin is bamboo charcoal. Such powder can go up to four times stronger than ordinary charcoal. This means it can draw more impurities out of your pores and pull out even the most stubborn blackheads and grime that have been stuck in your skin for quite some time.

Hydrating properties

Charcoal masks often get a bad rap for being too drying, especially the peel-off ones that leave the skin suspiciously squeaky clean. There’s always a risk for these masks to strip the natural oils from your face during the peel-off step. Hence, it’s essential to look for masks with at least some hydrating properties to replenish the skin during masking.

Some great hydrating ingredients that can be found in many charcoal masks are oils like jojoba oil and coconut oil. Meanwhile, others even have hyaluronic acid to retain as much moisture as possible in the skin. Ensuring that your charcoal mask has ingredients like these is especially important for those with dry, parched skin.

Trustworthy brand name

When looking for a charcoal mask, especially when you’re a beginner, it’s quite comforting to go for products manufactured by the experts.

Try to look for masks produced by household names in the skincare world, like Biore or Origins. If you want to go for a brand that isn’t so popular, make sure to read up on them and what they stand for as a brand, or read reviews on their products for your peace of mind.

Remember that these brands are trusted by many for a reason—because they’re high quality and achieve results for you in the safest and most timely manner. Don’t just go for obscure brands that have no excellent reviews online. Take care of your skin by making sure it only drinks up products from brands that deserve your trust.

Easy peel-off formula

Peel-off masks are actually quite controversial in the modern skincare world because of how much they can tug at your skin. This may speed up the process of getting wrinkles, crow’s feet, and other signs of aging on the skin.

This is why it’s important to look for a formula that is easy to peel off, especially for sensitive skin. Gel formulas are much easier to remove than the more hardcore matte mask formulas.

Those with resilient, stronger skin that is not so sensitive can afford to go for more intense masks, but it’s still important to always be careful when peeling off the mask, so it doesn’t create any trauma to the skin.

Other Important Factors to Consider

What are the best charcoal masks?

The best charcoal masks will differ depending on your skin type and problems. For example, for those with dry skin, the best charcoal masks will be those that are hydrating and have nourishing ingredients—probably a wash-off mask like the Belei Charcoal Balancing Mask, which balances hydration with the purification of the skin.

On the other hand, if you have oily skin, you can opt for a peel-off mask that can eliminate greasiness on the skin and regulate sebum production. One of the best ones for this is the Shills Acne-Purifying Peel-Off Black Mask, which is super powerful when it comes to removing nasties from the pores.

How do charcoal masks work?

Charcoal powder in masks works by digging deep into your pores and absorbing the oil trapped inside of them. Like clay, charcoal is terrific at cleaning and refreshing the skin by deep cleansing. It also has properties that work to minimize the pores for a clearer and smoother complexion.

Who are charcoal masks for?

They are mostly used for drawing out impurities from the skin to cleanse it deeply and unclog the pores, which makes them most beneficial for those with oily skin and clogged pores.

Many people also use charcoal masks specifically for blackheads that are too stubborn to remove by manual extraction, so they are another group of people that can benefit from charcoal masks. Charcoal masks work great for this specific skin issue, especially when they’re in the peel-off format.

What are the different types of charcoal masks?

The two main types of charcoal masks are peel-off and wash-off. Those with oily skin that have major issues with blackheads will probably go for the peel-off ones because they are more hardworking in terms of pulling out as much as they can from the pores.

Those with dry and sensitive skin, on the other hand, may opt for wash-off masks, as these are the ones that are more hydrating and don’t require you to tug at your skin just to remove the mask.

Some brands carry charcoal sheet mask options, but these are not as common as the first two types. It is peel-off and wash-off masks that steal the show as far as charcoal is concerned, but if you do good enough research, you can probably find sheet masks that are great as well.

Why do you need a charcoal mask for blackheads?

Blackheads are one of the monsters of the skincare world. They’re so tiny and hard to extract, even when you seek professional help. Other than that, they are ridiculously stubborn and may take months or even years to finally get rid of.

But with activated charcoal masks, it’s easy to dig deeper into the pore and pull those nasty blackheads right out. Without these masks, many blackheads will probably be stuck there for even longer than just a few years and continue clogging the pores, giving you an uncomfortable, congested feeling on the face.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

There is a huge array of charcoal masks to choose from. Your decision depends on what you feel like doing for your masking session. It can be a rejuvenating and nourishing wash-off charcoal mask to a clarifying and satisfying peel-off mask that draws out blackheads. Regardless of which one you go for, you’re sure to get amazing results because of the nature of charcoal as an ingredient, and its many benefits.

I hope that with this list of recommended options, you have narrowed down your options for the best charcoal mask for you. Get ready to kiss those blackheads goodbye. Have a great charcoal masking session!