As I'm sure you can tell, I've spent many, many years of my career trying to find the very best clay masks for minimising the apparent size of my pores. In the process, I've wreaked havoc with my skin thanks to bad formulas—I've had major breakouts, eczema flare ups and even peeling from where I've dried my skin out too much from harsh clay mask formulas.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for embracing skin texture, but my pores seem exceptionally large, so I've dedicated many years to finding the best products to lessen their appearance. (Despite what you might have read, pores can't actually shrink—they can just appear to.) And I can safely say the best product out there is a great, hard-working clay mask. You'd be hard-pressed to find a liquid exfoliant with more of a fan club than Paula's Choice 2% BHA. With promises to sweep away dead skin cells, unclog pores, and visibly smooth wrinkles, the minimalist formula is simple and highly effective. See says that the concentration of salicylic acid is "just right," and the fact that it doesn't have many other potential irritants means it's an excellent choice for sensitive or reactive skin. Kaolin and bentonite clays absorb excess oil and reduce impurities,” explains Dr. Graf, which is why we love this mask from Origins that contains both. To simultaneously exfoliate, smooth, and decongest, you won’t regret giving this one a try. This pretty pink mask is formulated with clay (obviously), exfoliating jojoba beads, and soothing willowherb. The gritty little beads gently exfoliate the surface of the skin, while the willowherb and two types of clay work to restore and clarify. Our tester, who regularly uses a mask in her skincare routine, was surprised by how refreshing this mask felt, calling it a “deep cleanse.” After use, her skin felt clean and smooth. It’s also worth noting that the mask comes in a hygienic squeeze tube that deposits the mask into your hands, preventing contamination from grubby fingers.

About

It’s worth noting that although the mask targets pores, avocado oil (an ingredient present in the formula) can be potentially comedogenic for some skin types. We recommend testing the mask on a small patch of skin to see how it will react before applying it to your entire face. When deciding between clay mask formulas, Dr. Graf recommends paying attention to the type of clay. “There are four different types of clay that are used in face masks for skin health,” she explains. “Although the types of clay used in skin products are meant to draw out impurities and gently cleanse the skin, some are better than others for your skin type.” Specifically formulated for melanated skin tones, but recommended for use by all skin tones and types, the smooth consistency and easy application set this product apart. Easy to spread with two fingers, our tester notes that it goes on seamlessly, but does produce a light tingling sensation that isn’t too strong — which might not feel great for those with especially sensitive skin. According to our tester, it feels like a “luxurious cream” that slowly dries down and feels slightly tingly. This didn’t really bother the tester; in fact, she said it was her favorite part about the mask. When she washed it off, she was in complete awe at the state of her skin, going as far as saying that the texture looked as smooth as “a baby’s bottom.” Plus, the pores on her nose—one of her biggest problem areas—looked like they shrunk in a matter of minutes, prompting her to call this mask a “masterpiece.” I tried the mask in all of its multi-use ways: As a cleanser, spot treatment, and and as a mask. As a cleanser, it felt okay — my skin felt clean but a little chalky afterward. I also used it that night as a spot treatment. I woke up the next morning and while the zits weren’t completely gone, they were extremely reduced. The redness went away and continued the following day.

This mask can be a little bit messy to apply with fingertips. It’d benefit from an applicator tool. To use as a face mask, apply an even coat on damp skin after cleansing, leave on for three to five minutes, and rinse.Though inducing glow isn’t the main function of a clay mask (detoxing and clarifying are), this one from Glow Recipe pulls through with the added benefit. “After removing the mask, my skin looks brighter than usual and dewier than I would’ve expected with a clay mask,” explains one of our testers. The hyaluronic acid in the formula goes a long way to provide a boost of hydration, while the detoxifying ingredients (including watermelon enzymes and BHAs) completely clear out skin. Fresh masks cater to your skin’s ever-changing needs—no matter your skin type—delivering powerful benefits while feeling good on your skin. Whether your skin is craving soothing hydration, gentle exfoliation, or a lifted look, you’ll get instant and long-term beauty benefits from incorporating masks into your daily routine. To use as a face mask, apply an even coat on damp skin after cleansing with Soy Face Cleanser, leave on for 3-5 minutes, and rinse. Follow with Kombucha Treatment Essence for smooth, luminous skin. Prudvi Mohan Kaka is the chief scientific officer at Deciem, the parent company of brands such as The Ordinary, NIOD, and more. You may experience some purging, or the skin’s response to an active ingredient that increases cell turnover, in the form of increased breakouts. But don’t worry—this is totally normal and a sign that the mask is actually hard at work getting rid of the gunk in your pores.

This mask has a rich, dark hue. Be careful not to stain your towels during application and rinsing. The texture—which our tester described as “luxurious” and “goopy in a good way”—actually has some grit to it, making it an ideal exfoliator. It doesn’t need a long time to work its glow-enhancing magic; in fact, you can feel free to wash it off after five minutes. Post-wash, our tester was pleased with how refreshed, even, and soft her skin was. Though the mask is worth the splurge, we wish it came in a bigger size to get more out of one tub. Shyamalar Gunthatheesan, MD is a dermatologist and founder of Ode Dermatology in Melbourne, Australia. I’m Umbrian Clay’s No. 1 fan. I’ve talked about it a lot. I am basically its stage mom — I just believe in it so much! Despite a consistent application of retinoid, my chin still likes to surprise me with the occasional pimple when I’m about to get my period. There’s also the added benefit of hyaluronic acid, a humectant that increases skin moisture, resulting in a plumper, more supple complexion. We appreciate that the texture is lightweight and it effectively exfoliates the skin, though beware that it can sting a bit when first applied, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Finding the right clay mask for your skin can be a little confusing, though, so we did the leg-work for you by speaking with four different skincare experts (from dermatologists to nurse practitioners and estheticians) to break down how clay masks really work. Then, we brought together 21 beauty obsessives to try out 24 different clay masks and report on their results. Through the testing process, we analyzed factors such as moisture levels, ease of application and removal, texture, comfort, feel, efficacy, and skin improvements. Kornhauser A, Coelho SG, Hearing VJ. Applications of hydroxy acids: classification, mechanisms, and photoactivity. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2010;3:135-142. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S9042 Ultimately, how long you use your clay mask depends on the mask being used and your skin type. It’s important to remember that clay can be a powerful ingredient, so try to ease into it by starting to use it once a week. Solum Fullonum (Fuller's Earth), Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Fusanus Spicatus Wood Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Water, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Sodium Chloride, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Farnesol, Linalool