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Best Charcoal Face Masks

Candace Osmond

Activated charcoal is an ingredient found in a wide variety of personal skincare products. It has purifying detoxing benefits that leave the skin looking brighter and cleaner. Charcoal helps to extract oil and bacteria while also exfoliating the skin’s surface. A charcoal face mask is the perfect addition to your skincare routine. It is recommended that you apply a face mask one to two times per week for best results.

RankProductHighlights
#1Biore Charcoal Whipped Purifying Detox Mask

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  • Skin Type: Oily 
  • Size: 4 ounces 
  • Active Ingredients: ProsSalicylic_acid
  • Product Benefits: Detox
#2Bamboo Charcoal Black Mask

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  • Skin Type: Oily, Combination, Dry, Normal
  • Size: 3.5 ounces 
  • Active Ingredients: Bamboo and Tea Tree Serum  
  • Product Benefits: Blackhead Removal
#3Vitamin C Black Charcoal Mask

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  • Skin Type: Oily, Combination, Dry, Normal
  • Size: 2.85 ounces 
  • Active Ingredients: Vitamin C   
  • Product Benefits: Cleansing
#4Clinique City Block Purifying Charcoal Clay Mask & Scrub

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  • Skin Type: All 
  • Size: 3.4 ounces 
  • Active Ingredients: Kaolin Clay   
  • Product Benefits: Exfoliating
#5Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask

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  • Skin Type: All 
  • Size: 3.4 ounces 
  • Active Ingredients: Clay   
  • Product Benefits: Repairing
#6Burt’s Bees Charcoal Facial Sheet Mask with Honey

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  • Skin Type: All 
  • Size: 3.4 ounces 
  • Active Ingredients: Honey  
  • Product Benefits: Detoxifying
#7Olay Masks Pore Detox Black Charcoal Clay Stick

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  • Skin Type: All 
  • Size: 1.76 ounces 
  • Active Ingredients: Black Charcoal 
  • Product Benefits: Detoxifying
#8Belei Charcoal Balancing Mask

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  • Skin Type: Oily, Combination, Dry, Normal, Acne-prone
  • Size: 5 ounces 
  • Active Ingredients: Clay  
  • Product Benefits: Hydrating

A charcoal face mask comes in a squeeze tube, jar, or as a one-time sheet mask. These can be added to your nighttime routine along with your facial cleanser and moisturizer.

Our Picks for the Best Charcoal Face Mask

We have compiled a list of the eight best charcoal face masks that you can buy online. Read on to find the one that best suits your needs.

1. Editor’s Choice: Biore Charcoal Whipped Purifying Detox Mask, with Natural Charcoal

SPECS:

  • Skin Type: Oily 
  • Size: 4 ounces 
  • Active Ingredients: ProsSalicylic_acid
  • Product Benefits: Detox

Biore’s Charcoal Whipped Purifying Detox Mask is specially formulated and dermatologist tested for oily skin.  This creamy mask is infused with natural charcoal to eliminate impurities, lifting away dirt and oil to purify clogged pores. Your skin is left clean, refreshed and instantly mattified.

This mask feels soothing and refreshing as it leaves a cooling sensation on your skin. Your skin will feel cleansed and look radiant while you take a time-out to de-stress. 

This mask comes in a 4 ounce squeeze tube and it is activated by water. It takes five minutes from start to finish. It won’t dry or harden as it pulls the oil from your skin. As you massage it into the skin, it will heat up.

ProsCons
  • Great for oily skin. 
  • Dermatologist tested. 
  • Opens pores to remove blackheads. 
  • Only takes five minutes.
  • Some users stated that it feels more like a deep cleanser than a mask.

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2. Runner Up: Bamboo Charcoal Black Mask Blackhead Peel Off Mask 

SPECS:

  • Skin Type: Oily, Combination, Dry, Normal
  • Size: 3.5 ounces 
  • Active Ingredients: Bamboo and Tea Tree Serum  
  • Product Benefits: Blackhead Removal

The SHVYOG Blackhead Remover Mask gently yet powerfully peels away your blackheads, pore-clogging dirt, dead skin cells and extra oils. It is crafted with Tea Tree Serum which moisturizes your skin, leaving it smooth and radiant. This comes as a set with the peel off mask along, a brush applicator, and the repair serum. 

This is a deep cleansing mask with powerful activated charcoal which will get rid of blackheads, impurities, and excess oil. After you remove the mask, apply the tea tree serum to repair, relax, and reduce redness. It’ll also help shrink any large pores. The bamboo extracts help to purify skin and have anti-aging properties. Regular usage tightens pores and provides firm, youthful and healthy skin.

ProsCons
  • Comes in a set with the mask, brush, and repair serum. 
  • Great for all skin types. 
  • Removes blackheads.
  • Takes 20-25 minutes to dry. 
  • Feels painful when removed.

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3. Best Vitamin C: O’linear Vitamin C Black Charcoal Mask

SPECS:

  • Skin Type: Oily, Combination, Dry, Normal
  • Size: 2.85 ounces 
  • Active Ingredients: Vitamin C   
  • Product Benefits: Cleansing

The O’linear black charcoal peel off mask cleanses, purifies and balances the skin with a pleasant texture-based natural bamboo charcoal. Vitamin C is the active ingredient that has been added in the right proportion to make deep pore cleansing masks work miracles on your skin preventing ageing by collagen synthesis. 

This mask is helpful at removing acne in addition to stimulating skin circulation and cell regeneration. It’s great for all skin types including sensitive skin. 

This is a high quality blackhead cleanser that is easy to take off. Once it dries, simply peel from the bottom and work it to the top. Then, rinse excess away with water. It is made with organic ingredients that are skin friendly and won’t cause breakouts or allergies.

ProsCons
  • Anti-ageing formula. 
  • Great for all skin types. 
  • Natural and skin friendly.
  • The mask was difficult to remove for some users and came off in tiny pieces.

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4. Best with Clay: Clinique City Block Purifying Charcoal Clay Mask & Scrub

SPECS:

  • Skin Type: All 
  • Size: 3.4 ounces 
  • Active Ingredients: Kaolin Clay   
  • Product Benefits: Exfoliating

The Clinique City Block purifying charcoal mask is made from natural bamboo and Kaolin clay. These active ingredients help to remove pollution and impurities. The formula includes natural silica beads that gently refine skin’s texture to exfoliate dead skin cells. 

This mask will purify your skin as it polishes it to look smoother and radiant. 

It purifies and polishes skin for a delightful deep-clean treatment. Natural bamboo charcoal and kaolin clay help remove pollution and impurities, while natural silica beads gently refine texture. This formula is allergy tested and is 100% fragrance free, great for all skin types.

ProsCons
  • 100% fragrance free. 
  • Leaves skin smooth and radiant. 
  • Silica beads to refine skin texture.
  • It may be hard to remove the mask from your face.

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5. Best Bamboo: Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores

SPECS:

  • Skin Type: All 
  • Size: 3.4 ounces 
  • Active Ingredients: Clay   
  • Product Benefits: Repairing

This purifying charcoal mask from Origins unclogs pores for a perfectly pure look. It deeply detoxes, absorbs environmental toxins & dissolves impurities. It’s formulated with Bamboo Charcoal & White China Clay. This charcoal mask acts like a magnet to deep clean & draw out deep-dwelling pore-cloggers, impurities & debris.

You can trust this on your skin as it’s formulated without Parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, formaldehyde, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), mineral oil, petrolatum, paraffin, diethanolamine (DEA), and polyethylene beads.

Use the mask on makeup-free skin at least once a week for best results. You’ll see your skin shake off the dullness and it will look clear and radiant.

ProsCons
  • Deeply detoxes the skin with Bamboo Charcoal. 
  • White China Clay absorbs environmental toxins
  • Beware of the packaging if it’s not in the original brand package. 
  • Didn’t remove all blackheads.

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6. Best Sheet Mask: Burt’s Bees Charcoal Facial Sheet Mask with Honey

SPECS:

  • Skin Type: All 
  • Size: 3.4 ounces 
  • Active Ingredients: Honey  
  • Product Benefits: Detoxifying

This single use sheet mask from Burt’s Bees is perfect for those days when your skin needs a serious detox. The detoxifying effects of this charcoal mask are combined with honey and glycerin to soften and lock in moisture. It removes impurities for an invigorating cleanse while being gentle and soothing on your skin. The sheet mask features embedded charcoal to help remove impurities, dirt and grime from the surface of your skin providing a fresh clean appearance. 

This sheet mask is quick and easy to use. Simply unfold the mask and place it on a clean face. Smooth the mask into place and then wait up to two minutes to gently massage it. Remove and rinse. 

It’s formulated without parabens, phthalates, SLS or petrolatum. Plus,it is non comedogenic, dermatologist tested and has no added fragrance.

ProsCons
  • Single use sheet mask. 
  • 99% natural with charcoal and honey. 
  • Dermatologist tested. 
  • Good for all skin types. 
  • Only takes a few minutes.
  • The mask can feel watery and easily slip off.

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7. Best Detox: Olay Masks Pore Detox Black Charcoal Clay Stick

SPECS:

  • Skin Type: All 
  • Size: 1.76 ounces 
  • Active Ingredients: Black Charcoal 
  • Product Benefits: Detoxifying

Hit the reset button on stressed skin with the Olay Clay Face Mask Stick. We love the unique packaging in a stick because you can target specific areas of your face and take this with you on the go without a big mess. Plus, you’ll get a precise application. Apply and rinse off after ten minutes for a radiant glow. 

These sticks are formulated with premium Kaolin clay that micro-exfoliates to remove skin-dulling congestion. Black Charcoal draws out impurities, reducing the appearance of pores and leaving skin soft, refined and revived.

ProsCons
  • Easy to apply stick that you can take on the go. 
  • Precise application. 
  • Brightens skin and removes impurities.
  • Leaves behind an oily residue. 
  • Hard to wash off.

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8. Best Hydrating: Belei Charcoal Balancing Mask

SPECS:

  • Skin Type: Oily, Combination, Dry, Normal, Acne-prone
  • Size: 5 ounces 
  • Active Ingredients: Clay  
  • Product Benefits: Hydrating

Give your skin the balance it craves with this revitalizing clay mask from Belei by Amazon. It’s formulated with Charcoal powder and Kaolin clay to help cleanse impurities and absorb excess oil. You’ll also hydrate your skin with the aloe vera and hyaluronic acid. This is made for all skin types. 

To use, spread a layer on clean skin (avoiding the eye area) and let rest for 10-15 minutes. Unlike traditional mud masks or peel-off masks, this mask may not dry down completely during that time due to the hydrating ingredients. To remove, rinse with warm water and pat dry. Follow with your moisturizing routine.

ProsCons
  • Not tested on animals.
  • Paraben and fragrance free. 
  • Hydrating.  
  • Absorbs excess oil.
  • The coverage is thin. 

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What To Look For in a Charcoal Face Mask

When you’re shopping for a charcoal face mask, you want something that includes ingredients that will suit your skin type. Be sure to closely read the description, reviews, and labels before purchasing. Let’s dive into the things to keep in mind when shopping around for charcoal face masks.

Your Skin Type

Your skin type plays a huge role in the type of skincare products you need. Clay is an ingredient that helps absorb oil so it’s great for oily skin. It’s also known to cleanse your pores to prevent breakouts.

If you have dry skin, you’ll want to look for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, olive oil, or jojoba oil.

If your skin is overly sensitive, avoid fragrances, dyes, parabens, or other chemicals that may cause a bad reaction.

The Benefits Of Using A Charcoal Face Mask

Using a charcoal face mask has a wide variety of benefits. This is a must-have product to keep in your beautify arsenal. Let’s review the three top benefits of using a charcoal face mask.

Cleanses Your Pores

Our skin carries a lot of impurities from the environment and our lifestyle that build up on the surface. This leaves your skin looking dull and dry. Applying a charcoal face mask pulls out these impurities while exfoliating your skin at the same time. A mask helps to unclog your pores.

Brightens Your Skin

The impurities that we just discussed can damage your skin over time. The result is a complexion that looks dull and tired. A charcoal face mask helps to reduce that dull skin by brightening it by increasing the luminosity. This is especially important during the cold winter months where your skin is overly dry.

Protect Against Breakouts

Charcoal absorbs excess oils and build-up from your skin. Acne is caused from a build-up of dead skin cells, oil, and bacteria that is trapped under the skin. Activated charcoal is rich with antibacterial properties. Using a face mask to remove oil and bacteria helps to keep acne breakouts at a minimum. Your skin will look healthier and smoother over time.

How To Use A Charcoal Mask

To give your skin a boost and add much needed self-care into your routine, apply a charcoal face mask at home once or twice a week.

Step 1: Cleanse Your Face

You always want to start from a clean face. Before applying any charcoal mask, use a facial cleanser to remove surface level dirt and makeup.

Step 2: Apply The Face Mask

Follow the specific directions of the mask you’re using to apply it. You always want to make sure that you avoid your eyes and mouth. Follow the instructions and set a timer.

Step 3: Moisturize

Once the timer goes off, rinse off the mask and pat your face dry. Then, apply a facial moisturizer to lock in hydration.

Final Thoughts

Charcoal has become a popular ingredient in the beauty and skincare world. Charcoal face masks leave skin looking clearer and healthier. It’s a great way to up-level your self-care routine too.

We have provided you with lots of different options when it comes to searching for the best charcoal face masks. Make sure that you make a list of what you are looking for based on your skin type. There is something for everyone on our list of the best charcoal face masks that are sure to meet your needs. Take all of our tips into consideration so that you can make the best choice when shopping online.

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