Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Jul 14, 2025

The Best Clay Masks at Every Price Point

The Best Clay Masks at Every Price Point

Say goodbye to excess oil.

In high school, pampering myself meant taking a long bath, painting my nails black, and slapping on three-plus goopy layers of whatever mask I thought would suck all the oil out of my T-zone.

Usually, this was a jar of grey, chalky clay that my friends and I had picked up that weekend, and the results were often less than desirable. I had dry skin, and I'd end up drying it out even more by overdoing it with these random treatments.

My face was red and tight and just plain stressed out, unlike my friends who actually had oil to eliminate. So for while, I swore off of clay masks and all they represented, until I became a baby beauty assistant here at MC four years ago. Once I stepped into the beauty closet, I had a change of heart.

I learned that there are hundreds of clay masks out there, and they cater to all skin types—even my dry, flaky complexion. These muddy creations have been optimized and pumped up with hydrating, soothing, and even exfoliating ingredients to take their sebum-zapping powers up a notch.

Different clays have different benefits, so there are some that are perfectly suited for my dehydrated visage—think kaolin to pink to Umbrian. And because my teenage self would have appreciated a bargain, there are thankfully options for everyone, from those looking for a steal to those in the mood to treat themselves. Here, the best options for your skin type and your wallet.

1. The Word-of-Mouth Favorite


Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay : Aztec Secret

Over 12,000 rave Amazon reviews can't be wrong. This mask is straightforward—it's made up of just one ingredient, 100 percent natural calcium bentonite clay—but it's a powerhouse when it comes to clearing out clogged pores, detoxifying build up in your strands, and even for at-home mud wraps.

2. Most Cleansing


Umbrian Clay Purifying Mask : Fresh

The clay harvested from Umbria, Italy has a high mineral content that gives this formula its detoxifying powers. But don't let its potency daunt you: astringent sandalwood and lavender water sooth the skin while it works.

3. Most Detoxifying


Jeju Volcanic Clay Mousse Mask : Innisfree

Volcanic clay from South Korea gives this mousse-y mask its detoxifying kick. (And the bottle eliminates the muddy mess that some jars can cause.)

4. For Your Whole Body


Kaolin Mask : The Inkey List

$7 for a gentle deep cleanse? Sign us way up. Use this formula once or twice a week on any acne prone areas, including your back and chest.

5. For Dry Skin


Mini Pore Waterclay Mask : LANEIGE

K-beauty has never steered us wrong, and this bouncy clay mask is no exception. Its gel texture, given its power from mineral mud from the Yellow Sea, zaps excess oil without stripping the skin.

6. For Sensitive Skin


Squalane + Tea Tree Detox Mask : Biossance

Clay masks sound like they'd cause the opposite of what dry skin needs, but even flakier complexions can benefit from their purifying properties. French green clay reduces the appearance of acne, and squalane keeps all skin types soothed and hydrated.

7. For Mature Skin


Goddess Skin Clay Mask : Charlotte Tilbury

This pink tube isn't just a pretty addition to your medicine cabinet's mise-en-scène. Spanish clay does the oil-absorbing work in this anti-aging formula, while reship oil restores elasticity and softens and sweet almond oil deeply nourishes the skin.

8. For Dry Skin


Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque : Kiehl's

This rich formula has been a classic for years. While it purifies and reduces oil to prevent breakouts, it's still moisturizing enough to keep skin comfy.

9. For City Dwellers


Instant Detox Mask : Caudalie

If you live in a big city, pollution can damage the skin more than you realize. The Viniferine in this formula brightens dark spots and clears pores of toxins that dull the complexion, while pink clay eradicates excess oiliness.

10. For Congested Skin


Clarifying Clay Masque : Skinceuticals

This option is an exfoliating one-two punch: A blend of five fruit acids gentle dissolve dead skin cells to leave a polished, smooth complexion, while kaolin and bentonite clays clarify and reduce oil and shine.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Australia Rules Out Pre‑commitment of Troops, Reinforces Defence Posture Amid US‑China Tensions
Martha Wells Says Humanity Still Far from True Artificial Intelligence
Nvidia Becomes World’s First Four‑Trillion‑Dollar Company Amid AI Boom
U.S. Resumes Deportations to Third Countries After Supreme Court Ruling
Excavation Begins at Site of Mass Grave for Children at Former Irish Institution
Iranian President Reportedly Injured During Israeli Strike on Secret Facility
EU Delays Retaliatory Tariffs Amid New U.S. Threats on Imports
Trump Defends Attorney General Pam Bondi Amid Epstein Memo Backlash
Renault Shares Drop as CEO Luca de Meo Announces Departure Amid Reports of Move to Kering
Senior Aides for King Charles and Prince Harry Hold Secret Peace Summit
Anti‑Semitism ‘Normalised’ in Middle‑Class Britain, Says Commission Co‑Chair
King Charles Meets David Beckham at Chelsea Flower Show
If the Department is Really About Justice: Ghislaine Maxwell Should Be Freed Now
NYC Candidate Zohran Mamdani’s ‘Antifada’ Remarks Spark National Debate on Political Language and Economic Policy
President Trump Visits Flood-Ravaged Texas, Praises Community Strength and First Responders
From Mystery to Meltdown, Crisis Within the Trump Administration: Epstein Files Ignite A Deepening Rift at the Highest Levels of Government Reveals Chaos, Leaks, and Growing MAGA Backlash
Trump Slams Putin Over War Death Toll, Teases Major Russia Announcement
Reparations argument crushed
Rainmaker CEO Says Cloud Seeding Paused Before Deadly Texas Floods
A 92-year-old woman, who felt she doesn't belong in a nursing home, escaped the death-camp by climbing a gate nearly 8 ft tall
French Journalist Acquitted in Controversial Case Involving Brigitte Macron
Elon Musk’s xAI Targets $200 Billion Valuation in New Fundraising Round
Kraft Heinz Considers Splitting Off Grocery Division Amid Strategic Review
Trump Proposes Supplying Arms to Ukraine Through NATO Allies
EU Proposes New Tax on Large Companies to Boost Budget
Trump Imposes 35% Tariffs on Canadian Imports Amid Trade Tensions
Junior Doctors in the UK Prepare for Five-Day Strike Over Pay Disputes
US Opens First Rare Earth Mine in Over 70 Years in Wyoming
Kurdistan Workers Party Takes Symbolic Step Towards Peace in Northern Iraq
Bitcoin Reaches New Milestone of $116,000
Biden’s Doctor Pleads the Fifth to Avoid Self-Incrimination on President’s Medical Fitness
Grok Chatbot Faces International Backlash for Antisemitic Content
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
×