The 8 Best Face Masks for Pores of 2021

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Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment Mask at Sephora

Clear congested skin and leave behind a clearer, brighter complexion.

Best Budget:

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay at Amazon

Zaps acne and blemishes in the most natural, effective way possible.

Best Splurge:

Biologique Recherche Creme Masque at Shoprescuespa.com

Emollients in this formula help to create baby skin after one use.

Best Vegan:

Volition Beauty Detoxifying Silt Gelée Mask at Sephora

Get rid the skin of buildup and add hydration thanks to its mineral-rich black silt.

Best Clay:

Kiehl's Deep Pore Cleansing Mask at Sephora

Aloe vera and clay work together to soothe skin and unclog pores.

Best Facial:

Olga Lorencin Facial in a Box at Dermstore

This facial in a box targets oil imbalances and provides exfoliation.

Best for Wrinkles:

Elemis Face Mask at Dermstore

Using a combination of peptides and Nordic Peat, this mask makes for glowing skin.

Best for Removing Makeup:

Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask at Sephora

A restorative mask that makes your pores and makeup disappear.

Pores: can't live without them. We all have them, as they're part of our skin's natural makeup. Pores tend to have a negative connotation, but there isn't anything wrong with them. However, you have every right to want to minimize the look of enlarged or congested pores due to excess oil, dead skin cells, environmental stressors, dirt and debris buildup, and more. Clogged pores can lead to bacterial buildup and acne. An effective way to tend to your pores is masking.

One of the most-praised self-care rituals, masking a few times a week is something we encourage. It can give your pores some much-needed TLC and a good deep clean. When it comes to the best masks for pores, they're not all created equal. Look for clay-based masks made with acids to make your pores feel brand-new. Afterward, your stressed-out skin will feel revitalized and super-smooth. Sometimes, these masks can feel a bit intense, but at least you know they're working.

Keep scrolling for the best face masks for pores when your skin needs a re-up.

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This mud mask takes a no-holds-barred approach when it comes to clearing congested skin to make way for a brighter complexion. Equipped with six acids, this powerful blend deep-cleans your pores which helps make them look noticeably smaller.

4.6

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The internet absolutely loves this best-selling clay mask, which consistently flies off the shelves. It's an intense one, that's for sure (speaking from experience here), but if you want your pores to feel brand-new, this is it.

Biologique Recherche Creme Masque Vernix

View On Shoprescuespa.com

Key Ingredients

Emollients serve as softening and moisture-locking agents, like butters, oils, esters, lipids, and fatty acids. It can also be used to describe a category of products that contain these ingredients, like lotions, creams, and ointments.

Highly praised by Byrdie's associate editorial director, Hallie, who relies on this creamy mask to save her hungover skin, the brand created this to give you "baby skin" that provides a "second birth." With emollients in the formula, your skin will feel like it's enveloped in hydration after using this.

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The thing about pore-fighting masks is they can feel incredibly harsh and uncomfortable on the skin. With the mission of moisturizing and detoxifying the skin at the same time, this gel-based mask promises to get rid of buildup while adding ample hydration thanks to its mineral-rich black silt.

Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Mask

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Key Ingredients

Aloe vera is a naturally derived ingredient known for its soothing and moisturizing properties. The aloe plant's inner gel mucilage (the part that's used in skincare products) is made up of 99.5% water.

You can find bentonite in this whipped clay formula, which may help control shine; along with aloe vera, known to soothe skin; and Amazonian white clay, used to absorb excess oil and detoxify skin, according to the brand. Afterward, your skin will feel deeply cleansed and refreshed.

Olga Lorencin Deep Detox Facial in a Box

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The name says it all: a deep detox facial in a box. Keep congestion and clogged pores from pollution at bay with this mask of active ingredients that can help target oil imbalances while providing gentle exfoliation.

Elemis Peptide 4 Thousand Flower Face Mask

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This comforting mask has a velvety texture that feels so good on the skin. Using a combination of peptides and Nordic Peat, which the brand describes as "organic matter from thousands of flowers rich in humic and fulvic acid," is meant to break up excess oil in your pores and bring on glowing, radiant skin.

origins original skin retexturizing mask with rose clay

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Key Ingredients

Jojoba oil is a natural oil produced from the seed of the chinensis plant, a drought-resistant shrub native to southern Arizona, California, and Mexico. It mimics natural sebum and conditions and seals moisture in the skin without clogging pores or exacerbating acne.

This rose clay mask stays front and center in my routine after nights when I've had way too much fun and forget to take my makeup off (not proud of this, but it's the truth). It's a restorative mask that features Mediterranean rose clay, Canadian willowherb, and exfoliating jojoba beads.

We Hunted Down the Best Drugstore Face Moisturizers—Here They Are

The 8 Best Face Masks for Making Skin Look Virtually Poreless

Best Overall: GlamGlow Supermud Charcoal Instant Treatment Mask

Best Budget: Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay

Best Splurge: Biologique Recherche Creme Masque Vernix

Best Vegan: Volition Beauty Detoxifying Silt Gelée Mask

Best Clay: Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Mask

Best Facial: Olga Lorencin Deep Detox Facial in a Box

Best for Wrinkles: Elemis Peptide 4 Thousand Flower Face Mask

Best for Removing Makeup: Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask With Rose Clay

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