Face Masks for Acne: How to Pick the Best One for Your Skin, Homemade Recipes and More

• Face masks for acne help draw oil and impurities from the skin’s surface, clear pores and gently exfoliate dead skin cells.
• Clay, charcoal and peel-off masks are best suited for people with acne-prone skin.
• You can make your own DIY masks for acne using simple ingredients from your kitchen.

Face masks revitalize the skin and address specific skin care concerns, including acne. Facial treatment masks that have been formulated to treat acne remove excess oil from the skin and reduce inflammation. 

There are multiple forms of acne, including pimples, comedones, cysts and nodules. The most common form, acne vulgaris, includes skin issues such as blackheads and pimples. Acne commonly appears on the face, upper back, shoulders and chest. 

Those with acne-prone and oily skin may want to incorporate a face mask into their skin care routine to cleanse their skin, unclog their pores and combat breakouts. 

Are Face Mask for Acne Effective? 

Yes, face masks are effective treatments for acne because they help draw out excess oil and impurities from the skin. Masks with anti-inflammatory active ingredients can calm a breakout in progress; because of their absorbent formulations, masks can also help prevent future breakouts—or at least reduce the severity.  

In general, face masks work by delivering a concentrated dose of active ingredients for prolonged skin absorption. This means your skin gets more of the active ingredients in one rejuvenating session. 

Face Masks for Acne-Prone Skin

Rejuvenating face masks are available in multiple varieties to suit many different skin types and challenges. Several popular kinds of face masks include: 

• Clay and charcoal masks, which draw excess oil and impurities from the pores.
• Peel-off masks, which lift impurities from the skin and help unclog pores. 
• Cream and gel masks, which moisturize, plump and tighten the skin.
• Sheet masks, which seal in moisture and provide a healthy complexion.

Benefits of Face Masks for Acne

A face mask for acne won’t instantly heal a breakout, but you can expect it to immediately calm some of your irritation and inflammation. The ingredients will also work to draw out oil and impurities from the skin to help prevent future breakouts. 

Clay and charcoal masks can also help to reduce the appearance of large pores with immediate results.

Moisturizes skin

Masks for acne contain ingredients that can be lightly moisturizing without adding excess oil to the skin. Some clay and charcoal mask formulations can also help replenish the skin’s natural moisture. While bentonite clay itself can help soften dry skin, ingredients such as hyaluronic acid (HA) also gently add moisture to the skin.

Reduces acne scarring

Some face masks, like brightening masks, help to reduce the appearance of acne scars. 

One key mask ingredient that can help address acne scarring is Vitamin C. By inhibiting melanin production, vitamin C helps to fade or prevent the formation of areas with abnormally high pigmentation, like darkened scar tissue. Vitamin C also helps to exfoliate your skin, improve its texture and is found in citrus-based ingredients like lemon juice. 

Another common natural ingredient that can brighten skin is aloe vera. Aloesin, an aloe vera derivative, is also a melanin inhibitor. Aloe is often used in conjunction with lemon juice for an easy, DIY brightening mask. 

Best Face Masks for Acne and Acne-Prone Skin

The best face masks for acne-prone skin include clay, charcoal and peel-off masks.

Clay masks have been proven to reduce acne; both clay and charcoal masks absorb oil and gently draw impurities from the skin. Clay and charcoal masks will leave your skin free of shine without drying it out, and will temporarily (but comfortably) tighten your skin.

Peel-off masks help to gently remove a surface layer of old skin cells and debris from your skin, leaving it smooth and refreshed.

Cream, gel and sheet masks are not ideal for people with acne and oily skin as these masks are both designed to hydrate rather than mattify the skin. Peel-off masks are occlusive, meaning they create a barrier between your skin and the mask – which can lead to more acne.

Ingredients to look for 

When shopping for a treatment mask for acne, look for formulas that incorporate some of the following ingredients:

• Bentonite clay absorbs excess oil, reduces shine, cleanses pores, exfoliates and draws out water from the skin
• Kaolin clay has the same benefits as bentonite clay but with added exfoliation
• Activated charcoal gently draws out impurities from the skin’s surface
• Vitamin C inhibits the production of melanin, helping to reduce the appearance of pigmented scars
• Vitamin A contains retinoids that reduce inflammation and clear pores
• HA replenishes natural moisture without adding unnecessary oils
• SA or benzoyl peroxide gently dries and treats blemishes
• Sulfur combats inflammation and bacteria, and gently dries skin

It’s important to remember that just because a face mask contains the above ingredients, it might not necessarily be beneficial in the treatment of acne. Look at the full range of ingredients before you make your final decision. Once you’re familiar with the best ingredients for your skin type, you’ll be able to choose the right mask for your skin.

Ingredients to avoid

The following ingredients are comedogenic, meaning they can clog your pores and encourage acne. When looking for the right face mask for acne, avoid formulations that contain:

• Butters and oils
  • Cocoa butter
  • Almond oil
  • Coconut oil
• Chemical ingredients
  • Ethylhexyl palmitate
  • Isopropyl palmitate
  • Isopropyl myristate
  • D&C Red 
• Heavy moisturizers
  • Lanolin
  • Silicone
• Natural ingredients
  • Lauric acid, a coconut oil derivative
  • Lauroyl lysine, a coconut oil derivative
  • Algae extract

Natural face masks for acne

Some natural face masks may be effective against acne, although in general, commercial products may be more effective because they have been formulated with specific ingredients, combinations and dosages. 

Many natural treatment masks contain similar ingredients to commercial masks such as clay, mud, charcoal and sulfur. 

Other natural acne-fighting ingredients include:

• Diluted tea tree oil, which has been shown to fight fungus and bacteria
• Zinc, which has been shown to be effective against inflammatory acne
• Nicotinamide, a Vitamin B₃ (niacin) derivative proven to effectively address inflammation 
• Witch hazel, a natural, mild astringent
• Green tea for inflammation
• Aloe vera to calm and soothe the skin

Acne and Skin Types

The type of face mask you choose will depend on your skin type. For example, people with oily skin and acne will need a different mask formulation than those with acne and dry skin.

Face masks for acne and oily skin

Clay and charcoal masks work best for people with acne and oily skin. The clay and charcoal gently draw out excess oils, but don’t leave the skin dry or tight. Salicylic acid (SA) is the best acne remedy for oily skin; it helps to absorb oil, but it’s meant to be applied and left on – so it’s better to use after a mask.

Face masks for acne and dry skin

Peel-off masks work well for acne and dry skin, as they help lift grime from pores and gently remove dead skin cells. Choose a mask that contains HA to replenish moisture, or apply a light, oil-free moisturizer with HA after using the mask.

Face masks for acne and sensitive skin

Charcoal or clay masks that contain soothing ingredients such as sulfur can benefit sensitive skin with acne. Masks that gently clear pores while calming inflammation are your best choice if your skin is both sensitive and acne-prone.

How to Use a Face Mask for Acne

Incorporating a face mask for acne into your skin care routine is simple. Some masks can be applied a few times a week, while once a week is best for others; use as directed. Consider applying your mask during the evening when you can relax and can allow the ingredients time to work. 

1. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser
2. Apply your clay, charcoal, or peel-off mask as instructed 
3. Rinse or peel off your mask; ensure all residue is removed
4. Complete your skin care routine
5. Apply any acne medication as instructed

DIY Homemade Face Masks for Acne

It’s also possible to use natural ingredients such as oatmeal, honey, banana, avocado and turmeric to create a homemade DIY face mask. Many people choose to make their own DIY face masks because homemade masks contain no harmful additives and they are inexpensive.They can also choose their own combination of ingredients, tailoring the mask to suit their specific needs.  

Clogged pore mask with oatmeal and baking soda

Baking soda and oatmeal are natural exfoliants; they can be used to unclog pores and remove dead skin cells. 

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp of baking soda 
• 2 tsp of oatmeal 

Instructions:

• Combine baking soda and oatmeal in a bowl
• Add a small amount of water to form a paste
• Gently massage the mask over your face; let dry
• Gently wash with warm water
• Follow with your nighttime skin care routine

Although baking soda is commonly found in DIY face mask recipes for acne, baking soda is a controversial skin care ingredient. While some people believe it can help cleanse pores, others warn that it may irritate and strip the skin of its natural oils. 

Baking soda could also alter the skin’s pH because baking soda is alkaline. Putting alkaline products on the skin could damage its protective barrier, leaving it vulnerable to irritation and breakouts.

In contrast, oatmeal is considered a soothing product for the skin and is a common natural ingredient in both commercial and DIY face products.

Peel-off mask with egg white

While there’s no scientific evidence that egg whites treat acne, anecdotal evidence suggests that an egg white solution can help lift debris from pores. 

To make an acne face mask from egg white: 

Ingredients:

• 2 to 3 egg whites

Instructions:

• Combine egg whites in a bowl
• Saturate a cotton ball or pad with the egg whites and dab on your face
• Let sit for 10 to 15 minutes
• Peel off and gently wash with warm water
• Follow with your nighttime skin care routine

Egg white peel-off masks are often suggested for acne-prone skin because the act of peeling off the mask clears the pores. However, the egg white could create a seal over the acne breakout similar to a sheet mask, contributing to further breakouts.

Cucumber mask

Cucumber and aloe vera are soothing ingredients for both acne and dry skin. Aloe has been proven to reduce acne’s severity, and cucumber hydrates the skin because it is 96% water.  

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp aloe vera gel
• 1/2 cucumber

Instructions:

• Puree cucumber in a blender
• Combine aloe vera gel and cucumber in a bowl
• Apply to your face
• Leave on for about 30 minutes
• Gently wash with warm water
• Follow with your nighttime skin care routine

Aloe and cucumber are both noncomedogenic and should be safe for most skin types. Still, as for any DIY mask, patch test an area of skin before applying the mask to your face to ensure you won’t have an adverse reaction. 

Acne Face Mask Alternatives

Using a face mask may not be right for everyone with acne. If you’re looking for acne face mask alternatives, some over-the-counter treatments include benzoyl peroxide ointment, topical SA, hydroxy acids and triclosan/triclocarban.

Whether or not you choose to incorporate a mask into your routine, ensure you choose the right cleansers and moisturizers for your acne-prone skin. 

Takeaway

Face masks are effective acne treatments as they work by delivering a concentrated dose of active ingredients over a period of time for optimal skin absorption. 

They draw out excess oil and impurities from the skin and reduce inflammation. Clay and charcoal masks offer immediate results by reducing the appearance of large pores. Masks with anti-inflammatory active ingredients can soothe a breakout and help prevent or reduce future breakouts.  

Acne masks are available in multiple formulations to address your specific skin concerns such as dry, oil, sensitive skin. You also have the option of creating your own mask at home using simple inexpensive ingredients that you can choose depending on your skin’s needs.

Treatment masks for acne can be easily incorporated into your skin care routine. Be sure to check face mask ingredients to determine their suitability before applying them to your skin.