I’ve tried 30+ mud masks, and here are my 5 favorites

Written by Jenny Wu • Last updated: April 9, 2020

One of the earliest skincare products I started using? Masks, specifically mud masks, thanks to my super oily teenage skin. Even though my skin has balanced out over the years, I still love a weekly mud mask deep cleansing treatment. Of the 30+ (I actually counted) masks I’ve tried, these 5 are my favorites:

Grown Alchemist Deep Cleansing Masque

I got this in my FabFitBox and it was love at first use. It has a light fluffy texture, almost like a mousse, that just feels very comfortable on the skin. It features bentonite and kaolin as its main clay (more on those later), but also oils rich in fatty acids to moisturize and antioxidants to soothe/brighten/all that good stuff. The most important thing is that it not only cleans well, but my skin doesn’t feel dry and actually has a slight glow after using this!

→ full ingredients
→ $39 on Ulta, Net-a-Porter, Revolve

bliss Pore Patrol Mask*

I consider this an affordable alternative to the Grown Alchemist mask. It has the same light fluffy texture, but features 4 clays instead of 2: kaolin, bentonite, green clay, and french clay. While it doesn’t have the emollient oils, it does have a few antioxidants and humectants, so it’s still less drying than your usual mud masks. Results are cleaner pores, balanced skin, and a very happy wallet.

→ full ingredients
→ $9.99 – $16 on RileyRose, Target, Bliss

Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque

My favorite Kiehl’s mask and the best one imo to deep clean those pores. Texture wise it’s not very pleasant – thick and kind of difficult to apply, and when it dries it can feel tight and uncomfortable. This also contains bentonite and kaolin, but also aloe vera juice, oat kernel flour, and allantoin to help soothe any of the discomfort. Pores? I don’t know them (or at least for the next 24 hours).

→ full ingredients
→ $33 on Sephora, Kiehl’s, Harrods

Boscia Charcoal Pore Pudding Intensive Wash-Off Treatment

Such a fun mask because look at the black and white swirls! This mask features kaolin and French clay, but also charcoal to enhance the deep cleansing effect. It’s also got 3 major humectants – hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and diglycerin – which makes this mask feel much less drying than the Kiehl’s mask while providing similar results. Also did I mention the fun texture?

→ full ingredients
→ $30-$38 on Amazon, Sephora, Ulta, and Macy’s

Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor Mud Mask

I finished my last jar but I love how it’s so different from all these other mud masks, as in it actually hydrates and deep cleans simultaneously. In addition to kaolin and bentonite, it also contains peat (aka Irish Moor Mud), which is not only full of nutrients but also anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. Skin feels soft, plump, and of course cleaner whenever I use this. And that’s why this has been a a favorite since 2017.

→ full ingredients
→ $33 at Macy’s; $58 at Dermstore, Sephora, Peter Thomas Roth (use code geekyposhe_PTR30 for 30% off!)

Common clays in masks

Generally all clays work as absorbents by drawing sebum and other gunk from the skin. They’re also full of trace minerals that can be beneficial for the skin, but with the short amount of time they’re on your skin, those benefits are limited. Here’s a rundown of the most common ones:

Bentonite – One of the most absorbent clays, it’s also negatively charged meaning it can attract things with a positive charge, like bacteria, to the surface. It comes in a variety of colors: pink, white, yellow, and green, each with different concentrations of minerals, but generally they’ll deliver the same deep cleaning results.
Kaolin – Less absorbent than bentonite, it’s the gentlest and least drying of clays, particularly white kaolin clay. A good option for those with more sensitive skin.
Montmorillonite/French Clay – So bentonite is actually majority Montmorillonite and a bit of other minerals, so it’s not surprising this provides similar benefits. French (Montmorillonite) Clay is specifically unearthed in Southern France and is supposed to richer in minerals compared to other clays.
Illite/Green Clay/Red clay – A less common clay that’s actually more absorbent (and drying) than Montmorillonite. The different colors are due to different mineral content, with the red being rich in iron oxide.
Rose Clay – This pink clay is just a mix of Red Illite Clay + kaolin, making it slightly gentler while potentially providing some mineral benefits. Also it’s pink and millennials love that.
Rhassoul Clay/Moroccan Red Clay – Sourced from mountains in Morocco, this clay is rich in magnesium and silica, highly absorbent, but still gentle.
Moor mud/Peat – So this technically isn’t clay, but mud formed via plant decomposition, making it rich in enzymes, amino acids, minerals, and vitamins. In addition to deep cleaning, it’s also anti-inflammatory.

You’ll notice a lot of clays are named after colors and the regions they’re sourced, both which determine their mineral content. But for the most part these names are more marketing tactics, and if you take a closer look at the ingredients, most of the time you’ll see either bentonite and/or kaolin.

My clay masking tips

Are you still applying your clay masks all over and waiting for it to dry completely? If yes, read on.

Unless you have oily skin, focus on the t-zones where sebum production is highest. The only thing these masks will give your dry cheeks are just fine lines, instead apply a moisturizing mask there instead!
Mist continuously to keep your mask from drying out, and subsequently your skin from drying out.
Mask right before you shower and let the steam soften the skin, allowing the deep cleaning ingredients to work even better. Also they’re so much easier to wash off in the shower.

Have you tried any of these masks before? Which one do you swear by to help deep clean your skin?

* was provided for review purposes but all opinions are 100% honest and my own. This post contains affiliate links, and each purchase helps cover the cost of running this blog at no extra cost to you! Full disclosure policy

Written by Jenny Wu

Passionate about science-based skincare. Tested hundreds if not thousands of products since my 20's. Working regularly with brands like iHerb, Ulta, CurrentBody, and MedStar Health to share my knowledge and experience in all things beauty. Learn more.

Skin profile - 35+, dry/combination, focused on well-aging, hydration, and a healthy glow ✨