After 28 hours of research evaluating 62 products, we picked Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores as our top choice.
In the last couple of years, charcoal-infused products have steadily gained popularity in skincare.
It actually makes a lot of sense. After all, according to a study published in the Biomedical Journal of Scientific and Technical Research, activated charcoal is a great anti-toxin. It is prized for its ability to absorb toxic materials and substances.
So finding the best charcoal mask is a worthy endeavor.
Now:
The potential use of this amazing property is highly promising. Its ability to draw out impurities makes activated charcoal an ideal cleansing and purifying ingredient.
The best charcoal peel off mask will help unclog pores by removing stubborn dirt, debris, and excess oil. In effect, it will help eliminate blackheads, whiteheads, and other blemishes and reduce the look of pores.
What’s the bottom line?
Charcoal face masks are a worthy addition to your skincare routine if you’re struggling with the abovementioned concerns. Combined with other ingredients, the right mask can also help brighten, soften, and revitalize your complexion.
That’s why we’ve done the hard work of reviewing and testing out dozens of products to come up with a list of the absolute best charcoal masks on the market.
Ready to find out what all the hype is about? Read on!
#1 Best Charcoal Mask Overall
Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores
- Deeply cleanses and purifies the skin
- Visibly reduces the appearance of pores
- Provides a pleasant and relaxing masking experience
Pros
Origins’ Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask has been a cult favorite in the beauty community for YEARS now. And why wouldn’t it be? It’s one of the first charcoal masks to ever come out, yet it’s still loved by many for its effectiveness in flushing out environmental toxins, dirt, and debris to help unclog pores.
Product Ratings
Texture and Scent
9.8/10
This product is one of the easiest and most pleasant charcoal masks to apply and use. We love its thicker texture which makes applying an opaque layer pretty easy. It doesn’t smell strongly of anything, either – so it’s a great option even for people with sensitive noses.
Ingredients and Performance
9.7/10
This charcoal face mask is great for all skin types. It banks on Bamboo Charcoal and White China Clay to absorb dirt, pollutants, and sebum away from your pores — helping eliminate blackheads, whiteheads, and other impurities in the process. According to many reviewers, this product also helps speed up the pimple-healing process, as well.
What’s more, this mask boasts clean ingredients. It is free of sulfates, parabens, and phthalates.
Pro tip: Apply this mask after stepping out of a hot bath or hot shower. The steam helps the charcoal particles absorb gunk more effectively. Another option is to place a warm towel over your face for a few minutes before using this mask.
Value
9.3/10
This charcoal face mask is reasonably-priced for a product that is sold at Sephora. Of course, if you’re more used to drugstore skincare, it’s highly likely that you’ll find it expensive.
Regardless of your skincare budget, however, the fact remains that this mask simply works. The overall experience of using it and the results it produces make this product a smart purchase in our humble opinion.
Overall Editor Score
9.6/10
#2 Best Charcoal Mask for Sensitive Skin
No B.S. Charcoal Peel-Off Mask
- Minimizes pores
- Hydrates and brightens the skin
- Dries quickly and is easy to remove
Pros
The No B.S. Charcoal Detox Mask balances and purifies the skin using activated charcoal. It also contains Garden Cress Extract, Plant Stem Cells, and Squalane to help treat hyperpigmentation and improve the skin’s elasticity and hydration level. It’s pleasant and satisfying to use for people of all skin types.
Product Ratings
Texture and Scent
9.7/10
This detox mask is gooey and a bit sticky. This may sound bothersome for some people, but this kind of consistency actually makes the whole application process super satisfying.
Watching the mask dry and form an easy to peel layer is quite an interesting experience. We love how easily everything peels off in one smooth layer. This mask has a faint but pleasant scent, as well.
Ingredients and Performance
9.8/10
We chose this as the best charcoal mask for sensitive skin because of its easy-to-peel formula and clean ingredients list. It doesn’t have parabens, phthalates, petrochemicals, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances. It hasn’t been tested on animals and is gluten-free.
This charcoal mask peels away toxins and reveals a brighter and smoother complexion. We appreciate the addition of Plant Stem Cells, Garden Cress Extract, and Squalane, which are skin-loving ingredients that hydrate, improve elasticity, and help clear hyperpigmentation.
Value
9.2/10
One tube of this charcoal face mask costs $45. Obviously, it’s a pricey product especially for the amount of product you’re getting. But considering its performance and promising ingredients, we think it’s well worth the investment.
Overall Editor Score
9.6/10
#3 Best Charcoal Mask for Oily Skin
Fine Vine Organics Activated Charcoal Mud Mask
- Re-energizes and deeply cleans the skin
- Great for the face and body
- Helps balance oily skin
Pros
Fine Vine Organics Activated Charcoal Mud Mask combines charcoal with dead sea mud and natural extracts to deep-clean, refresh, and soften the skin. It has a pleasant gel-like texture and provides great value for money, as well.
Product Ratings
Texture and Scent
9.3/10
Initially, this charcoal face mask has a gel-like texture that makes it pleasant to apply and spread all over the face. You’re supposed to leave it on for up to 30 minutes, and by the end of that timeframe, the mask will dry into a tight, almost cement-like finish.
As you can imagine, the mask might feel uncomfortable right before rinsing, but the first splash of water will quickly relieve this feeling.
Ingredients and Performance
9.4/10
Made with all-natural ingredients, Fine Vine’s charcoal mask can be used on the face and body by people of all skin types – though it’s primarily recommended for combination to oily skin.
Aside from charcoal, it contains dead sea mud to remove dirt and impurities while exfoliating the skin. It also features organic aloe vera and shea butter extract for added moisture and nourishment. That way, you can let the charcoal and mud do their magic without worrying about drying out your skin too much.
It does leave the skin feeling cleaner and softer. It gives you a fresh glow, too – probably due to its exfoliating action. Although the mask takes some time to dry, we think that it’s a great step to add to your skincare routine every once in a while.
Value
9.4/10
A little product goes a long way, which is awesome considering that the product itself is pretty affordable for the amount you’re getting. For that, and the product’s performance, we’re giving this charcoal face mask a good value score.
That said, if you’re looking for the best charcoal mask for oily skin but are wary of spending too much, this product is definitely worth looking into.
Overall Editor Score
9.4/10
#4 Best Natural Charcoal Mask
O’linear Black Charcoal Peel-Off Mask
- Made with organic and natural ingredients
- Comes with a special face care gel
- Effective but not painful to peel off
Pros
This charcoal peel-off mask leaves the skin soft, smooth, and looking refined. It latches onto leftover gunk inside the pores and pulls them out to help remove blackheads and whiteheads. Also, it comes bundled with a nourishing gel that is meant to be used after the charcoal mask.
Product Ratings
Texture and Scent
9.2/10
Both the mask and the face gel have a smooth and easy-to-apply texture. O’linear did a good job as far as scent is concerned, too. Both products smell pleasant without being too overwhelming.
The mask, however, is not the easiest to peel off. Instead of having to peel off one cohesive layer, you’re more likely to end up having to remove the mask portion-by-portion. Although this process is time-consuming, knowing that the mask isn’t painful or uncomfortable to remove is a nice consolation.
Ingredients and Performance
9.2/10
This charcoal face mask eliminates impurities that stem from environmental dirt and pollution. It contains organic bamboo charcoal that suits all skin types. The face care gel is a great add-on, too, as it helps soothe open pores and refreshes the complexion further.
Value
9.4/10
For 3 ounces of product (2 ounces of the charcoal mask and 1 ounce of the face care gel), paying a little less than $12 is definitely a good deal.
Overall Editor Score
9.3/10
#5 Best Fragrance-Free Charcoal Mask
Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Charcoal Mask
- Absorbs oil, pollutants, and impurities
- Helps refine pores
- Great for all skin types
Pros
This mask combines the power of charcoal powder to remove impurities and mineral clay to absorb excess oil. It’s oil-free and helps refine the look of pores. It dries quickly and rinses easily, too — which makes it a great option for time-strapped individuals.
Product Ratings
Texture and Scent
9.1/10
This charcoal mask is fragrance-free, so it’s not really surprising that it works well for almost all skin types. It has a moderately-thin and spreadable texture that leaves a lightweight veil of product all over the face. It’s less creamy than most charcoal face masks, which allows it to dry relatively quickly.
Ingredients and Performance
9.2/10
Clinique’s charcoal mask removes impurities, debris, and pollutants using charcoal powder. On top of that, it’s formulated with mineral clay to counter excess oil production – something that oily-skinned gals will surely appreciate.
Even with the clay content and comparatively-dry texture, this charcoal mask doesn’t irritate nor excessively dry out the skin. Many reviewers who have dry or dehydrated skin report positive experiences with this product, as well.
It makes your skin look and feel fresh. However, it won’t leave your face feeling squeaky clean, if that’s what you’re after.
Value
8.9/10
A 3.4 oz tube of this charcoal mask costs a little under $30. It’s not ridiculously expensive, but it’s not exactly affordable, either. If the formula and ingredients sound like a good fit for you, we believe that this face mask can be worth the investment.
Overall Editor Score
9.1/10
#6 Best Charcoal Mask for Acne-Prone Skin
Yes To Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Mud Mask
- Effectively draws out impurities
- Fights acne
- Conditions the skin
Pros
The Yes To Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Mud Mask combines the power of charcoal, salicylic acid, and botanical extracts to create a mask that not only cleans and purifies but helps treat and prevent acne, as well. This mask contains 96% natural ingredients and is rich and creamy, making it a complete delight to slather on.
Product Ratings
Texture and Scent
8.7/10
This mask is creamy but reasonably-thin, which makes it really easy to apply all over the face. A little product goes a pretty long way, so piling on layer after layer isn’t too painful on the pocketbook.
It has a nice, fun fragrance that should appeal to most people. However, the scent may be a bit too strong for those with sensitive noses.
Ingredients and Performance
9.2/10
This charcoal mask removes gunk from your face using the power of charcoal. On top of that, it contains salicylic acid to help fight and prevent acne and improve the look of pores. If you’re constantly struggling with zits that just won’t go away, this Yes To Tomatoes formula may just be what you need.
Aside from charcoal and salicylic acid, botanical ingredients like tomato, watermelon, aloe, chamomile, and pumpkin extracts have earned their spots on the ingredients list. These extracts nourish and condition the skin for a smooth and supple complexion.
The formula definitely makes it the best charcoal mask for acne-prone skin. But if you don’t have pimple problems to deal with (Lucky you!), using this mask will nonetheless give you a cleaner and smoother-looking face.
Value
8.9/10
Although not as affordable as the Freeman mask, Yes To Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Mask is still wallet-friendly. A small, 2-ounce tube will set you back a little bit over 10 bucks – not too shabby given its acne-fighting properties.
Overall Editor Score
8.9/10
#7 Best Cheap Charcoal Mask
Freeman Polishing Charcoal and Black Sugar Polish Mask
- Absorbs impurities
- Non-drying
- Exfoliates dead skin cells
Pros
Using Freeman’s Polishing Charcoal + Black Sugar Gel Mask + Scrub is an affordable yet effective way to detox the skin. It sloughs off dead skin cells for a smoother and more radiant complexion. As the best cheap charcoal mask, it absorbs impurities to help keep your pores feeling clean and refined.
Product Ratings
Texture and Scent
8.5/10
This gel mask + scrub has a gritty and slightly slippery texture. The black sugar polish is abrasive enough for an effective physical exfoliation – so make sure to be gentle when massaging the product onto your face.
Admittedly, its scent isn’t among its stronger suits. Many reviewers find the fragrance of the mask to be a bit too strong. But if you’re not too fussy about this particular aspect, we think that this mask is your best budget-friendly option. You might even enjoy the charcoal-like smell of the product.
Ingredients and Performance
9/10
The black sugar beads in this formula work great at loosening and removing dead skin cells to help improve the skin’s texture. Charcoal masks, in general, are known for their effectiveness in absorbing impurities. This affordable product takes that a notch higher by sloughing off dead skin to help the activated charcoal component remove gunk from your pores more effectively.
This mask helps clear up breakouts faster, as well. However, if you have a lot of active, raging pimples, you should be extra careful when applying this to your face. Remember: aggressive exfoliation will aggravate acne and result in irritation.
Value
9.2/10
At around $4 for a 6-ounce tube, this mask is truly unbeatable in the price department. It’s so affordable that hoarding several bottles at a time doesn’t seem like such a crazy idea! If you want to hop on the charcoal bandwagon but are not too keen on spending more than a few bucks, we recommend this product 100%.
Overall Editor Score
8.9/10
