14 Charcoal Face Masks and Washes for Clearer Skin
Let's get down to the (dirty) details.
Outside the beauty space, charcoal is associated with anything but cleanliness,
Boscia Luminizing Pink Mask With Charcoal
$34 BUY NOW
Surprise! This peel-off charcoal mask is pink, but that's only part of the reason why we couldn't wait to try it. This mineral-rich mask exfoliates, brightens, and purifies skin, all with a rosy hue that's begging to be Instagrammed.
Boscia Charcoal Jelly Ball Cleaner
$20 BUY NOW
Boscia's jelly-made orb is one of the coolest beauty innovations. Think of this unique skin care ball as a soapy alternative that'll last you for just as many — if not more — washes. Infused with activated black bamboo charcoal, hinoki oil to minimize the appearance of pores, and Tamarindus indica seed gum for a soothing effect rich in antioxidants, this product detoxifies pores and works especially well on excessively oily skin.
Herbivore Bamboo Charcoal Detoxifying Soap Bar
$12 BUY NOW
You don't have to invest in pricey masks and balms to hop on the charcoal train; all of the benefits you'd find in a body wash or scrub can be found in Herbivore's charcoal face and body soap bar. A savior for oily, combination, and/or acne-prone skin, give pores a soapy rinse with this pick for ultimate relief.
Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Exfoliating Cleansing Powder to Clear Pores
$30 BUY NOW
Origins' charcoal powder features ingredients sourced from the Earth — like bamboo charcoal and Kaolin clay — to protect skin against environmental stressors and unclog polluted pores. The lather and rinse were also made with walnuts to up skin's omega-3 fatty acid intake, making this mix a necessary inclusion at the start or end of the day to flush out toxins.
GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment
$69 BUY NOW
Clinically proven to reduce a range of skin impurities, including acne, razor irritation, and ingrown hairs, GlamGlow's Supermud gives skin a breather by decongesting and washing away dirt, resulting in a complexion that glows.
Sephora Collection Blotting Papers
$8 BUY NOW
If your oily skin is almost too excessive to control, Sephora Collection's Charcoal Blotting Papers are an excellent tagalong tool to add to your glam stash. Each set includes 100 naturally infused sheets that'll mattify and nourish your complexion with every use.
Fresh Umbrian Clay Purifying Mask
$62 BUY NOW
Consider this mask an ultra luxe, acne-fighting, at-home spa treatment you'll use over and over again. Formulated with charcoal-toned umbrian clay, sandalwood oil, and lavender water, it can be used interchangeably as a purifying mask, deep cleanser, or spot treatment. If you're unfamiliar with clay or mud masks, they tend to be heavier than a gel, so you need to only apply a small amount.
Bioré Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser
$6 BUY NOW
Bioré's secret weapon to healthier skin looks dirty, but it rinses skin clean. Made from a Japanese purifying technology, it's a foaming facial cleanser that clears clogged pores for skin that's dirt-free.
Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Charcoal Mask
$27 BUY NOW
By adding charcoal powder to the mix, Clinique's refining mask scrubs out stubborn debris, while a touch of mineral clay absorbs excess oils for a gorgeous complexion that's noticeably clean.
DTRT First Thing First Face Scrub
$34 BUY NOW
Exfoliating beads can feel luxurious, while others are just plain artificial. Pass on that questionable pearly wash and treat your skin to DTRT's all-natural cleanse, made with apricot seed and Moroccan clay. Unlike daily treatments, First Thing First Face Scrub should be used sparingly — two to three times a week max — and massaged into damp skin before rinsing.
Lush Cosmetics Coalface Cleanser
$24 BUY NOW
Interested in a more traditional scrub? Lush's not-so-basic charcoal cleanser, inspired by Annie Hall's complexion bar, resembles a uniquely shaped bar of soap, and it was designed to exfoliate skin while also absorbing excess sebum. It sounds a bit like tough love, but a blend of rosewood and sandalwood oils make sure skin won't break out or become irritated.
Yes to Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Cleanser
$9 BUY NOW
The beauty industry's saying "yes" to charcoal cleanser, but Yes To is taking skin care a step or two further by combining the ashy residue with tomato extract and jojoba spheres for a soothing exfoliant that cleans out deeply clogged pores.
Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask
$27 BUY NOW
This top-selling mask is great for most skin types, even sensitive ones. It clears pores, smooths your skin's surface, and leaves you glowing. Need we say more?
Curaprox Black is White + Toothbrush Set
$24 BUY NOW
OK, so this isn't a face mask or skin care product, but as a dedicated user of Black is White's charcoal toothpaste, this beauty ed can vouch for its amazing results. Although you'll be waiting a week or two for visible results, the gradual difference is significant. Made with activated carbon sans abrading or bleaching, it's an incredibly unique alternative to regular toothpaste that'll brighten your teeth and boost your oral health.
Julia Horniacek is the former fashion and beauty editor for BestProducts.com. When she's not resisting the “add to cart” button on e-commerce sites or chocolate everything, she's a fitness fanatic you’ll find at the gym, sipping an array of seasonal decaffeinated beverages or documenting her life via Insta pics.
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