I've Tried Dozens of Charcoal Masks—These Are the Ones That Calm My Skin

Back in the day, charcoal was the go-to ingredient for oily skin. I remember growing up seeing adverts of smiling women with their T-zones coated in a rich black paste promising to halt breakouts and minimise pores. Since then, skincare has moved on leaps and bounds, and there are dozens of newer ingredients, such as salicylic acid and niacinamide, that help calm oiliness and improve skin texture. And while nothing can actually make your pores smaller, these wonder ingredients do help to de-clog pores and even out texture.

Saying that, I really do believe that a good charcoal mask is a quick-fire way to pull oil and grime from pores and prep the skin pre-makeup if you have oily/combination skin like I do. I’ve tried loads that have dried out my skin, as I have a combo skin type, but the below clear oiliness without leaving skin feeling tight. However, I must add a caveat that I always follow with a hyaluronic acid serum and a nourishing, light cream for happy, plump skin.

best-charcoal-masks-299618-1651332419929-main

(Image credit: @emmahoareau)

Best Charcoal Masks