Choosing the Best Pore Cleansing Mask to Get Your Glow Back

By Laura Bissessar

Have you looked in the mirror recently and thought your skin was missing some of its vibrancy and luster? Do you feel like you can practically scrape the congestion off your face? Then it sounds like you may have clogged pores. Not to worry, even extremely clogged pores are not harmful to your physical health, but they can lead to unsightly whiteheads, blackheads, nodules, and painful cysts. So, if your reflection is not reflecting your best skin, it’s time to include a pore cleansing mask into your beauty routine to get things glowing again.

What Is a Pore Cleansing Mask?

Even with routine washing, our pores can naturally become clogged with an excess buildup of sebum, dead skin cells, and occlusive skincare products. Pore cleansing masks aim to free your pores of this burden with just a few minutes of regular weekly use. Their creamy formulas utilize a powerful combination of chemical exfoliants, physical exfoliants, and absorbent clays to deeply cleanse the skin and hydrating ingredients that soothe and moisturize. Let this be your official sign to give yourself weekly at-home facials.

Benefits of a Deep Pore Cleansing

Say it with me now – the size of our pores does not change, but they can appear larger when clogged. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends using non-comedogenic products, cleansing regularly, and gentle exfoliation to maintain a clear visage with a minimized appearance of pores. Therefore, deep pore cleansing as part of your skincare routine can result in fewer breakouts and smoother, healthier-looking skin. Excited yet? Keep reading!

Ingredients That Get Rid of Clogged Pores

When choosing a pore cleansing mask, you’ll want to look for certain ingredients that draw impurities out of your pores without stripping or drying your skin. Regardless of your skin type, you can find a mask that benefits you by taking note of the following factors:

• Kaolin Clay – Those with oily and acne-prone skin should look for this silky ingredient to soak up excess sebum and calm inflamed skin.
• Bentonite Clay – As scary as volcanoes are, there is some magic left behind in the wake of their eruptions. With its negatively charged ions, bentonite clay actually attracts toxins out of the skin to improve tone and clarity. Toxins do not stand a chance.
• Acids – Science can be so easy. Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) and beta hydroxy acid (BHA) are categories of chemical exfoliants that, when used regularly, can safely unearth smooth, younger-looking skin. AHAs like hydrating lactic acid work on the surface level, while BHAs like salicylic acid work a little harder to really clean out those pores. Dermatologists may offer medical-grade acid treatments to address a myriad of skin issues and help reveal luminous skin after a brief peeling process, so it’s important we stick to the over-the-counter stuff.
• Charcoal – We like activated charcoal because it looks cool, right? But we love it because, much like bentonite clay, it works to attract impurities naturally and has antibacterial actions to provide a rejuvenating, lasting cleanse. 
• Retinyl Palmitate – Think of retinyl palmitate as retinol’s easy-going little sibling. Both derived from vitamin A, retinyl palmitate has all of the skin smoothing, anti-aging, tone improving benefits of retinol, but it’s much easier on the skin, and it’s a great option if you’re particularly sensitive. The AAD recommends products with retinyl palmitate to reduce the appearance of pores, especially for those with oily skin.
• Essential Oils – These concentrated oils do more than just freshen the air through your diffuser. Diffused plant oils offer antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory actions to help boost the efficacy of your pore cleansing mask. And yes, they smell great too.

Now with so little time and so much information to factor in, rest easy! Here are some of our best pore cleansing masks that fit the bill.

The One Size Fits All – The PCA Skin Purifying Mask – What can’t be said about this powerful purifying mask? Two types of exfoliants – check. Natural, hydrating ingredients – check. Ideal for most skin types – another check. PCA Skin Purifying Mask contains salicylic acid and retinyl palmitate to gently draw out impurities, and it has natural volcanic pumice to give your skin an extra polish as you rinse away your mask. A wealth of essential oils from lavender, tea tree, and eucalyptus will keep your skin sparkling with its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

For The Minimalist – If you prefer to maximize your cleansing results with fewer ingredients, PCA Skin also offers their Therapeutic Charcoal Detoxifying Mask. This effective pore minimizer uses Japanese white charcoal and skin-soothing kaolin clay to purify the skin without an overwhelming ingredient list. Excess oil buildup? Never heard of her.

A Fan Favorite – If you want to hit your skin with everything you’ve got, then get Glamglow’s SUPERMUD Clearing Treatment. Loaded with a curated combination of AHAs and BHAs, this mask offers an inflammation-calming, deep pore cleansing that is a favorite amongst users with oily, acne-prone skin. Plant oils, kaolin clay, and activated charcoal round out this anti-aging formula to give you a spa-like experience every single week.

Conscious Pore Purifier – Malin+Goetz Clarifying Clay Mask offers pore cleansing properties using only vegan and cruelty-free ingredients. Sunflower oil and essential oils nourish the skin as bentonite clay, kaolin clay, and retinyl palmitate do what they do best to absorb impurities from your skin. Enjoy a smoothing scrub from the extra-fine pumice for a refreshing, soft finish upon rinsing.

Affordable Luxury – It’s hard to believe that there are so many skin-benefiting ingredients in REVISION Skincare’s Pore Purifying Clay Mask at such an affordable price. This luscious mask contains both classic (salicylic acid and kaolin clay) and unique (freshwater silt and black iron oxides) ingredients that are all on a mission to reduce pore appearance and provide deep facial cleansing. All skin types welcome!

Hydration Station – Long-time dry skin sufferers can celebrate with the Pore Cleansing Clay Mask from Erno Lazlo. This mask uses ultra-soothing ingredients like calamine powder, Irish sea moss, and rose water to nourish and calm your skin into submission. Kaolin and bentonite clays provide the purifying action to leave you with the glow you wished for on your last birthday. Sometimes dreams do come true.

Shop LaLa Daisy For The Best Pore Cleansing Mask

LaLa Daisy cares about your skin’s health and general wellness. We offer a wide array of high-quality products that address almost all skincare concerns. You can shop over 150 top beauty brands and save big on our everyday low prices. We strive to leave no stone unturned in our bid to restore the dignity and beauty of all skin types.

You can find more information on skin care routines for addressing all skin types and concerns at our LaLa Daisy Skincare Advisor in our Beauty Resource Center. Incorporating a pore cleansing mask into your skincare routine is important for healthy skin, and if you want more skincare tips, read 10 Skin Care Secrets For Healthier-Looking Skin from the American Academy of Dermatology Association.