Which are the best face masks for oily skin?

How do they help minimize shine?

How often can you use a mask to treat oily skin?

Let’s find the answers to those questions and more in the reviews below.

How do face masks help oily skin?

Right now, if you do a search for “face mask,” you’re likely to get a mixed bag of results.

Some will be sheet masks, others will be wash-off masks, and the rest will be personal protective equipment (PPE). To be clear, these reviews include only sheet masks and wash-off masks.

Of course, if you’re wearing personal protective equipment every day, your skin might be oilier than usual.

Therefore, let’s talk about how face masks for beauty improve oily skin.

Even when you’re washing your face twice a day and using oil-free products, your complexion probably still gets shiny (1).

A mud mask can help reduce oiliness.

It draws out excess sebum and impurities to keep the pores clear. It may also exfoliate.

Using a mask for oily skin once or twice a week mattifies the complexion.

But be careful to not overuse it as it may dry out the skin (2).

Which type of face mask is best for oily skin?

Between sheet masks and wash-off masks, which are best for oily skin?

In general, I’d recommend wash-off masks, including mud, clay, and gel masks.

These absorb oil and draw out impurities. They also exfoliate better than a sheet mask can.

But there’s nothing wrong with the occasional sheet mask, especially if it has acne-fighting ingredients like tea tree oil.

Stay away from oily masks, however.

If you want to use a hydrating mask, try one that’s non-comedogenic. It’ll have a serum with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and lightweight moisturizers.

Top Face Masks for Oily Skin

Now, let’s get started with the reviews.

Olay Shine Control with Tea Tree Extract, Facial Mask Stick

Some of the best drugstore face masks for oily skin are made by Olay.

They come in a stick applicator, which makes them much less messy to use.

Plus, you can multi-mask with them very easily. This is simply combining more than one mask on your face at the same time.

For example, you might apply this tea tree mask over zones where you tend to breakout. Then use the charcoal mask below for the rest of your face.

Apply them both to clean, dry skin.

Leave the masks on for ten minutes then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.

The tea tree extract fights bacteria and inflammation. Meanwhile, kaolin clay soaks up impurities and removes dead skin.

Olay, Clay Charcoal Facial Mask Stick

Are charcoal masks good for oily skin? Yes, charcoal masks are often recommended for oily skin.

What’s more, this mask from Olay also contains kaolin clay to improve exfoliation and trap impurities.

It comes in an applicator similar to roll-on deodorant, which makes it straightforward to apply precisely where you want it.

Use it together with the stick mask above to multi-mask oily, acne-prone skin.

Bioré Charcoal Instantly Warming Clay Facial Mask

Here’s another drugstore mask from the same folks that make those nifty pore strips.

What’s interesting about this mask is that it heats on contact with water.

If you put it on wet skin and massage for about a minute, it opens up pores. That helps it decongest the skin better than the typical mask.

Then, you can rinse away all the gunk and leave your complexion tingly fresh.

Don’t worry, the heat doesn’t hurt. Instead, it has a little menthol so that it feels cool at the same time.

If you’re not sold on it yet, just know that it’s dermatologist-tested and oil-free. You can use it up to three times per week.

Proactiv Skin Purifying Mask

Among all the face masks for oily skin and acne, this one stands out. It contains 6% sulfur, a potent anti-acne medication.

The sulfur helps pimples heal faster. It also prevents new ones from forming.

While the mask detoxifies the skin, it also shrinks pores and absorbs excess oil.

Moreover, you can use the mask as a spot treatment overnight.

Bioré Blue Agave + Baking Soda Clay Mask

Bioré also makes a baking soda mask that’s suitable for oily or combination skin.

Like the charcoal mask, it absorbs grease and impurities. It also exfoliates, but it’s a little gentler.

It warms when it comes in contact with water to help your pores open. Plus, it creates a tingly fresh sensation at the same time.

It doesn’t harden, and it’s not difficult to rinse. Just one minute of treatment is enough to leave the complexion mattified and soft.

ZOMBIE BEAUTY Mummy Pack by SKIN1004

Here’s an innovative mask with an entertaining concept. After all, we do look kind of scary when we put our masks on, don’t we?

The Mummy Mask is made for purifying pores and preventing signs of aging.

It contains albumin powder, also known as egg white. It tightens pores and brightens the complexion.

Then, it has truffle extract to purify and moisturize the skin.

Finally, it contains charcoal powder and extracts from berries, black sesame, and black beans. These increase the skin’s elasticity to smooth wrinkles.

The package comes with powder, activator, and an applicator brush. Once you mix the ingredients and apply the mask, wait ten minutes before washing it off.

Now, there’s something you should know about this unique product.

It allows you to diagnose your skin’s health.

No joke – look at the patterns it forms on the skin after ten minutes. Where it cracks, your skin is dehydrated. And where it’s bumpy, your skin needs more elasticity.

Cetaphil Pro Dermacontrol Purifying Clay Mask

Cetaphil’s clay mask is highly recommended for sensitive, oily skin. It can be used up to three times per week.

It has a creamy texture, but it’s oil-free and has no artificial fragrance.

It features glycerin to draw in moisture and prevent dryness. Then, there are two types of clay to reduce oiliness and remove toxins.

Lastly, it has cucumber and apple extract to even out skin tone.

Paula’s Choice – CLEAR Purifying Clay Face Mask

One of my favorite face masks for oily skin and large pores is made by Paula’s Choice. I like this company’s products for two reasons.

First, they never include fragrances and parabens, plus they avoid other harsh ingredients. And second, they explain the purpose of every component so that you know what you’re getting.

The mask promises to mattify the complexion, shrink pores, and reduce inflammation and acne. To that end, it contains salicylic acid, absorbent clay, green tea, and chamomile.

Independent clinical trials support the company’s claims about this mask. Ninety-six percent of the participants reported that their pores looked smaller after using it. Next, eighty-eight percent had less acne with regular use.

L’Oreal Paris Skincare Pure-Clay Face Mask with Eucalyptus

If you have a hard time choosing between L’Oreal’s clay masks, I suggest you try them all.

But those with oily skin can immediately benefit from the one with eucalyptus. Over time, it promises to improve the complexion by refining the pores.

Of course, immediately after using it, your skin should feel softer and cleaner. Some users prefer to apply it in the morning to reduce shine throughout the day.

Each tiny jar is good for about ten applications. But please don’t use it more than three times per week.

Also, it’s so potent that you won’t want to leave it on for more than fifteen minutes to prevent dryness.

Mario Badescu Special Mask for Oily Skin

The simple blend of clay and calamine keeps blemishes away. It clears up blackheads and leaves the skin feeling like silk.

The mask decongests pores in just twenty minutes. You don’t even need to put on more than a thin layer.

Then, rinse with lukewarm water before you moisturize.

FaceTory Soothe Me Tea Tree 2-Step Sheet Mask for Acne-Prone Skin

Here’s one of the best Korean sheet masks for oily skin and pimples. It also fades hyperpigmentation like acne scars.

It uses tea tree oil to fight blemishes. But it also has chamomile, rose, and jasmine to calm inflammation.

The mask itself is made of Cupra, a natural cotton fabric. It comes with an ampoule filled with a soothing serum blend of natural extracts.

Users say that they are pleased that it fits their face, unlike some sheet masks. Plus, it smells delicious and tingles while it works.

Happily, it doesn’t contain sulfates or parabens, and it’s cruelty-free.

Advanced Clinicals Tea Tree Oil Mask

This is a gel mask with tea tree oil and witch hazel that you wear overnight once a week.

It shrinks large pores and fights acne while you sleep.

The refreshing texture won’t dry out the skin – instead, it moisturizes with vitamin E and aloe.

Furthermore, it’s free of parabens, alcohol, and mineral oil. Try it and see what you think. After all, it comes with a money-back guarantee.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Face Mask

In only 5 minutes, a thin layer of this mask will mattify your face and tighten pores.

It features argilla and kaolin clay to pull out dirt and pollution as well as excess oil. After this purification, the pores are less noticeable, and the skin is clean and smooth.

Fortunately, it’s paraben-free, too.

Aztec Secret – Indian Healing Clay

If you don’t mind doing the work, this is a base ingredient for a DIY mask for oily skin. Yes, it’s a jar of dry bentonite clay.

That’s it, there are no other ingredients. So what do you need to use it?

Mix it with apple cider vinegar to turn it into mud. No, it’s not going to smell very nice. But the goal is to get rid of all that excess oil, right?

This detoxifying clay mask is as pure and natural and basic as you can get.

The bentonite clay is both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, which means it helps with acne as well.

Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask

If you’re tired of dealing with reddened skin, you’ve got to give this volcanic clay mask a try. Users say it calms the complexion and improves its tone and texture.

With volcanic ash, the mask removes sebum and exfoliates dead skin.

Meanwhile, it provides a pleasant cooling sensation.

Acure Incredibly Clear Charcoal Lemonade Mask

Acure makes a natural face mask for oily skin out of lemon, charcoal, and clay.

It’s both vegan and cruelty-free. Also, it’s free of mineral oil, parabens, and formaldehyde.

Just be clear, it’s not wholly oil-free. It has grape seed oil, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The oil is vitamin-rich and helps keep the skin young.

The mask also has glycerin and shea butter to prevent dehydration.

O Naturals Lemon Vitamin B Gel Mask

Are there any anti-aging face masks for oily skin?

This one is a good example.

It takes ten minutes to balance oil production, refine pores, and treat premature aging.

The gel has lemon oil, an antiseptic ingredient with natural astringent properties. It gets rid of impurities.

Then, it’s infused with antioxidants to smooth wrinkles and fine lines.

With a dose of hyaluronic acid, it also rehydrates without congesting pores.

Bliss Pore Patrol Deep Detox Four-Clay Souffle Mask

The Bliss soufflé mask exfoliates with French green clay, kaolin, and sea mud to rejuvenate your complexion. It’s like a spa treatment for oily skin.

The blend detoxifies the pores with the help of willow bark extract. Willow bark is a natural component of salicylic acid, an anti-acne medication.

But there’s also glycolic acid, which is a moisturizing exfoliant. It promotes cellular turnover to erase acne scars and sun damage.

Elizavecca Milky Piggy Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask

It’s hard to resist a bubbling clay mask! Luckily, it’s not nearly as drying as a regular clay mask. That’s good as you may be tempted to use it more often than is recommended.

It contains perfluorocarbons that release oxygen when exposed to the air. This makes the mask foam away impurities with a fun fizz that tickles the skin.

Conclusion

You’ll be blotting less and smiling more because your complexion is going to improve.

All you need is one of the best face masks to mattify your skin. They will diminish acne, too.

I hope you found your new favorite face mask here today.

Sources:

1. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/oily-skin accessed August 6, 2020

2. https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Oily-Skin co-authored by Mohiba Tareen, MD, published July 2, 2020, accessed August 6, 2020