15 Best Face Masks for Acne-Prone Skin

There can be a lot of contributing factors at play when it comes to acne. The basic cause is oil and clogged pores, but the reasons for excessive oil production and subsequent bacteria-fueled inflammation can range anywhere from hormones to small infections.

While severe acne usually requires more heavy, medicinal lifting in terms of treatment, you can improve more mild breakouts with topical application.

Here’s five recipes for natural ingredients and how they work:

1. Mix together 1/2 teaspoon turmeric + 1 tablespoon honey

Leave on for: 10–15 mins

Why it works: “Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory and can help reduce inflammation in the skin,” says Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD, FAAD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale New Haven Hospital, and co-creator of Pure BioDerm.

Powder or plant, turmeric can be turned into a paste for topical application. Mixing it with honey, an antioxidant-rich product that’s also naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial, may help soothe inflamed skin and prevent future breakouts.

2. Mix 1 to 2 drops of tea tree oil into your clay mask

Leave on for: 10–15 mins (no more than 30)

Why it works: “Tea tree oil is a tried and true antibacterial and anti-inflammatory,” Robinson says. While research has found it to be an effective natural acne fighter, it can be potent in high doses and when applied directly on skin. “Be cautious as higher concentrations can be irritating to the skin.”

Due to its potential hormone-disrupting properties, dilute 1 to 2 drops with honey or in your calcium bentonite clay mask, which creates a barrier between the skin and possible irritants.

Another option? Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with 12 drops of a carrier oil, like olive, jojoba, or sweet almond. Massage it in like moisturizer (avoiding the eyes) on cleansed skin. Leave on for 5 to 8 mins. Use a warm towel to massage off and continue the rest of your skin care routine (skip toner, if you do this).

Keep in mind when embarking on a tea tree oil journey that studies documenting its effectiveness are mostly long-term, so consistent use will be more successful than one-night spot treatment.

3. Witch hazel in rose water and your clay mask

Leave on for: 10–15 mins (no more than 30)

Why it works: A botanical extract that’s often used as an astringent, witch hazel may help remove excess oil from the skin. It’s also naturally antibacterial, and its anti-inflammatory properties make it a good option to try for angry, red bumps.

For a skin-soothing mask that packs acne-fighting power, try mixing a few drops of witch hazel with rose or white tea water. Use that water to hydrate your bentonite clay mask. “Avoid preparations with alcohol in the base as it can strip the skin and be irritating,” Robinson advises.

4. Blend aloe vera and turmeric or green tea

Leave on for: 15–20 mins

Why it works: “Aloe is a natural calming ingredient,” Robinson says. “It can be helpful if acne is very inflamed and irritated to help calm the skin.”

This plant also has naturally-occurring salicylic acid and sulfur, which makes it an ideal opponent of acne, especially for folks with oily skin.

Mix it with other powerful ingredients like powdered turmeric or green tea to help with oil control and sensitive skin.

Bonus: Aloe may also work from the inside out: One study found that drinking aloe vera juice may help improve mild-to-moderate acne.

5. Left over oatmeal, no sugar

Leave on for: 20–30 mins

Why it works: Oats contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and oat bran specifically is a good source of B complex vitamins, vitamin E, protein, fat, and minerals.

Boil oats with water, as you normally would for a healthy breakfast option, and allow the mixture to cool completely before applying to skin for a soothing mask session.

You really can’t go wrong when using oatmeal for skin issues, but add a few drops of tea tree oil or turmeric for compound results.

BEFORE YOU APPLY ANYTHING TO YOUR FACE…Make sure your skin is thoroughly cleansed and your pores are ready. To relax your skin, do a self-steam with a hot towel to help loosen dead skin cells and debris. But if you have rosacea, psoriasis, or severe acne, ask a dermatologist. If you don’t have one to ask, skip the steam to avoid a potential reaction.

10 best face masks to buy

Sometimes a DIY mixture just doesn’t cut it. For products with more potency, an over-the-counter fix may deliver extra acne-fighting oomph:

How to keep your skin strong

Once you’re done masking, it’s important to adjust your routine to let your skin rest and heal. Make sure you sidestep any irritants or obstacles that could sabotage your success.

For example:

• If you opted for an acid-heavy treatment, avoid layering any other type of acid on your skin that day.
• Avoid over-washing your skin before or after treatment.
• Avoid using active acne-fighting ingredients in every step of your routine.
• Always apply moisturizer — and always, always use sunscreen before stepping outside.

While masking can be a great way to combat breakouts, you should only mask once or twice a week. You don’t want to completely dry out your skin or take away its natural ability to fight acne and blemishes.

Most of the masks mentioned above are great go-to spot treatments or weekly maintenance measures, but make sure you have a solid acne-fighting regimen in place for your everyday routine.

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