23 Acne-Fighting Face Masks That Will Clear Your Skin Overnight

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Face masks save the day when acne strikes. You can zap little zits that pop up when you're stressed with spot treatments and get rid of the monthly pimples that spread across your chin, signaling your period with cooling clay masks. No matter if you have oily, sensitive, combo, or acne-prone skin, the best face masks help treat your blemishes without further irritating your skin. "Face masks incorporate similar ingredients as other acne-fighting products," board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick tells Seventeen.

In addition to treating breakouts "on the whole face" versus individual blemishes, the New York-based derm recommends this supplemental skincare staple to "clear out the pores, reduce inflammation, and calm redness," which is super helpful when you want to treat multiple zits at the same time. If you're ready to purge pimples from your skin, check out the best face masks for treating acne-prone skin.

Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay

Tired of those pesky black dots littering your nose? This floral-scented clay mask will take care of blackheads in no time and leave your skin feeling soft as hell.

Key ingredients: Willowherb, sugar cane

Customer review: "This mask feels great while applying, drying, and exfoliating! I think this is the first mask that actually sucks the oil out of my T zone, but doesn't leave behind any irritation or redness on the rest of my face."

Mega Greens Galaxy Pack

A combo of white kaolin clay and superfruit antioxidants helps this creamy face mask detox your pores. It cleanses AND clarifies, removing excess oil that can cause zits. Afterward, you'll notice soft skin and reduced pimples.

Active ingredients: White kaolin clay

Customer review: "I definitely feel like it works in cleaning my pores. it tingles a littleeee which was a little concerning at first, but it honestly leaves my face so soft."

Acne Solutions™ Oil-Control Cleansing Mask

This mask is super popular for a reason: it works. Get rid of pimples and prevent more from appearing with this non-drying formula.

Active ingredients: Salicylic acid, kaolin clay

Customer review: "For a $20something mask it's worth it. I have bad acne with rosacea and this mask helps a lot with the acne. I try to use it twice a week but because I'm busy it ends up being once a week but that once is enough to calm my pimples down. I really recommend this mask because it works instantly. Just lay on your face for 5 mins and you're done."

Tea Tree Essential Blemish Control Sheet Mask

Who says clay masks are the only option? This uber-popular sheet mask not only treats acne with its willow bark, rosemary, and tea tree oil, but also prevents new blemishes from forming. Pro tip: keep them in the fridge for extra soothing power.

Active ingredients: Willow bark, rosemary, tea tree oil

Customer review: "Even though it says it is for blemishes I find it very calming, moisturizing and not drying at all like a lot of acne products can be. Just a very chill mask for bad skin days!"

Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask

Acne-prone reviewers are obsessed with The Body Shop's charcoal mask. One commenter said: "My skin was smoother, red marks less visible, blemishes visibly improved, and my face felt incredibly clean."

Active ingredients: Himalayan charcoal

Customer review: "I am telling you people will literally say, 'wow your skin is glowing', and for all my fellow peeps who struggle with acne out there, you know how much this compliment means."

Dead Sea Mud Mask

This mud mask contains a plethora of minerals that detoxify your pores and treat acne. It's so effective that some Amazon reviewers boast "instantaneous smoothing results" after just one use, so hop on that 2-day Prime shipping.

Active ingredients: Dead Sea mineral mud, aloe vera, calendula oil, vitamin E, jojoba oil

Customer review: "Cost effective for the amount. You do not need much if using a silicone spatula for makeup etc. the smell is to die for good! I bought the lavender scent and it’s so good. Definitely going to add to subscription list every 4 months. Love it!"

Purifying 2-in-1 Pumpkin Pore Detox Mask and Scrub

A purifying mask and an exfoliating scrub in one, this self-warming formula is packed with all the ingredients to fight your clogged pores and clear up your congested skin. Experience the benefits of kaolin, bromelain, and salicylic acid.

Active ingredients: Kaolin, bromelain, and salicylic acid

Customer reviews: "The smell was amazing, I felt like it smelled just like a pumpkin pie with cinnamon and the smell I give a 10/10. However, I did not like the warming aspect of it, it literally felt like my face was on fire. I liked the way it felt on my skin and it did leave my skin feeling very soft and refreshing, however I couldn't leave it on for the full amount of time because my face felt like it was on fire."

Indian Healing Clay

Lili Reinhart swears by Indian Healing Clay for treating cystic acne. Mix it with equal parts apple cider vinegar and apply once a week. The mask can be pretty drying, so make sure you moisturize when you're done.

Active ingredients: Bentonite clay

Customer review: "My skin was so clean and clear after just one face mask. It is a bit messy to mix but well worth it. Plus I personally feel that there are so many more benfits to having this product on hand."

Pore Clearing Clay Mask

You're preparing yourself for a super important date when BAM! a big pimple pops up right on your chin. Don't worry. Slap some of this volcanic clay-laced baby on it as a spot treatment, and you will see results in the morning.

Active ingredients: Volcanic clay

Customer review: "I’ve loved this mask since the first time I tried it. It spreads on smoothly and I can feel it working as soon as I put it on. My pores are clean and they do appear smaller!"

Peel Off Blackhead Remover Mask

Is there anything more satisfying than a peel-off mask? This charcoal blackhead removal mask will eliminate those pesky blackheads plaguing your pores in one fell swoop, and it has over 1,000 5-star reviews on Amazon to back it up.

Key ingredients: Bamboo charcoal

Customer review: "You see results immediately. However, application process could be messy. It will take 2-3 applications to find what works for you."

Soothe Me Tea Tree 2-Step Sheet Mask

This Korean sheet mask contains two steps: a chamomile-infused ampoule for hydration locked in with the tea tree oil-infused sheet mask, which soothes irritation and redness caused by dry skin and blemishes without stripping the skin of its natural moisture. The set comes with individually packaged masks, which means you can throw one in your car, gym bag, and overnight bag to continue your clear skin regimen on the go. For skin-clearing properties and a relaxing effect, this pack of sheet masks will be your new go-to.

Key ingredients: Chamomile, tea tree oil

Customer review: "I enjoyed this mask, a bit hard to open with all the product on it, but if that’s the worst thing about them then is it really bad LOL? Does leave face a bit sticky (aloe one) after use but nothing a good morning face wash didn’t clean right up."

Therapeutic Sulfur Masque Acne Treatment Mask

Reviews say that even for those with "moderate to severe cystic acne," this sulfur clay mask works like a charm. With nearly 5-star reviews on Sephora alone, this is the acne treatment you've been waiting for. The Therapeutic Sulfur Masque clears out pimples and absorbs oil to leave your skin looking healthy and clear.

Key ingredients: Bentonite clay, eucalyptus, Aloe Vera

Customer review: "I use this product about once a week when my face is feeling oily or I feel like I'm breaking out. The smell isn't overpowering, it's easy to apply, and it makes my skin feel oh-so-soft and lovely after I wash it off. I recommend it."

Pure Clay Mask Clear & Comfort

Mask with this seaweed-infused clay formula for just ten minutes for fresh, healthy skin. If you feel a breakout coming on, this purifying mask will unclog and destress your skin.

Active ingredients: Pure clay

Customer review: "I don’t use masks often but this one was so much fun! I loved the awesome blue color which made for great Instagram photos!! It felt great going on and was easy to apply."

Dermask Micro Jet Clearing Solution™

If you're looking for a quick fix after waking up to a random breakout, Dr. Garshick suggests the Dr. Jart+ Dermask Clearing Soul because it "calms redness and soothes the skin." Zit-zapping ingredients salicylic acid, tea tree oil, and niacinamide work together to remove dead skin cells, reduce inflammation, and hydrate.

Active ingredients: Salicylic acid, tea tree oil, niacinamide

Customer review: "This is a great mask! The only thing I would be aware of is the teatree oil/extract in it because that can sometimes be irritating."

Radiance Renewal Mask

This radiance-boosting mask is great for people who have sensitive and acne-prone skin. It's an overnight mask that refines and smooths your skin while you sleep. Reviews say it's great for soothing inflamed skin.

Active ingredients: Niacinamide, magnesium, glycerin

Customer review: "I came from a very air-polluted city, and my skin used to suffer extremely (serious acne). I used to cry looking at myself in the mirror. When I started using this product along with the BHA, I started seeing a huge difference in my skin. Not just getting less acne but actually clearing out! am very glad I decided to use this product."

Dermacontrol Purifying Clay Face Mask

As gratifying as it may be, squeezing the life out of blackheads causes more harm than good. When you're up against gunk-filled blackheads, Dr. Garshick suggests Cetaphil's Dermacontrol Purifying Clay Face Mask. Two gentle clays are the magic behind this acne-fighting treatment. According to Dr. Garshick, bentonite clay "absorbs oil and pore-clogging impurities" to minimize the appearance of pores, while Amazonian kaolin clay "gently exfoliates to lift away dead skin cells and helps improve skin tone and texture."

Active ingredients: Amazonian Kaolin clay, apple fruit extract, cucumber seed extract

Customer review: "I was going thru a lot of hormonal changes and started getting blackheads on my nose and cheeks and when I used this product I was shocked at how well it got rid of them obviously not all of them but my nose was pretty clear after using it the first time not the best scent but doesn’t bother me."

Deep Detox Volcanic Exfoliating Mask

When you're experiencing both oily and acne-prone skin, snag this exfoliating scrub to clear your pores of buildup that leads to blemishes and buff away dead skin cells.

Active ingredients: Kaolin clay, Mayon volcanic ash, bamboo charcoal

Customer review: "It works better than possibly expected. Gave me the same results as a Diamond Glow facial!!"

Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask

Have you been noticing more breakouts than usual? Dr. Garshick recommends Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask because it's enriched with benzoyl peroxide to rid your skin of pore-clogging bacteria and clay-based ingredients that help combat oil. You can use this two-in-one treatment daily as a cleanser or leave it on for up to five minutes as an acne treatment before rinsing.

Active ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide

Customer review: "I was recommended this product from a dermatologist & it’s worked so well with my skin. i would definitely recommend! it has a great cooling effect after rinsing off but doesn’t give my skin that tight feeling."

Phyto Corrective Mask

Dealing with rosacea or just general inflammation? SkinCeuticals' Phyto Corrective Masque is totally soothing and will reduce redness in no time.

Active ingredients: Cucumber, thyme, and olive oil extracts, hyaluronic acid

Customer review: "Great mask! Leaves skin feeling smooth and moisturized. subtle difference. will keep using to see if I notice more results. Its is pricey. But TBD on the actual results it will give after regular use."

AcneFree Acne Clearing Sulfur Mask

Has your skin been a little dull after a bout with blemishes? Acnefree's Acne Clearing Sulfur Mask is one of Dr. Garshick's top choices for not only combating impurities and absorbing excess oil, but it's also enriched with vitamin C that brightens and meadowsweet to minimize the appearance of pores.

Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial Treatment

Exfoliating is key to keeping your skin free of buildup and debris that trigger breakouts. Dr. Garshick recommends Charlotte Tilbury's Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial because it's enriched with three pore-clearing chemical exfoliants (alpha hydroxy acid, beta hydroxy acid, and polyhydroxy acid), which remove gunk and combat dullness. It's a bit on the pricier side, but a little goes a long way since the New York City-based derm suggests wearing this mask for 20 minutes and rinsing it away once a week.

Supermud Clearing Treatment

This bestselling charcoal mask is as luxurious as it is effective. With six exfoliating acids and activated charcoal, Supermud is great for chronic acne, but it has also been known to help with healing acne scars, as well.

Active ingredients: Activated charcoal

Customer review: "Smells minty, goes on easy, feels great on your face. When it starts to dry, you can feel your face pulsating, it's different from any mask I've ever used. It's a little harder to wash off, but worth the effort. Leaves your skin fresh, super clean and bright. Love this stuff! A+++"

Earth Mask

With super acne-fighting ingredients like zinc oxide, tea tree oil, and niacinamide, you can see why fans are calling this the "holy grail" of acne-treatment masks. One 5-star review said: "I use this mask whenever I have major breakouts, and this completely gets rid of any redness and bumps on my skin."

Active ingredients: Zinc oxide, tea tree oil, niacinamide

Customer review: "I was blown away by the effectiveness of this mask the first time I used it. My breakouts were noticeably less inflamed the next day. I've been using Earth Mask every week for about a year. It's still working."

Do face masks only treat acne?

Face masks do more than combat active breakouts. A masking sesh with a treatment enriched with brightening properties, like vitamin C, can help fade dark marks and hyperpigmentation from old breakouts. Weekly face mask treatments serve as a helpful follow-up for when you've zapped your zits and want to prevent your pores from clogging and triggering new ones.

Some acne-fighting treatments can be left on for extended periods of time, but "when used one to two times per week, face masks may help complement an acne-fighting routine," Dr. Garshick explains.

What's the difference between face masks and other acne treatments?

Pimple patches and spot treatments help clear breakouts overnight, but regular face masks work just as well. "The main differences among face masks relate to how long they are applied to the skin and the specific ingredients in the formulation itself," Dr. Garshick explains.

Clay and charcoal are two standout ingredients that help face masks work effectively. According to Dr. Garshick, clay "can help grab on to excess oil, dirt, debris and lift it out of the skin surface, helping to clear out pores and leaving the skin looking refreshed." Charcoal, on the other hand, "works to absorb excess oil and unclog the pores and draw out impurities," she adds.

The blemish-blocking ingredients don't end there. Exfoliating ingredients like beta-hydroxy acids (think trusty salicylic acid) also make an appearance in some face masks recommended by Dr. Garshick, but ultimately, it all boils down to what your skin needs. If you have oily skin, exfoliating masks clear pores of the debris that leads to breakouts. For dry skin, face masks are laced with nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid or niacinamide to soothe and revive.

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