15 Effective Face Masks If You Want to Prevent and Get Rid of Blackheads

Blackheads are a special kind of annoying. They're pesky, persistent, and seem to be more difficult to clear out than other forms of skin congestion. Luckily, if you struggle with these particular kinds of invaders, you've come to the right place. If you have blackheads, dermatologists have recs to help you banish them for good.

I enlisted the help of two board-certified derms, Marisa Garshick, MD, and Azadeh Shirazi, MD for the full scoop on the matter. Their advice? Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate. "When dealing with blackheads or to prevent the formation, it can be important to use a retinoid to help regulate skin cell turnover to prevent pores from becoming clogged," says Garshick. "Additionally using salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid, can be helpful to penetrate deep into pores and help to unclog them as well as exfoliate away dead skin. Charcoal and clay-based products can also help to reduce the appearance of blackheads by drawing out the contents of the pores."

Shirazi also adds that AHA or BHA clearing pads can be helpful when dealing with blackheads, too. "My patients love [my] Clarify Pads with glycolic acid and 2% salicylic to treat this type of acne and improve skin texture. It comes with 60 pads and they're really easy to use. Some like to use them as both a cleansing wipe and toner in one." Shirazi also says if you prefer a good mask over treatment pads, it's best to use it one to three times a week to keep your pores clear. That being said, keep scrolling below for the best face masks for blackheads as picked by dermatologists.

Best Face Masks for Blackheads, at a Glance

• Best Overall: Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Minimizing Cleansing Clay Mask
• Best Budget: St. Ives Blackhead Clearing Scrub
• Best for Oily Skin: Dermalogica Clear Start Blackhead Clearing Fizz Mask
• Best for Sensitive Skin: Good Science Beauty Purifying Facial
• Best Fragrance-Free Formula: Acne Free Kaolin Clay Detox Mask

Best Face Masks for Blackheads in 2025

1. Best Overall: Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Minimizing Cleansing Clay Mask

2. Best Budget: St. Ives Blackhead Clearing Scrub

3. Best for Oily Skin: Dermalogica Clear Start Blackhead Clearing Fizz Mask

4. Best Fragrance-Free Formula: Acne Free Kaolin Clay Detox Mask

5. Best for Textured Skin: Cetaphil Pro DermaControl Purifying Clay Mask

7. Best for Sensitive Skin: Good Science Beauty Purifying Facial

7. Best Soothing: PCA Skin Purifying Mask

8. Best for Large Pores: Innisfree Pore Clearing Clay Mask

9. Best for Rosacea: AziMD Skincare Detox Mask

10. Best for Redness: Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial 

How We Chose

As with all of our buying guides at Who What Wear, we compile our edits based on original testing and expert recommendations. To find the best face masks for blackheads, we leaned heavily on expert insight and our knowledge as beauty experts. We also considered several factors, including key ingredients and size. We're aware of how important these factors are for a wide range of needs and preferences, so we made sure to list out all the helpful details. Of course, customer reviews were also kept in mind when creating this list.

Why Trust Who What Wear

Since 2006, Who What Wear has been a digital fashion, beauty, and lifestyle publication and community where people can discover the latest brands, trends, and must-have products to help define and evolve their personal style. Think of Who What Wear as your most trusted style and shopping resource.