15 Best Face Masks To Shrink Pores
Reduce the pores and give your skin a smooth finish to stay looking perfect all day.
Sarah TuckerEsthetician
Expertise: Skin Care, Makeup, & Injectables
Experience: 27 years
Sarah Tucker is an esthetician with over 27 years of experience, and she has worked for some of the biggest names in skin care, makeup, and injectables. She teaches skin care to sales teams, educates providers and patients on injectables, p... more
Shiboli Chakraborti Certified Skin Care Coach
Expertise: Skin Care & Hair Care
Experience: 3 years
Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with three years of experience. As an editor, she ... more
Image: StyleCraze Design Team
Do not fret if your open pores are giving you nightmares. Grab the best face masks to shrink pores as they serve as effective solutions to this problem. The visible opening of hair follicles or skin pores ensures your skin’s natural lubrication. Various factors like sun exposure, premature aging, genetics, and environmental pollution determine their size. Skin allergies, acne, breakouts, and blackheads mostly result from clogged pores. That’s where the face masks come in. They can help you to clean and maintain the open pores.
Face masks absorb the excess oil on your skin and remove the dirt and grime from the deepest layers of your skin. The 15 face masks listed in our article are proven to shrink pores and are loved by customers. Swipe up for more information.
In This Article
Best Face Masks To Shrink Pores
1. Best For Skin Renewal: New York Biology Dead Sea Mud Mask
The New York Biology Dead Sea Mud Mask helps clean and shrink pores and soothes your skin. It works great as a daily acne treatment that enhances the skin’s texture. This face mask is formulated with mineral-rich mud from the Dead Sea, aloe vera, vitamin E, and sunflower and jojoba oils to exfoliate and nourish your skin.
This potent blend draws out excess oil and toxins trapped in the pores and minimizes their appearance. It also stimulates blood microcirculation and gently exfoliates the skin to give a smooth, refined texture. The rich minerals from the mud help in adding a natural radiance and glow to your skin and aid skin renewal. To understand the nuances of this mud mask in a detailed manner, you can check this YouTuber’s review.
Skin Type: Oily, Dry, Normal, and Combination
Key Ingredients: Dead Sea mud, Aloe vera, Vitamin E, and Jojoba oil
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Non-drying
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Alcohol-free
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- May cause irritation.
2. Best For Intense Hydration: Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor Mud Purifying Black Mask
This detoxifying face mask from Peter Thomas Roth cleans and shrinks pores. It has purifying, hydrating, and decongesting properties that help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The formula has other potent ingredients like black hijiki seaweed, volcanic ash, and activated charcoal.
Activated charcoal unclogs pores and gets rid of oil, dirt, and dead skin cells. Volcanic ash detoxifies and rejuvenates the skin, and black hijiki seaweed has intense hydrating properties and contains vitamins and iron to nourish the skin. This face mask leaves your skin looking fresh and radiant. If you need more convincing, feel free to check out this elaborate review of the face mask on YouTube.
Skin Type: Combination, Dry, Oily, Sensitive, Acne-Prone, and Normal
Key Ingredients: Irish moor mud, Black hijiki seaweed, Volcanic ash, and Activated charcoal
Pros
- Gentle
- Easy to apply
- Non-drying
- Smells good
- A little goes a long way
Cons
- Expensive
3. Best For Acne-Prone Skin: Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment
The Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment visibly enhances the skin’s texture and clears the complexion. It deeply cleanses and minimizes pores and is best suited for acne-prone skin. This face mask is enriched with activated-X charcoal and K-17 clay that get rid of toxins, dirt, excess oil, and grime trapped in the pores. The Teaoxi eucalyptus leaves in the formula deliver phytoactives that reduce irritation.
The formula also contains a blend of six AHAs and BHAs – glycolic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid, pyruvic acid, and azelaic acid. While glycolic acid improves skin texture, salicylic acid unclogs and minimizes the pores. Lactic acid helps reduce pigmentation and stimulates collagen formation. Mandelic acid enhances skin elasticity and reduces aging signs, pyruvic acid reduces the appearance of scars, and azelaic acid fights breakouts. Other ingredients like licorice and peppermint brighten and soothe the skin.
Sarah Tucker, an esthetician with over 27 years of experience, says, “Lots of very active ingredients, so great for someone wanting a more aggressive antiaging mask. Pyruvic acid is hardly ever found in topicals and it is a superstar ingredient when it comes to cleaning out and tightening pores.”
Skin Type: Oily and Acne-prone
Key Ingredients: Activated-X charcoal, K-17 clay, Teaoxi eucalyptus leaves, and Super six acid blend
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Pleasant fragrance
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Dries out the skin.
4. Best For Spot Treatement: Philosophy Purity Pore Extractor Clay Mask
The Philosophy Pore Extractor Clay Mask draws out impurities, scrubs away blackheads, and shrinks the appearance of pores. The rich and creamy formula has ingredients like white kaolin clay, salicylic acid, and other natural exfoliating ingredients. White kaolin clay prevents acne by absorbing excess oil and sebum, and salicylic acid unclogs the pores and minimizes their appearance. This mask leaves your skin feeling refreshed, deeply cleansed, radiant, and smooth. It can be used as a full face mask or for spot treatment. Sarah Tucker, an esthetician with over 27 years of experience, says, “Not recommended for use while pregnant or breastfeeding because of the BHA, salicylic acid.” Check out this review on YouTube to know more about the merits of using this face mask.
Skin Type: Dry, Normal, Combination, and Oily
Key Ingredients: White kaolin clay, Salicylic acid, and Natural exfoliants
Pros
- Gentle
- Can be used for spot treatment
- Easy to apply
- Affordable
- Pleasant fragrance
- Easy to wash off
Cons
- Not suitable for sensitive skin.
5. Best Plant-Based: Herbivore Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarity Mask
The Herbivore Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarity Mask helps in cleansing, soothing, and enhancing your skin. It minimizes pores, reduces blemishes, evens out the skin tone, and soothes acne-affected skin to reduce inflammation and redness. This face mask is formulated with plant-based, organic ingredients like white willow bark, blue tansy oil, and fruit enzymes.
The white willow bark has anti-inflammatory properties and antimicrobial salicin that helps rejuvenate and clarify the skin. The blue tansy oil helps soothe redness and inflammation, while the fruit enzymes from papaya and pineapple gently exfoliate and refine the skin to leave it feeling refreshed. This face mask contains all-natural, plant-based ingredients that are gentle on your skin.
Skin Type: Oily and Blemish-prone
Key Ingredients: White willow bark, Fruit enzymes, and Blue tansy oil
Pros
- Natural ingredients
- Easy to apply
- Easy to remove
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Petroleum-free
- Sulfate-free
- Chemical-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Non-toxic
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Synthetic ingredient-free
Cons
- Not suitable for sensitive skin
- Expensive
6. Best For Skin Brightening: Caudalie Instant Detox Mask
The Caudalie Instant Detox Mask deeply cleanses and tightens the pores and refines the skin texture to impart a radiant glow. It is enriched with rose pink clay, papaya enzymes, grape marc, and tannins.
The rose pink clay and tannins reduce blackheads caused by sebum and impurities and purify the skin, while the grape marc detoxifies the skin and reduce blemishes. The papaya enzymes minimize pores and revitalize and brighten the skin. The lavender essential oil and sage essential oil in the mask combat the acne-causing bacteria and have a calming effect on the skin.
Skin Type: Normal, Oily, Combination, and Dry
Key Ingredients: Rose pink clay, Papaya enzymes, Grape marc, and Tannins
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Smells good
- Hypoallergenic
- Dermatologist-tested
- Vegan
- Non-toxic
- Cruelty-free
- Gluten-free
- GMO-free
- Synthetic chemical-free
Cons
- Expensive
- May cause breakouts in sensitive skin.
7. Best Creamy Formula: Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask 2X
The Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask 2X is a 5-in-1 mask that tackles various skin concerns. The deep cleansing and creamy formula is enriched with Jeju super volcanic ash, walnut shells, and AHA. It helps exfoliate the skin and cleanse the pores to enhance the skin’s texture. The 5-in-1 formula also helps remove excess sebum and dead skin cells and deep cleanse pollution particles and grime to give the skin a cooling effect. It can be used as a full face mask or as a spot treatment on the oily T-zone.
Skin Type: Normal, Oily, and Combination
Key Ingredients: Jeju super volcanic ash, Walnut shells, and AHA
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Easy to remove
- Smells good
- Cooling effect
- Affordable
Cons
- May cause a slight burning sensation.
8. Best Non-Drying: Meditime Pore Tightening Corset Pack
The Meditime Pore Tightening Corset Pack has a 3-step system. The formula shrinks pores, absorbs and removes skin waste, and purifies the skin. It is formulated with bentonite, red bean flour, bio saccharide gum, and Amazon kaolin.
Bentonite and red bean flour absorb and remove excess sebum, toxin, waste, and dead skin cells. The Amazon kaolin deeply cleanses the pores, helps in shrinking them, and enhances the skin tone, while the lotus extracts and bio saccharide gum infuse moisture into the skin to keep it hydrated. This face mask makes tackles multiple skin concerns and helps you achieve smooth, naturally radiant, and healthy skin.
Skin Type: Normal, Dry, and Combination
Key Ingredients: Bentonite, Red bean flour, Lotus extracts, Biosaccharide gum, and Amazon kaolin
Pros
- Gentle
- Non-drying
- Paraben-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Ethanol-free
Cons
- May cause breakouts.
9. Best For Oily-Skin: The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
This face mask from The Ordinary targets the removal of dead skin cells and is best suited for oily and acne-prone skin types. It is designed to boost radiance and improve skin texture and uneven skin tone. The formula is enriched with vegetable charcoal and Amazonian clay that help smoothen the skin texture, reduce blemishes, and leave your skin feeling thoroughly cleansed and refreshed.
The 2% salicylic acid in this face mask removes the dead skin cells to reveal radiant and healthy skin. The charcoal and clay in the formula deeply cleanse your skin and remove impurities that may clog the pores. Squalane hydrates the skin and prevent moisture loss. It also detoxifies the skin and protects it from free radical damage. This lightweight mask leaves your skin feeling refreshed and your pores minimized and tighter.
Skin Type: Acne-prone and Oily
Key Ingredients: 2% Salicylic acid, Vegetable charcoal, Amazonian clay, and Squalane
Pros
- Lightweight
- Vegan
- Silicone-free
- Alcohol-free
- Oil-free
- Nut-free
- Gluten-free
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- May cause a slight burning sensation.
10. Best Cruelty-Free: Sand & Sky Australian Pink Clay Porefining Face Mask
The Australian Pink Clay Mask from Sand & Sky is loaded with skin purifying ingredients like Australian pink clay, kelp, witch hazel, mangosteen, pomegranate, and Kakadu plum and shows visible results from the first use. It provides an instant detox to your skin to rejuvenate it and boost its glow.
The Australian pink clay detoxifies and purifies the skin and shrinks pores. Kelp and witch hazel refine pores, soothe irritation, and enhance the skin repairing process. Mangosteen and pomegranate are rich in antioxidants that boost cell turnover to even out and brighten the skin tone. Kakadu plum, which is rich in vitamin C, reduces hyperpigmentation and blemishes. This face mask comes with an applicator brush for easy application.
Skin Type: Dry, Normal, Oily, Sensitive, Combination, and Acne-prone
Key Ingredients: Australian pink clay, Kelp, Witch hazel, Mangosteen, Pomegranate, and Kakadu plum
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Silicone-free
- Phthalate-free
- Cruelty-free
- Dermatologist-tested
- Includes a brush for application
Cons
- Less quantity for the price.
- May aggravate breakouts.
11. Best Natural Formula: TN Tessa Naturals Dead Sea Mud Mask
The Dead Sea Mud Mask from Tessa Naturals shrinks pores and nourishes the skin. The all-natural, clean, and pure formula is enriched with soothing minerals from Dead Sea mud. It also contains witch hazel extract that fights acne, reduces inflammation, and tightens the skin, while vegetable amino acid and natural collagen peptides nourish the skin and boost its natural glow and radiance. This mud mask cleanses the deep layers of the skin and extracts toxins, sebum, and dirt trapped in the pores. It reduces the appearance of wrinkles and tightens and nourishes the skin.
Skin Type: Oily, Combination, Dry, and Normal
Key Ingredients: Dead Sea mud, Collagen, Witch hazel, and Vegetable amino acids
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Gentle
- Natural formula
- Easy to wash off
- Includes a free sponge
Cons
- May cause breakouts on sensitive skin.
12. Best For All Skin Types: WIS Mineral Mud Mask
Shrink pores and brighten your skin with the WIS Mineral Mud Mask. It is infused with natural activated charcoal that assists in removing blackheads, drawing out impurities, and opening pores for thorough cleansing. This mud mask moisturizes your skin and increases your skin’s blood flow, keeping it healthy and tight. In addition, the facial mask gets rid of excess oil while hydrating the skin.
Skin Type: All skin types
Key Ingredients: Kaolin, Sea Silt, Salt Mine mud, Glycerin
Pros
- Hydrating
- Refreshing
- Convenient
- Effective
- Gentle
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- Cleaning the mask may take time.
13. Best Non-Comedogenic: Aria Starr Dead Sea Mud Mask
The Aria Starr Dead Sea Mud Mask gives you a spa-like experience right at home. It contains natural ingredients like shea butter, aloe vera, and jojoba oil that provide lasting hydration to your skin. Shea butter moisturizes the skin, aloe vera soothes it, while the non-comedogenic and antioxidant-rich jojoba oil controls sebum and oil production.
The formula also contains natural minerals like magnesium, calcium, sulfur, bromide, iodine, sodium, zinc, and potassium that enhance your skin by deep cleansing, detoxifying, and hydrating it. The face mask also eliminates blackheads, kills acne-causing bacteria, stimulates blood circulation to your skin cells, and tightens pores for younger-looking skin. It extracts impurities, dirt, and toxins from the deeper layers of your skin to give you a clear and refined skin texture and complexion.
Skin Type: Oily, Combination, Normal, Dry, and Acne-prone
Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, Shea butter, and Jojoba oil
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Smells great
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Affordable
Cons
- May cause a slight tingling sensation.
14. Best Additives-Free: Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay
The Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay face mask shrinks pores and is formulated with 100% natural calcium bentonite clay, which has skin healing and cleansing properties. The powerful formulation extracts dead skin cells, toxins, impurities, and excess sebum from the deeper layers of the skin and clogged pores. This clay mask is also used to treat acne and blemishes and is free of additives and artificial fragrance.
Skin Type: Acne-prone, Dry, Normal, Oily, and Combination
Key Ingredients: Natural calcium bentonite clay
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Easy to wash away
- Natural ingredients
- Artificial fragrance-free
- Cruelty-free
- Value for money
Cons
- Not suitable for sensitive skin.
15. Best For Texture Correction: L’Oreal Paris Pure Clay Face Mask
The L’Oreal Paris Pure Clay Face Mask gives your skin an instant boost of hydration, natural radiance, and refined pores. It is formulated with a blend of three potent clays and red algae that deeply cleanse your skin, exfoliate dead cells, and shrink pores to smoothen the skin surface and give it a smooth, flawless texture. The formula extracts dead skin cells, dirt, excess oil, and impurities from the skin to make it look polished and glowing.
Skin Type: Dry, Normal, Oily, Combination, Sensitive, and Acne-prone
Key Ingredients: Red algae extract, Kaolin clay, Moroccan lava clay, and Montmorillonite clay
Pros
- Gentle
- Easy to apply
- Easy to wash away
- Affordable
Cons
- Unpleasant fragrance
Face masks are available to address various skin concerns. If you are looking for the best face mask to clean and shrink pores, consider these factors while choosing one.
How To Choose A Face Mask That Shrinks Pores? – Buying Guide
- Ingredients
A pore-shrinking face mask should include ingredients like clay, charcoal, Amazon kaolin, salicylic acid, witch hazel, and green tea that deeply cleanse the pores and get rid of excess oil buildup.
- Formula
There are various formulas of face masks like gel, clay, sheet masks, and peel-off masks. Depending on your preferences, opt for a formula that suits and enhances your skin. Peel-off masks usually help unclog pores and remove impurities, while clay-based formulas help in refining and shrinking pores.
- Skin Type
If your skin is dry, opt for a face mask that not only unclogs the pores but also has hydrating agents. When it comes to sensitive skin, it is best to avoid peel-off masks as they might tug on the skin and cause irritation. For oily skin, pick clay-based masks as they remove impurities, absorb excess oil, and refine the skin texture.
Infographic: The Best Way To Apply A Face Mask
Once you’ve got your hands on the best face mask that’ll help shrink your pores, you must know how to apply it correctly for optimum results. The way you apply a face mask determines how well the product will work on your skin.
Check the infographic below to get a good idea of how to apply these fantastic face masks perfectly and make your skin smooth and healthy. Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
Save the high-quality PDF version on your device now.
Download Infographic
If you are facing trouble with larger pores, face masks can be of great help! Many face masks help diminish the pores’ size while ensuring that they don’t grow back. Clogged pores can contain many unwanted dirt and impurities, which can later find their way to causing breakouts, acne scars, and dark patches. It is important to clean off and shrink pores that have excess oil in them. While choosing the best face mask for yourself, it is recommended to avoid the ones that can cause irritation or aid in further skin damage.
Why Trust Stylecraze?
Shiboli Chakraborti, the author behind this post, is a certified skin care coach. Everyday your skin pores are exposed to UV rays, dirt, and other factors that can leave them enlarged. Luckily, she is here to save the day! She suggests using these face masks to decrease the size of your pores. She went through many products, their ingredients, benefits, and reviews before settling on these face masks. Each of these masks was selected based on their ingredients, skin care benefits, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can face masks reduce pores?
Yes, face masks help reduce the appearance of your pores by drawing out the excess oil and toxins from your face.
Does a face mask open pores?
No, pores do not ‘open’ or ‘close’, but a face mask can help clear the pores and reduce their appearance.
What does shrinking your pores do?
Shrinking the pores can reduce their appearance on your face and make your skin look smooth and flawless. But absolute shrinkage is not possible or a good idea either, as your pores ensure that sebum travels to the surface of your skin to keep it moisturized.
How do you shrink your pores in a mask?
Face masks suck as a clay mask shrinks your pores by drying out the excess oil or sebum and clearing the impurities from clogged pores.
How can I close my pores naturally?
Your pores do not open or close. But you can reduce the appearance of your pores by following a good skin care routine of deep cleansing, toning, moisturizing, and exfoliating once or twice a week using chemical exfoliants. You can also use retinoids and clay masks to keep the pore size in check.
At-home ingredients like sugar cubes, apple cider vinegar, egg whites, and Fuller’s earth can also help manage the pore sizes.
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