Evidence of the Aztec’s lathering clay onto their skin as part of beauty rituals dates back as far as 4,000 years. Fast forward to the present day, and mineral-rich clay masks have well and truly secured their seat at the skin care heavy-hitters table.
Best known for their ability to draw out oil, dirt and other impurities, clay masks make way for clear skin and unclogged pores in as little as a 10 minute session. Not to mention, they make the best accessory for a cute ‘self-care Sunday’ selfie.
However, when it comes to these congestion-fighting masks, there’s clay and then there’s clay.
While some products boast the usual detoxifying benefits, they can also leave behind dryness and irritation. And others, formulated with a far higher quality clay, mixed with soothing botanicals and hydrating vitamins, will make for a far more gentle exfoliation. Leaving the skin clean, not cleaned out.
Here are our top eight picks of the best detoxifying and skin brightening clay masks on the market…
L’Oréal Paris Pure Clay Purifying + Mattifying Eucalyptus Mask
Sukin Naturals Pink Clay Masque
Swisse Manuka Honey Detoxifying Clay Mask
Alya Skin Pink Clay Mask
La Mav® Green Clay Detox Mask
SkinCeuticals Clarifying Clay Masque
Essano Clarifying Clay Masque
Burt’s Bees Detoxifying Clay Mask
Main image credit: @jlbabe
Do you use a clay mask? If so, which is your favourite?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned?
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I love good masks and there are a few up my sleeve! The Retreatment mask is special because of it's ingredients and I feel like I can really trust it with my skin (after all it's ONJ's product) but I love several clay masks and like to rotate them a bit.
I have combination skin with clogged pores, and I've tried a lot of clay masks. The Swisse Manuka Honey mask is my holy grail, after trying almost all the Sukin ones and generation clay. The swisse mask has enough strength to draw out excess oil from pores and yet doesn't dry out your skin. Great stuff.
I’ve used the Sukin and Essano ones and quite like them. I just can’t use them too often or I’ll dry out. I like sheet masks but they produce much more waste.
I have tried Sand & Sky's pink clay mask, it is really good! The Sukin one looks interesting might give it a go! Also Go-to have a new clay mask which I am wanting to try!
I don't have a favourite clay mask. I currently have Alya but I haven't noticed a difference in my skin. It's so popular and has great reviews but I was left disappointed. I do have the Loreal clay mask but the brown one in my cupboard that I'm yet to try.
Some good recommendations here, I've been using Sand and Sky pink clay mask but the Sukin one sounds good, especially as other Beauties are saying how good it is
I am currently using the Swisse clay mask and I really like it. It has been the only one so far that I have used that doesn't make my skin feel parched afterwards. It just leaves my skin nice and soft and squeaky clean. The other ones I have tried left my skin dehydrated, itchy and quite red.
Not to mention that the Swisse mask doesn't cost an arm and a leg! Especially when you get it 50% off like I did 😉
Love the Essano and Sukin ones! Sukin regularly comes up 50% at either the supermarkets or priceline/chemist warehouse, when half price it is so cheap and effective brand. I also enjoy their natural deo and face mist, among their other products. Really want to try some of their body washes too when I run out.
I love Sukin's pink clay mask! My skin always feels amazing after I use it
That’s a great endorsement!
So many great Clay Masks would like to try the Swisse Manuka Honey Detoxifying Clay Mask Mask sounds Wonderful.
My SIL swears by it!
Like to try La Mav.
I love good masks and there are a few up my sleeve! The Retreatment mask is special because of it's ingredients and I feel like I can really trust it with my skin (after all it's ONJ's product) but I love several clay masks and like to rotate them a bit.
I have sukin, generation clay, sand sky and essano ones. One by one…almost empty =D
Really enjoy using them.
The swisse manuka honey looks really nice and would leave your skin softer too.
I love Sukin Super Greens Detoxifying Clay Masque. I've meant to try Sukin Pink Clay, but I keep repurchasing the Super Greens.
They sound amazing! I've only tried the L'Oreal clay masks, however would love to try Sukin and La Mav
I have combination skin with clogged pores, and I've tried a lot of clay masks. The Swisse Manuka Honey mask is my holy grail, after trying almost all the Sukin ones and generation clay. The swisse mask has enough strength to draw out excess oil from pores and yet doesn't dry out your skin. Great stuff.
Was just on the hunt for a clay mask
I have used the Swisse Manuka Honey one and its amazing, but somehow, I keep going back to Glamglow, they are superb
Im more into using the sheet masks at the moment. The Neutrogena hydro boost masks are lovely.
I love clay masks, they really clear out my skin. My favourite is the GlamGlow white one, it's so expensive but works brilliantly
I just love love love masks
Ole Henriksen Cold Plunge, Generation Clay & Antipodes Halo should be on this list, they are awesome clay masks ♡♡
I’ve used the Sukin and Essano ones and quite like them. I just can’t use them too often or I’ll dry out. I like sheet masks but they produce much more waste.
I haven't tried any of these, but a few of them sound really good.
I need to use some masks!
I have not found my holy grail clay face mask. They are good and I have used a few on this list but nothing matches the claims against these products.
I have tried Sand & Sky's pink clay mask, it is really good! The Sukin one looks interesting might give it a go! Also Go-to have a new clay mask which I am wanting to try!
The Sukin Pink Clay mask looks good. I'd like to try this one. Thanks for the information.
I've tried the Sukin pink clay mask and it's really effective. I haven't tried any of the others … yet.
The Sukin clay mask is excellent.
Id like to try the La Mav mask.
Oh the La Mav Green Clay Detox Mask sounds perfectly suited to my skin needs. I have had mixed results with the Clay masks.
I don't have a favourite clay mask. I currently have Alya but I haven't noticed a difference in my skin. It's so popular and has great reviews but I was left disappointed. I do have the Loreal clay mask but the brown one in my cupboard that I'm yet to try.
I love the L'Oreal clay masks work beautifully to freshen up my skin.
Some good recommendations here, I've been using Sand and Sky pink clay mask but the Sukin one sounds good, especially as other Beauties are saying how good it is
So many options! I'm currently using the Sukin one, which is pretty good
I make my own clay masks and they are also really nice as a scalp mask. My hair feels amazing afterwards.
Do you buy your kaolin from New Directions?
Love a good clay mask, using the Suking pink clay one at the moment and have the Swisse one also.
Sure do! I use the Essano mask mentioned in the article & I love it. Onto my 2nd or 3rd tub of it right now.
Oooh! That’s a glowing recommendation- excuse the pun!
Thanks. Good to know.
Clever to make your own masks. Glad they work well.
I am currently using the Swisse clay mask and I really like it. It has been the only one so far that I have used that doesn't make my skin feel parched afterwards. It just leaves my skin nice and soft and squeaky clean. The other ones I have tried left my skin dehydrated, itchy and quite red.
Not to mention that the Swisse mask doesn't cost an arm and a leg! Especially when you get it 50% off like I did 😉
I’ve heard wonderful things about it!
Isn’t it $10 or something similar?
I have tried Essano, but I wasn’t keen on it. I’d like to try La Mav.
I’m keen to try La Mav too!
Love the Essano and Sukin ones! Sukin regularly comes up 50% at either the supermarkets or priceline/chemist warehouse, when half price it is so cheap and effective brand. I also enjoy their natural deo and face mist, among their other products. Really want to try some of their body washes too when I run out.
Thanks for the tips!
I love a good clay mask!
A great lineup of products here BH!