Our Beauty Experts Swear By These Blackhead Masks for Unclogging Stuck Pores (2025)

Complexion looking a little dull? Give clogged pores the boot with a blackhead mask that clears skin and leaves it feeling smoother and brighter. From spot treatments to face masks, these skincare products work to get rid of pesky blackheads by joining together acne-fighting ingredients. Blackheads, also known as open comedones, form when sebum and dead skin cells build up inside the follicle or pore. Because the pore is open, the material oxidizes, causing the black appearance, according to Good Housekeeping Institute Chemist Danusia Wnek. "Facial masks help to break down and gently shed this debris to treat them and with continued use, possibly prevent them," says board-certified dermatologist Monica Li, M.D.

Over the years, our Beauty Lab experts have researched and evaluated tons of products to help our readers build their best acne skincare routine, including benzoyl peroxide products to acne face washes. Ahead, you'll find favorites from our beauty pros and editors, top-tested brands, dermatologist recommendations and products with tried-and-true ingredients. Read on for the 15 best blackhead masks that clear out impurities and leave a brighter complexion behind.

Our top picks:

Keep scrolling to the end of our top picks for tips on what ingredients look for in a blackhead masks, plus more info on how we test.

Shrink the appearance of pores and leave a shine-free complexion behind in a single step. Our GH experts love Caudalie's Instant Detox Mask for its powerhouse ingredients of kaolin and bentonite — both work to clear out blackheads and absorb excess oils. "My face looks and feels smoother after using it," says Wnek, who has oily skin. Meanwhile, its purifying pink clay and nourishing botanical oils also make it a match even for dry skin types. GH’s beauty director raves that “it is the closest to a facial you can get at home.”

Dr. Li recommends this budget blackhead mask for ridding dirt from pores. Its combination of clays, including kaolin, work to draw out excess oils and leave complexions feeling cleaner. Amazon reviewers noted that it worked wonders at reducing oil and shine on skin, while a few others noted that it took more effort to wash off the mask.

Acne-prone and oily skin types, rejoice! The rinse-off mask earned top praise as a GH Seal holder. Made with charcoal and clay, it reduced skin's oil by 89% and shine 84% in 15 minutes, according to Lab data evaluation. It won't dehydrate skin, instead leaving it "silky and soft," a Lab tester reported. “I have dry skin and am wary of clay masks, but unlike some that can dehydrate, I was amazed that this left my face clarified and baby-soft," says GH’s Beauty Director.

Origins's face mask clears out blackheads, leaving a mattified complexion in its wake. Formulated with kaolin and bentonite, this charcoal treatment actively reduces the appearance of pores while cutting down on grease and shine on oily skin types. Wnek names it a personal favorite for its ability to nix that tight skin feeling. Some online Ulta reviewers noted its gentle formula didn't feel as deep cleaning as they expected.

Innisfree's deep cleansing clay mask does the dirty work for you. Dr. Li personally recommends this one, and Wnek appreciates this mask's impressive combo of AHAs that work to gently exfoliate dead skin cells and reduce the appearance of pores. Given its scrubbing powers of walnut shell powder, it works great for smoothing out texture. It also contains clay stars bentonite and kaolin, which draw out impurities. If you're looking to reduce oil and shine, keep in mind that some online reviews said it worked less so.

Famed across social media for its powerful deep cleaning, this Indian Healing Clay Mask on Amazon purely uses calcium bentonite clay to banish blackheads. Coming in a powder formula, it requires that you mix in water to create a mask. One GH editor loves using it as a quick spot treatment on bad breakouts. "You can feel it at work — tightening on skin almost as if it instantly removes blackheads and clears out pores," she says. Keep in mind not to wear the clay mask for longer than five to 10 minutes, as it can cause redness or drying, according to the brand.

Exfoliate skin and treat blackheads all in one go. This mask is formulated with 0.5% salicylic acid, a proven acne-treating ingredient and a great exfoliant for oily skin, and zinc oxide, a mineral that reduces skin oiliness for a polished complexion. "I like that this mask clears up clogged pores gradually, with regular use, rather than pulling out blackheads," says Beauty and Health Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler. That means fewer breakouts ahead!

Treat your complexion with Aveeno's clarifying peel-off mask. GH Beauty Lab Director Birnur Aral, Ph.D., praises its AHA formula that her daughter used as an at-home facial to keep acne in check. The results: It made "an immediate difference in de-clogging pores,” Aral says. We recommend layering a thick coat and waiting about 15 to 20 minutes for it to dry, then peel. It lifts all the dirt off the top layer of skin, while our experts note it doesn't sting or burn already-aggravated areas. Other online reviewers found it more difficult to remove the mask, so keep within the recommended time usage.

Marrying green tea and willowherb ingredients, this Paula's Choice face mask claims to reduce redness while clearing out blackheads. While we haven't tried this pick, our experts named its matching toner the best overall toner for acne — it helped minimize irritation for oily and acne-prone skin types. We appreciate that this clay mask uses powerhouse ingredients like salicylic acid to beat blemishes, plus bentonite to minimize the appearance of pores. While some online Amazon reviewers found it moisturizing and effective at removing blackheads, others said it offered a more gentle formula.

Renowned for its face masks, GlamGlow's charcoal treatment measures up to the hype as a beauty editor go-to for blemishes. It's made with a blend of six acids that work to unclog congested pores. Beauty Editor Dori Price enjoys slathering it on when she feels a breakout coming. “If I think my skin needs a detox, I’ll use it all over, but if blemishes are brewing, I will use it as a spot treatment on certain areas," she says, adding that it purifies her skin. Sensitive skin types should keep in mind that the mask is made with fragrance, which may irritate some.

Soothing and hydrating after removing blackheads, this clay mask doubles down on pores with glycerin, which moisturizes skin to make it feel smooth and plump. Though we haven't tried La Roche-Posay's face mask, the brand's foaming face wash was a Lab favorite for its gentle yet effective formula that was non-irritating on acne-prone skin. It's worth noting that some Dermstore reviewers recalled the effaclar mask was difficult to wash off.

Though our experts haven't tried this in the Lab, we enjoy Neutrogena as a brand, with its hydro-boost cream earning the title as the best overall moisturizer for oily, acne-prone skin. Our pros appreciate that its formula contains benzoyl peroxide, which works to kill certain bacteria that contribute to acne formation. Dr. Li also recommends this 2-in-1 cleanser and mask that helps prevent pimples. Take note that this formula is made with fragrance.

SkinCeuticals Clarifying Clay Mask uses acne-fighting clay and is non-drying thanks to its water-based formula with moisturizing glycerin and soothing aloe. Dr. Li recommends this particular mask to help beat blackheads and clear out congested pores. While we haven't tested this pick, the brand's other hydrating formula made our top face masks roundup. If you're looking for a fragrance-free option, note that it's made with fragrant oils.

With a spreadable, whipped consistency, Vichy's clay mask goes on easy. It's made with aloe vera that aims to hydrate and soothe skin. A GH Beauty Lab and editor go-to for acne-prone (even hormonal), oily skin types, we love Vichy's gel cleanser. Though we haven't tried its clay face mask, our pros appreciate its kaolin-bentonite ingredient coupling that effectively cleans out pores. Keep in mind that some online Vichy customers reported that it felt drying, so be sure to apply a good moisturizer afterward.

Get grime and gunk out of the way with Bioré's creamy mask. Purifying skin with kaolin and conditioning with agave, it's a great find for combination skin types. While we haven't tried this iteration, our pros tried the Whipped Nourishing Detox Mask in our best face masks test and found it left testers with clarified and silky-feeling skin. Uniquely designed to warm up, it can feel like it's actively drawing out impurities. However, some online Amazon reviewers said that they didn't get quite as deep a clean with this mask.

When testing skincare products, GH Beauty Lab scientists distribute label-masked formulas from a variety of brands to a panel of thousands of women across the country with a range of skin types. Consumer testers rate the products on factors like application, texture, scent, ease of use, irritation and look and feel of skin after using according to packaging instructions for a specific time span. GH Beauty Lab experts also take scientific measurements in the Lab using instruments to gauge product results. We gathered this list of products based on our Lab evaluations of face masks, as well as brands that performed well in testing over the years.