It's Mask O'Clock: The five clay masks that actually work wonders on my sensitive skin

I’m a big winner in the skin care concern lottery: I have sensitive combination skin. This means that my t-zone (forehead and nose) gets very oily, while my u-zone (cheeks and chin) turn dry and flaky. My pores also love forming comedones, making me more prone to getting enlarged pores and pimples. It has been extra challenging to find skin care products that work for my various issues because my skin can get really reactive, flaring up whenever I come near anything it doesn’t like!

Despite all of that, I’m very happy to report that I’ve found quite a few clay masks that don’t make my skin red, angry, and irritated. These masks have become a vital part of my weekly skin care routine, as regular use has helped me manage congested pores, oil production, and dry flakes.

But first, a short note on sensitive skin and YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary)

Our skin care reviews here on Project Vanity include a YMMV disclaimer. While we share recommendations based on our own experiences, it’s quite possible that others may have different results. This is especially true for those with sensitive skin! It means that even products that worked for my sensitive skin may still trigger negative reactions in others.

For example, my skin reacts badly to products with perfume, alcohol, and witch hazel extract. These ingredients cause my skin to get irritated, but they may work fine for someone else with sensitive skin but have different triggers from mine. Because of this, I’ll do my best to discuss the active ingredients in each product on my list. 

Human Nature Pollution Defense Face Mask (P450 for 100g, Human Nature)

By far the gentlest clay mask I’ve tried, Human Nature’s Pollution Defense Mask truly does help draw out oil and impurities from the skin. In fact, it kind of maps out the pores on my face as it dries—the mask is blue when freshly applied, but becomes lighter on top of my oily pores. It has a deep-cleansing mix of bentonite clay, kaolin clay, and bamboo charcoal that is balanced by nourishing botanicals. 

This mask is very easy to apply and washes off quite easily, unlike other clay masks I’ve tried. On top of all of that, I love that it comes in a hygienic and convenient tube packaging. I don't know if its anti-pollution claim is true (I think you’ll need more than a mask to address that issue) but I do find this to be gentle yet effective!

In Her Element Petal Skin Rose Clay Mask (P875 for 100g, inherelement.ph)

To be honest, I was initially scared to try a clay mask with a powerful active like glycolic acid. But after reading how well it worked for the other PV girls, my curiosity was piqued. I was convinced to try it when I learned that it used white kaolin, one of the gentlest types of clay.  I’m so happy that I did, because I discovered that Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) actually work well for my skin! 

I anticipated the initial sting I felt upon mask application, but true enough it gradually wore off, unlike the eventual itch and redness of getting a bad reaction. I let it sit for a maximum of 10 minutes, and then rejoice at the brighter skin uncovered after rinsing off with lukewarm water. It’s like a reset button for my troubled skin, particularly when my combination leans more towards dry and flaky.

Naruko Tea Tree Purifying Clay Mask & Cleanser In One (P399 for 120g, SM Beauty)

Admittedly, I bought this on impulse when I spotted it at in a 2 + 1 bundle. I was particularly drawn to the “Clay Mask and Cleanser in One” idea because at the time, I was using a clay mask that was SO difficult to wash off. Although my skin is irritated by many essential oils (including tea tree oil) and menthol, I found that this mask doesn’t agitate my skin—provided that I don’t leave it on for longer than the recommended 5 minutes. 

This one also features kaolin clay, with the surprising addition of skin care actives glycolic acid and retinol. True to its name, it washes off easily, and actually foams up when activated with water! I just have to take extra care while rinsing, as it contains blue jojoba beads that add a level of physical exfoliation. Overall, it’s a great multitasking product perfect for when I’m feeling lazy but need a more thorough cleanse.

Althea Milk Peel Cream Mask (P700 for 50ml, Althea PH)

I was SO confused about this product. With a dozen buzzwords in its name and product description, I didn’t really know what to expect. After a patch test on my arm yielded no negative effects, I gave it a whirl. It had the typical clay mask feel when I pumped product into my hand, but as I massaged it into my wet face, it started to rise! So yes, it starts out as a clay mask but ends up as a “whipped cream bubble” cream mask. 

Sam has written a more detailed review, which I find very similar to my experience with the product. We both liked that this clay-to-foam mask can be washed off after just a minute or two on the face. Even if it contains AHA, BHA, and fragrance, it didn’t cause a negative reaction on my skin, possibly because I only leave it on my face for a minute.  I personally like using this in the shower!

Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Honey Mask (P1,800 for 75mL, SM Makati) 

I didn’t want to like this because it’s one of the most expensive clay masks I’ve tried, but the Clear Improvement Charcoal Honey Mask zaps away my pimples! This is considered to be a gentler alternative to the original Clear Improvement Mask, with the addition of soothing honey and cleansing bamboo charcoal. 

To be clear: I only use this as a spot treatment on angry zits, not all over my face. Its clay component is mostly bentonite, a “stronger” type of clay, mixed with some kaolin. I found it too drying when used on the whole face, but I learned to make it work after I attended one of Project Vanity’s Origins workshops. I’m so glad it all worked out in the end, because after using this for 5 minutes at night, I wake up to flatter, less irate zits in the morning. A literally clear improvement! 

It’s been somewhat of an odyssey, navigating through the sea of skin care products to find ones that work for me and my sensitive, trouble-prone skin. I found that it was inevitable to make mistakes; but as long as I learned from them no harm was done (permanently, at least!). 

What really helped was finding out which specific ingredients triggered my skin’s reactions, and to always remember to patch test whenever possible! Do you have sensitive skin, too? Have you found clay masks that worked for your skin, as well? 

Photography by Nicole Quindara