17 Best Blackhead Face Masks That *Actually* Work
Please read before buying those pore strips.
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Before we get into all the best blackhead masks (plus a lil PSA on why those very aggro pore strips and blackhead removal tools are not your answer), here’s a quick breakdown of what a blackhead actually is: “A blackhead is a waxy plug made of oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria that gets lodged into your pore and blocks it,” dermatologist Zoe Draelos, MD, has told Cosmopolitan. As the wax plug gets pushed towards the surface of the skin, she explains, the air oxidizes it and turns it black. Fun, right?
And while blackheads can be annoying, they're are also completely normal and found on every single human's skin. But if you want to introduce a new step into your skincare routine to help reduce the appearance of pores and blackheads, you can try experimenting with a gentle blackhead mask, which can help exfoliate your pores and absorb excess oils. Keep scrolling for the full breakdown of the masks, or pause here for a few of our top picks.
Best Blackhead Mask with Exfoliating Acids
Ren Clean Skincare Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask
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Now for the very important PSA: Please stop trying to "rip" out your blackheads with peel-off masks. Not only are these strips and masks just way too harsh for your skin, but they can actually cause your pores to enlarge over time—thus creating even worse blackheads—by damaging your skin's collagen. And even though they give you some instant satisfaction, you should know that your pores will just fill right back up again—usually within a day or two.
Instead, opt for a gentler, non-peel mask spiked with salicylic acid and clay to help dissolve and absorb the oil and makeup in your pores without damaging your skin. To help you transition away from peel-off masks and towards the actually helpful ones, I found 17 really good blackhead masks for you to try ASAP—just keep scrolling.
Pros
- Salicylic acid exfoliates pores
Cons
- Can be irritating for sensitive skin
The MVP of this blackhead mask is salicylic acid. “Because salicylic acid is an anti-inflammatory ingredient, it also decreases the redness and irritation that comes with tender pimples,” Rachel Nazarian, MD, of Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York has told Cosmo. She explains that it gently exfoliates, which helps prevent blackheads and acne too.
Pros
- Made with soothing ingredients
Cons
- Peel-off masks can be too harsh on skin
I said it 10 seconds ago and I’ll say it again: Peel-off masks are too harsh for your skin. But if you simply cannot live without physically seeing the build-up from your pores on the back of a black mask, opt for this one which is spiked with oat extract to soothe your skin and help prevent irritation.
Pros
- Chemically exfoliates
Cons
- Has a strong smell
Thanks to a combo of lactic and glycolic acids, dead skin cells and oil build-up in your pores will be gently dissolved away with each use. Smooth it over your skin and let it sit for ten minutes before rinsing off and following up with your regular skincare routine.
Pros
- Mess-free
Cons
- Peel-off masks can be irritating
The worst part about masks is the inevitable and inescapable mess that comes with applying and removing them. Luckily, this mask comes with its own applicator so you can easily spread it on your face without getting it caked under your fingernails.
Pros
- Made with hyaluronic acid
Cons
- Tends to pill
PSA: If your mask leaves you with tight-feeling skin, it’s too drying. Enter this exfoliating mask, which not only will help dissolve build-up and prevent blackheads, but it will also keep your face hydrated and plump thanks to hyaluronic acid.
Pros
- Exofoliating
Cons
- Can be drying
The kaolin clay and charcoal powder will work together to absorb the excess sebum hiding in your pores, reducing their appearance and helping to prevent blackheads. Trust me, if you have oily skin, this one will be your best friend.
Pros
- Can be used daily or weekly
Cons
- Has a strong smell
Welcome to the most versatile blackhead mask, which can be used as a daily cleanser or as an occasional mask as needed. If your blackheads are in need of some urgent TLC, start by cleansing morning and night so the kaolin clay can get to work to exfoliate the excess sebum and oils clogging your pores, or slather it on your face weekly for a boost of exfoliation.
Pros
- Temporarily unclogs pores
Cons
- Can be painful to remove
I like this mask for two main reasons: (1) Unlike a nose strip, there’s no aggressive ripping involved, and (2), it’s made with soothing witch hazel to help prevent redness or irritation (although if you have sensitive skin, def just skip the peel-offs altogether). Smooth a thick layer of the mask over your face (or just the area you want to target), let it sit for 20 minutes, then gently and slowly lift the edge of the mask and peel it off.
Pros
- Easy to use
Cons
- Not much product in the stick applicator
Salicylic acid doesn’t just exfoliate the surface of the skin like other acids—it gets into the pores, which is what makes it so freaking great for blackheads. And it’s a major ingredient in this blackhead mask stick, which is basically the most mess-free mask you’ll ever encounter. Just roll it over your face for light coverage, leave on for ten minutes and then rinse, or unscrew the main cap and squeeze a generous amount over your face for a more in-depth treatment.
Pros
- Made with soothing allantoin
Cons
- Not good for sensitive skin
The blackheads on my nose don’t stand a chance against the team of kaolin, salicylic acid, malic acid, and soothing allantoin and aloe. Basically, it’s prepared to demolish all your blackheads while soothing any inflamed skin in the process.
Pros
- Removes dead skin
Cons
- Expensive
Volcanic ash (yes, actual ash from volcanoes) helps exfoliate your skin gently in this clay mask. Smooth it over your skin and leave it on for 15 minutes, up to twice a week, and watch your blackheads slowly fade away.
Pros
- Oil-absorbing formula
Cons
- Made with essential oils
This blackhead face mask is loved for its 100 percent natural formula and super pretty packaging. Smooth a thick layer on clean skin, leave it on for 20 minutes, and let the combination of oil-absorbing white clay and pore-minimizing papaya enzymes get to ~werk~.
Pros
- Multitasks as cleanser and mask
Cons
- Can be drying
I'm a sucker for hybrid formulas—like, why buy two products when you can get one that does it all, you know? This weekly face mask—which is spiked with benzoyl peroxide to treat zits and blackheads simultaneously—moonlights as an acne cleanser that's gentle enough to use daily.
Pros
- Unclogs pores
Cons
- Too harsh for sensitive skin
Don't worry: Just 'cause you can't use a peel-off face mask, doesn't mean your alternative has to be boring-AF. This blackhead face mask from Dermalogica fizzes up in three to five minutes, and its sulfur-and-clay formula works to unclog pores, absorb excess oil, and hydrate your skin.
Pros
- Hydrating formula
Cons
- Not a lot of product
If the fact that this blackhead face mask is less than $20 doesn't immediately sell you, its crazy-effective formula certainly will. A combination of blackhead-clearing charcoal and antioxidant-rich acai oil will leave your skin smooth and hydrated every time.
Pros
- Made with moisturizing ingredients
Cons
- Pricey
If blackhead face masks tend to leave your typically dry skin even dryer, you'll love this super-hydrating pick from Volition. Alongside blackhead-fighting ingredients like black slit, it's loaded with hydrators like jojoba oil and squalane to keep your moisture barrier in check.
Pros
- Anti-inflammatory
Cons
- Not ideal for dry skin types
The hero ingredient in this blackhead face mask? Egg whites, which are loaded with vitamins, calcium, potassium, and amino acids (translation: they taste good in your omelette and do wonders for your skin). And thanks to egg whites' anti-inflammatory and oil-regulating abilities, they're super effective at cleaning out your pores and minimizing your blackheads, too.
What to look for in a blackhead mask
Check the ingredients
Salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and kaolin clay are three common ingredients in these blackhead masks that will slowly dissolve the ~stuff~ in your pores with each use. After exfoliation, you want to make sure the mask won’t strip away your skin’s moisture—so look for oils (like jojoba oil) and butters (hi, shea butter) that indicate this mask will leave you feeling smooth and soft, not dry and tight.
Consider your skin type
If you have sensitive skin, you’re probably no stranger to parsing ingredients and worrying that something will irritate you. Steer clear of masks with essential oils or physical exfoliators (like shells or beads), and opt for formulas with soothing ingredients (like aloe and allantoin). Working with dry skin? Opt for blackhead masks packed with hydrators like jojoba oil and hyaluronic acid that won’t strip your moisture. And for oily skin types: Look for charcoal masks that will help absorb excess sebum and oil as well as exfoliate your pores.
Meet the experts
- Rachel Nazarian, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York, NY. Dr. Nazarian is also a member of faculty at Mount Sinai’s Medical Center of Dermatology. She has spoken with Cosmopolitan on the topic of salicylic acid.
- Zoe Draelos, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Dermatology Consulting Services, PLLC, based in High Point, NC who specializes in dermatological research. Dr. Draelos has spoken with Cosmopolitan on the topic of how to get rid of blackheads.
Sami Roberts was the previous beauty assistant at Cosmopolitan. Keep up with her cat-filled life in New York on Instagram.
Ruby was the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covered beauty across print and digital. Her work has appeared on The Zoe Report, Fashionista, and StyleCaster. Follow her on Instagram.
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