If you can’t stop staring down the little dots on your nose in your magnifying mirror, it’s time to invest in the best blackhead masks—especially before you’re tempted to start squeezing.
Blackheads are caused by a buildup of oil, but as opposed to living underneath the skin, these pores are open to air and then oxidize, turning the color darker than whiteheads or pimples, says Dr. Rachel Nazarian, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC. These spots can also expand the size of pores over time, Dr. Nazarian says. “Keeping them cleaned and treated will minimize appearance of pore size and give a smoother, tighter appearance,” she says. The products that will get the job done typically include ingredients like chemical (i.e. salicylic acid or alpha hydroxy acid) and physical exfoliants (i.e. sulfur), which work to break up the blackhead’s plug, as well as retinol, which can decrease the appearance of blackheads and pores over time, says Dr. Nazarian.
To help you find the best option for your skin type, we spoke to dermatologists and tested dozens of products ourselves. Our top choice is the Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Mask, which will deep clean pores while also leaving your skin looking more clear overall. We also found peel-off masks, nose strips, and options for sensitive skin that were worth recommending.
The best blackhead masks, at a glance
How we tested
We tested blackhead masks by applying them to clean, dry skin as instructed on the packaging. We considered options with both chemical and physical exfoliants, and looked for products that were easy to use, visibly reduced our blackheads, prevented new blemishes from forming, and left our skin feeling clear and healthy.
Best Overall: Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Mask
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This mask has a super thick, rich texture and it spreads across the skin super easily. Made with Amazonian white clay and aloe vera, it’s equal parts cleansing and soothing. It would be the perfect option to try on skin that’s prone to irritation or redness. It comes in a jar containing 4.2-fluid-ounces of the product, and a lot really goes a long way.
“I always worry that clay masks are going to leave my skin feeling squeaky-level dry, but this one did just the opposite,” said Loggins. “After letting it sit for 10 minutes, during which time there was a little bit of a tingling sensation, my skin felt plumped and soothed and my pores honestly looked more clear.”
Best Sheet Mask: Dr. Jart+ Pore Remedy Purifying Mud Face Mask
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A sheet mask that’s also a mud mask is a pretty wild experience, but it’s actually less messy than you’d expect. The clay part is painted onto mesh, which is sandwiched between two plastic coverings that are peeled off before applying. Getting these layers off was a little difficult, as was arranging the mesh mask perfectly across the face, but other than that it was a breeze. Since the mesh touches every inch of the mud, once it’s dry, it pulls it off the bulk of the product so that there’s less rinsing involved. Since the mud acts as such an occlusive, the mask really holds-in moisture and helps it open up the pores. The green mud helps absorb impurities like excess sebum and buildup. From there, the sea salt provides a gentle, natural exfoliation that leaves the skin feeling soft.
“Immediately it was incredibly cooling and soothing,” says Loggins. “Due to the sheet mask format, the green mud doesn’t feel dry and crackly before removing, but it still does the job of thoroughly cleaning the pores. I would definitely use this again.”
Best Blackhead Strips: Bioré Original Blackhead Remover Strips
- Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Bioré Original Blackhead Remover Strips
- Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Bioré Original Blackhead Remover Strips
- Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Bioré Original Blackhead Remover Strips
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These nose strips are the OG blackhead masks—and their ability to stand the test of time is exactly what makes them a top choice. Each pack comes with 14 individual pore strips that are supposed to be damped and then applied directly to the nose. After the strip is completely dry, you can peel it off and marvel at the gunk removed using the brand’s patented technology, which activates under water and binds to blackheads.
“These strips are not for the faint of heart, as you’ll see in my video (I’m cringing a bit as I pull it off, as you can see), but I have to say, they leave your skin feeling smoother than ever before,” said Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary. “This strip lifted a few embedded blackheads that have been staring me in the face for the past few months, and then some—and while they’re not the most comfortable to remove (ha, pain is beauty, right), they do the job!”
Best Charcoal Mask: Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Face Mask to Clear Pores
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This mask is made of Kaolin clay and bamboo charcoal, which are both known for their abilities to pull-away dead skin cells and impurities. In general, the texture of the mask is incredibly thick and substantial, but somehow doesn’t feel drying. The brand recommends opening your pores with a warm, damp towel before use. From there, apply the mask in a layer across your skin and allow it to fully dry.
“I have hormonal acne and tend to breakout around my chin. I like to use a mask that helps cleanse that area but is still gentle on my combination skin,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle. “This charcoal mask dries down quickly and leaves my face feeling so fresh. It can get a bit messy so I recommend a paper towel.”
Best Clay Mask: Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask
This mask is incredibly gentle, especially for a product containing both chemical (alpha hydroxy acids, or AHAs) and physical exfoliants (volcanic ash clusters). It’s great for acne-prone skin that’s been experiencing irritation since it works to slough away the buildup exacerbating the breakout. It also helps smooth away any unwanted texture left behind. It stood out as our best overall pick both for its effective ingredients and immediate results, but also because it’s gentle enough to use daily, even on dry skin.
“The consistency and feeling of this mask on the skin is completely unbeatable,” says Loggins. “It somehow left my skin looking not only more clear, but healthier overall.”
Best for Large Pores: Caudalie Instant Detox Mask Pore Minimizing
This mask cleans and tightens, making it a good option for those with large pores. The grapes provide a boost of antioxidants and work to limit excess sebum production, while the pink clay sloughs away dead skin cells and buildup. The caffeine then comes in to leave the skin looking smooth and brightened, which makes this a great option if you’re looking for something to apply in the morning before heading out for the day.
Best Resurfacing Mask: Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask
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Our tester immediately noted the sweet pumpkin smell, which she said, “doesn’t scream overly fall (so you can definitely use it all throughout the year without it giving too much PSL), but it’s sweet and refreshing.” The pumpkin smell comes from actual pumpkin enzymes, which serve as both an exfoliant and a skin-brightening antioxidant. It also contains AHAs and aluminum oxide crystals, which serve to exfoliate the skin chemically and physically. This is definitely the mask to try if you’ve experienced texture or breakouts.
“I loved the exfoliating beads in it and how the formula sat on my skin and helped suck up and clarify congested areas,” said Kilkeary. “I definitely will say that it stung a little and the texture is a little sticky, but it was well worth it for my much more clarified, clean and even-toned skin finish. The texture of my skin also noticeably improved (even after using this just one time!) and I’ll definitely reach for it again when I’m feeling extra oily or clogged up.”
Best Mask for Nose Blemishes: Tatcha The Clarifying Clay Mask Exfoliating Pore Treatment
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As with most of Tatcha’s products, the formulation feels super lightweight and airy, but our tester found that it still packed a results-filled punch. The volcanic ash creates a warming sensation that causes the pores to open up similarly to warm water. From there, the Japanese konjac plant gently exfoliates as the clay pulls away oil and buildup. Our tester described it as incredibly lightweight with an almost gritty texture, “so light that you’d almost think it wouldn’t do anything, but somehow it manages to tighten and brighten my skin, visibly so,” she said.
“I’m such a fan of this clarifying mask—I wear it on damp skin for about 10 minutes once a week, and with each use, my pores truly look smaller (or non-existent),” our tester says. “My skin feels more matte, but I seem to glow. It’s my favorite mask! Highly recommend.”
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Proactiv Skin Purifying Mask
Dr. Nazarian recommends this pick due to the active ingredient adapalene, which is a retinoid. Retinoids help fight off fine lines and wrinkles by promoting collagen production and by reducing inflammation. While retinoids can be slightly irritating to the skin, especially if you haven’t used them before, she recommends pairing it with a gentle cleanser and moisturizer after use. In addition to the retinoid, this mask also contains 6% sulfur, which is great for breakouts and makes it ideal for spot treatments if you just have one or two places that need attention.
“I like adapalene as a retinoid because it’s less irritating than classic retinoids and an affordable option over-the-counter,” said Dr. Nazarian. “I recommend using it one to two times per week until the skin adjusts to the ingredients—then nightly or every other night long-term.”
Best Peel-Off Mask: Sulwhasoo Clarifying Peel Off Mask
This mask is definitely one of the most unique on the list—not only does it have a slight (pleasant!) smell, but it’s orange, and incredibly thin. The ingredients include Solomon’s seal powder and ginseng root extract, both of which are antioxidants that help to reduce inflammation and help the cells fight off damage from free radicals.
“While I was worried that a peel-off mask would be uncomfortable, this one didn’t hurt during removal and left my skin feeling freshly moisturized,” said Loggins. “The fact that I had to leave it on for nearly 30 minutes was a little bit of a pain, but I did notice a substantial difference in the size of my pores and the overall appearance of my skin. I would definitely use this again.”
Best Budget: The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
This mask is particularly great for people with blemish-prone skin, and since it’s packed with natural ingredients like charcoal and clay that aren’t irritating and make it ideal for use as a spot treatment. It contains beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), which work to exfoliate the skin and penetrate the pores so that the detoxifying ingredients can do their job. It is important to note that BHAs can leave your skin more sensitive to the sun, so make sure you’re wearing SPF daily.
As for the results of the mask, Loggins found that it “left my skin feeling much more smooth, my pores looked smaller and it even helped my dark spots look much more bright.” Continuous use would definitely help improve skin tone and the overall appearance of pores.
Frequently asked questions
What causes blackheads?
While we think of blackheads as the darkened spots in our pores, they are actually made of the same oil and buildup as whiteheads and other breakouts. Dr. Nazarian explains that blackheads begin with keratin and sebum plugs, which are “collections of the oily liquid made from our sebaceous glands — they help keep skin lubricated but can also mix with dead skin cells and bacteria and clog up our pores.”
“Oily skin are the types most likely to get them, although they are super common for just about everyone,” says Dr. Nazarian.
Should you pop blackheads?
The general guidance of not picking at your skin applies here as well. “I wouldn’t recommend popping the blackheads, but if you’re already using a medication to treat them they usually pop out easily on their own,” says Dr. Nazarian. She explains that topical medications and ingredients like glycolic acid, retinoids and salicylic acids can degrade and loosen them.
“A board-certified dermatologist is the only professional formally trained to gently and safely remove both of them without injuring the tissue,” says Dr. Nazarian.
Do blackhead masks work?
The short answer is yes, but Dr. Nazarian explains that you should make sure you’re using masks containing the correct ingredients that will effectively dissolve the keratin in the blackhead. The goal of blackhead masks is to clean out the pores so that gunk doesn’t build up over time and make them larger.
“To avoid production of blackheads, avoid occlusion of your pores by using more breathable, lightweight products,” says Dr. Nazarian. “Particularly those that specifically say ‘noncomedogenic,’ so you know they’re less likely to create blackheads.”
What ingredients should people look for/avoid?
More than cautioning people about ingredients, Dr. Nazarian says people should try to abstain from overusing masks and treatments as they can cause oil glad production to decrease to the point of dryness.
“Salicylic acid and sulfur are great ingredients because they break up the ‘glue’ that keeps dead skin cells together, and can degrade the keratin plug in the blackhead,” says Dr. Nazarian. “Retinoids and retinol also regulate the cell cycle well and can decrease blackheads over time.”
How often should you use them?
As with most aspects of beauty routines, the best results come from consistency. While different brands recommend different regimens, Dr. Nazarian recommends using masks around two times per week “to treat blackheads and prevent them.”
