We Tried 10 Natural Face Masks (+ The Best For Each Skin Type!)

It feels so good to have a solid beauty routine that allows you to decrease stress and feel your best.

When it comes to personal wellness regimens, face masks are a luxury for some and a non-negotiable for others. However, generic masks—and other personal care products like makeup—often contain toxic chemicals (such as endocrine-disrupting phthalates), allergens, and unnecessary ingredients.

To make matters worse, greenwashing runs rampant in the beauty industry, with many brands boasting “clean,” “natural,” or “safe” on their labels, when in reality, their ingredient lists tell a different story.

Luckily, there’s no shortage of natural and non-toxic face masks that you can add to your skincare routine. Most of these ones use simple, skin-nourishing ingredients like raw honey, spirulina powder, or kaolin clay can help to restore, brighten, and bring moisture back to the skin.

Whether you’re seeking exfoliation to bring a dull complexion back to life or purifying properties to combat blemishes, there are plenty of clean face masks to choose from. In this guide, we’re going to tell you about our favorite pre-made face masks (which come in a variety of types), and then I’ll give you some DIY recipes so you can make your own if you want to.

This guide contains product recommendations, and we may receive compensation through affiliate links or editorial fees. As always, we only make recommendations that are genuine!

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The Best Non-Toxic & Organic Face Masks for Every Skin Type—Reviewed!

withSimplicity Fizz-C Purifying Clay Mask (Best for Combination Skin)

Good for: Any / all skin types. Combination skin, clogged pores, blackheads, dull skin, gentle exfoliation.

Price: $8

This clay mask comes in a powder that you mix with water to create a fizzy, mildly energizing experience.

This is similar to your typical clay mask, which works to clarify and unclog pores. Except they also combine lava clay with a dose of vitamin C to give the skin’s barrier a boost.

It has a tiny bit of grit to it as well, so you can get exfoliation as you put it on and take it off.

It smells good, too! The combination of rose, myrrh, and pine gives it a nature-y vibe. My skin is noticeably softer right after using it and I think this mask is a great addition to my weekly routine. I have always struggled with blackheads, so I like a good pore-cleanser that won’t dry out my skin.

The directions say to use 1 part powder and 1 part water. But in my experience, this leads to a thinner mask. If you want to thicken it up a little bit, you could add a little more powder. The thinner mask works just fine; I think it’s just a little messier.

I’d definitely re-buy this one! withSimplicity has a few other natural face mask options as well, including a purifying clay one, a spirulina correcting mask, an enzyme one, a matcha one, a ‘complexion rescue’ honey one, a pro-age option, and a brightening turmeric one. I definitely want to give some more of these a try at some point too.

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Annmarie Radiant-C Mask & Polish (Best Overall, Best for Brightening)

Good for: Normal, combination, and oily skin, dull skin, dark spots and uneven tone, rough texture, exfoliation

Price: $85 (for the full sized; the one pictured above came from a travel pack)

This a powder that you mix with water (1 tsp of each) to make a face mask.

Abbie’s review:

I’m definitely a fan of this one. The texture stays gritty the whole time—it doesn’t fully dissolve—so you get a lot of exfoliation as you put it on and as you take it off.

It’s the kind of mask that hardens as it dries on your face, making your face feel low-key paralyzed. But if you want something less intense, you can also mix it with other things too—like honey, their pearl mask (below), or your favorite cleanser. This can help it stay on the softer side.

It’s got a lot of antioxidant and vitamin C-rich herb and fruit extracts, including hibiscus, acerola cherry, kakadu plum, camu camu, goji berry, amla berry, strawberry, seabuckthorn fruit, and lemon peel powders! This ultimately leads to a lot of natural brightening powers that can help even out dark spots and even out your skin’s texture.

It does have a slight smell to it, but it’s not strong. I think it’s the hibiscus and/or cherry that I’m smelling because it’s kind of fruity. I like it! It’s different than any other masks I’ve tried.

I would say probably be careful about getting this mask on fabrics. It’s a pretty deep red, so I bet it can stain.

My skin feels the softest after using this mask. I will definitely re-buy this one. I think it’s one of my favorite Annmarie products I’ve tried.

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Annmarie Illuminating Pearl Mask (Best Hydrating / Best for Dry & Sensitive Skin)

Good for: All skin types—including dry and sensitive skin—hydration, dullness, morning use

Price: $68 (for the full sized; the one pictured above came from a travel pack)

Abbie’s review:

This mask is gentler than the Radiant-C Mask & Polish. It does not need to be mixed with water; it comes ready to apply. It has a creamy, gel-like consistency and goes on smoothly. It also doesn’t make your face feel hard and paralyzed like the Radiant-C one does.

It still makes a noticeable difference in the way my skin feels when I rinse it off, though. This one is more of a hydrator than an exfoliator, so you can safely use it in the morning if you want to.

It’s got ‘mountain wildflower honey’ from Colorado, turmeric for inflammation control, licorice root extract and uva ursi for skin illumination, and pearl powder for antioxidants!

The smell of this one is not super strong. It’s nice though—kind of relaxing.

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True Botanicals At-Home Facialist Peel (Best for Mature Skin)

Good for: Anti-aging, fine lines, rough or uneven texture, dullness, uneven tone

Price: $68

Abbie’s review:

I wanted to try this out to help even out my skin. And my skin is noticeably smoother after using it.

This is a thin mask, not one of those thick ‘detox’ clay ones. You can barely even see it when it’s on. I uses an effective blend of acids (AHA, BHA, PHA, and THX) for professional-grade exfoliation. And then they combine it with things like aloe leaf juice and antioxidant-rich rosemary help soothe the skin at the same time.

You can feel it working—there is definitely a tingly sensation—but it’s not too harsh for me at all. My face is not even red when I wash it off. (Just be careful not to use too much!)

I’d absolutely re-buy this one. I notice a huge difference in the texture of my skin after using this and I think it could go a long way in a holistic anti-aging regimen.

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Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay (Most Affordable)

Good for: Oily skin, acne-prone skin, clogged pores, budget shoppers, body and underarm detox (switching to natural deodorant)

Price: $15

Celia’s review:

This clay mask only contains one ingredient: 100% natural calcium bentonite (green) clay, which effectively draws out impurities and evens out skin tone.

It’s a deep pore-cleansing solution that can be used on the face, body, or hair. It can even be used to make clay baths, foot baths, or treat insect bites.

To use this mask, combine equal parts of clay with either water or apple cider vinegar to form a paste. Apply to the desired area and allow 5-20 minutes for the product to dry, depending on how sensitive your skin is.

I used to “borrow” (aka steal) this mask from my sister back when I was in high school all the time. I had no idea what non-toxic beauty was then, but I knew this product worked wonders. My skin always felt smoother, glowier, and as soft as a baby after using it. Heads up, though: it can get a bit messy when you rinse it off!

Abbie’s review:

I’ve used this mask off and on for probably… 15 or 20 years now?! Not only does it really work, but a jar of it lasts a long time. Most of the time, I mix it with apple cider vinegar, but if I want a slightly gentler mask, I’ll just mix it with water. It makes a great pit mask, too (especially if you’re in the process of making the switch from conventional to natural deodorant!)

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cocokind Turmeric Mask Stick (Best Mask Stick for Spot Treatment)

Good for: All skin types, spot treatment, dark spots, redness and inflammation, overnight use, budget shoppers, teens

Price: $9

Celia’s review:

This mask stick utilizes organic turmeric root powder, ginger root powder, and tea tree oil to reduce dark spots, brighten the skin tone, reduce inflammation, and combat oxidative stress. It nourishes, purifies, soothes, and cleanses the skin.

This mask can be applied as a spot treatment, regular mask, or as an overnight treatment.

Personally, I love using this as a spot treatment or an all-over mask. It leaves my skin smooth, glowy, and bright. I have noticed a yellowish tint that can get left behind after using it for an extended period. However, it’s not very noticeable and fades quickly (you won’t look like an oompa loompa forever, haha!).

You can rinse off this mask with warm water, but using toner on a cotton pad helps to get the yellow tint out much faster. If you’re using it as an overnight mask, make sure to put a towel over your pillow to avoid making the mistake of staining your sheets!

Related: Here’s Lauren P’s review of their turmeric tonic, which is the spot treatment version.

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Chagrin Valley Activated Charcoal Clay Face Mask (Best for Blackheads; Fragrance-Free; Most Minimal Ingredients)

Good for: Oily skin, acne-prone skin, blackheads, enlarged pores, combination skin (T-zone), fragrance-free

Price: $22

This clay mask is made for sensitive skin with only three ingredients: rose kaolin clay, organic rose petals, and organic hibiscus. The pink clay helps to balance sensitive skin and provides gentle exfoliation. It doesn’t draw oil in the same way that many clay masks do, making it ideal for drier skin types while improving cell renewal, elasticity, and overall skin texture.

Organic rose petals are packed with antioxidants to refresh the skin, shrink large pores, cleanse, hydrate, and tone the skin. The organic hibiscus (which some people have nicknamed the “botox plant”—I wouldn’t go that far) helps to aid in a youthful appearance of the skin and retain moisture while providing anti-inflammatory benefits.

Chagrin Valley also has three other organic face mask varieties: Rose & Hibiscus, Green Tea & Adzuki, and Cocoa & Espresso.

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Toups & Co Resurfacing Mask (Best for Frequent Use)

Good for: Sensitive skin, dry skin, mature skin, puffiness, gentle exfoliation, frequent use (up to 3x a week), teens

Price: $68

Abbie’s Take:

Texture-wise, this feels kind of like putting toothpaste on your face. 😆 Not saying it’s a bad thing—just telling you what it’s like!

The main ingredient is raw honey, which is has multiple skin benefits (anti-inflammation, moisturization, exfoliating, etc.), but is also super gentle for people with sensitive skin. (Also, if you end up getting some of this mask on your lips and licking it off—it tastes good!)

Some of the other ingredients include blue algae extract, AHA fruit acid, and kaolin clay. All together, these ingredients are meant to help reduce puffiness, calm inflammation, smooth wrinkles, and just generally give skin more of a glow.

What I really like about this mask is that it’s not harsh at all. You can use it up to three times a week.

I do feel like it left my skin softer after the first use, although the difference was subtle. I could see how being consistent and using it regularly could probably really make a difference in the skin’s overall appearance. (Maybe I’ll try to actually be consistent with it and update this again later!)

Because of how gentle it is, I think this could be a really good option for people with sensitive skin and kids/teens. Or just want something you can use more frequently, then I would definitely recommend giving this Toups & Co. one a try. Overall, I do like it!

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The ones that didn’t quite hit the mark:

DIME Dewy Recovery Mask

Good for: Overnight mask, deep hydration, anti-aging

Price: $42

Abbie’s Review:

Overall, I really like this product from a user perspective. It’s not what you’d usually think of when you think of a face mask—it has more of a thick moisturizer feel.

You can either use it as a regular mask where you put it on for 15-20 minutes and then wash it off for a quick dose of hydration, or you can use it as an overnight mask and then rinse it off in the morning. (I’ve used it both ways.)

The star ingredients are snow mushroom extract, which “holds 500x its weight in water for deep hydration,” NAD+, which supports DNA repair, and vitamin C, which of course helps with skin brightening and protection against toxicants.

I can definitely attest to the fact that my skin feels noticeable softer and more plump after using this mask. It makes for a nice skin-pick-me-up in the morning, but I’ve also used it as a nighttime moisturizer. I was a little afraid it might stain my pillowcase because it doesn’t really soak into your skin all the way, but I haven’t noticed that happening at all.

Allllll of that said, though, there are a few ingredients in this product that I don’t love… Mainly a few liquid plastics (or ‘might-be’ liquid plastics): Dimethicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, and Isododecane. These are not traditional plastics and they aren’t necessarily toxic while we have them on our skin. But there are questions about whether or not they can truly biodegrade, or whether they simply contribute to our growing micro/nanoplastic problem. If you want to learn more, here’s a podcast episode I did about it.

It also may be worth noting that this contains caprylhydroxamic acid, which can be an allergen for people with very sensitive skin.

To sum it up: I do like the way it makes my skin feel, but I’m trying to reduce the amount of (potential) liquid plastics that I have in my cabinet. For that reason, I wouldn’t re-buy this one unless they reformulated it.

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Bubble Come Clean Detoxifying Face Mask

Good for: All skin types (dry, oily, combo, sensitive and acne-prone)

Price: $19

This detoxifying mask uses ingredients like montmorillonite (purple clay), melia azadirachta flower extract (for antioxidants), and azelaic acid (for exfoliation and anti-acne properties).

Abbie’s review:

I’m going to be honest, I didn’t love this mask. The “bubble” container it comes in could be fun for tweens and teens, but it’s SO MUCH PLASTIC for so little product!

The mask itself did make a difference; my skin felt softer and clearer after using it. But I didn’t feel like it was as effective as most of the other masks I’ve tried.

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Even More Non-Toxic Face Masks

Here are some more clean face masks that I’d like to try out eventually:

• OSEA: Their Red Algae Clarifying Mask looks like it’d be great for purifying pores without drying your skin out. | Here’s my full OSEA review. Code THEFILTERY10 will get you 10% off.
• Earth Harbor: They make a BLUE CRUSH Perfecting Mask, a GLOW JUICE Refining Peel, and a PINK SURF Reset Mask. | Here’s my review of their other products I’ve tried. Code THEFILTERY15 will get you 15% off.
• Primally Pure: They have several different kinds—Soothing, Plumping, Regenerative Hemp, Coffee, and Clarifying. (The clarifying one has colloidal silver though, which I’m not the biggest fan of.) | Read our full Primally Pure review. Code THEFILTERY will get you 10% off.
• 100% Pure: They have a few different natural sheet masks, including Matcha Antioxidant, Coffee Caffeine Recovery, and Brightening Ginseng Royal Jelly.
• Roots & Leaves: They have a Pumpkin Enzyme Mask (that I’d love to try!) and a Detox Mask. | Use code THEFILTERY.
• Rowe Casa Organics: They have a Detox Mask as well. | THEFILTERY20 will get you 20% off.

This is by no means an exhaustive list—I could easily keep adding more! There are a lot of great non-toxic skincare brands out there these days, many of which carry face masks that target a variety of skin needs.

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Celia’s DIY Face Mask Recipes

A fun and budget-friendly way to get your hands on clean face masks is by creating them yourself. Here are some of the best DIY face mask recipes using ingredients you likely already own!

(Before trying out your creation, be sure to conduct a patch test to prevent irritation. You can do this behind your ear or on your wrist to make sure there’s no adverse reaction.)

Manuka Honey Mask Recipe (For All Skin Types)

For a bare-bones recipe using just one ingredient, apply manuka honey to damp skin. (However much you need to cover your face—usually about 1 or 2 tablespoons). Leave on for 20-30 minutes and rinse off with warm water.

In the past, I’ve used straight manuka honey as both a mask and a cleanser! It’s simple, effective, and leaves you with a glowy, fresh complexion.

I possible, you could go for local honey in order to support your local farmers and beekeepers, and to support the pollinators in your area.

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Pumpkin Face Mask Recipe (For All Skin Types)

This pumpkin mask from Elle is cooling, plumping, and softening. Pumpkin contains alpha hydroxy acids, which can help aid in gentle exfoliation.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp pumpkin, cooked or canned (if cooked, allow to cool completely)
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tsp topical vitamin E

Directions: Mix the ingredients until they form a smooth consistency. Apply all over the face and let sit for 15 minutes, then rinse off with warm water.

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Avocado Face Mask Recipe (For Dry Skin)

This Naive Cook Cooks recipe uses avocados to bring dull, dry skin back to life. The lactic acid in yogurt provides light exfoliation, leaving you feeling extra smooth.

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe avocado
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 3-4 tbsp plain yogurt
• A pinch of turmeric

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients into a bowl, mashing together to create a smooth consistency. Apply the mask in a thick layer to the face. Rinse off with warm water after 30 minutes.

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Honey and Lemon Mask Recipe (For Combination Skin)

This moisturizing DIY mask from Be Beautiful helps to balance the skin, hydrating dry patches of the face while eliminating excess oil. Raw honey (specifically raw manuka honey) works best, but if you don’t have any, regular honey will do the trick.

Ingredients:

• 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp honey

Directions:

Squeeze the juice of a whole lemon and mix it with honey. Evenly apply the mixture to damp skin and leave it on for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water and hydrate using your favorite moisturizer.

For an extra skin-quenching boost, mix in a tablespoon of olive oil. Olive oil can provide intense moisture to the skin barrier, aiding in exfoliation, reducing inflammation and irritation, and combatting fine lines and wrinkles.

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Cucumber Face Mask Recipe (For Oily or Acne-Prone Skin)

This DIY mask recipe from Byrdie uses cucumber, aloe, and honey to provide soothing, balancing, repairing, hydrating, and gentle exfoliation to the skin.

Ingredients:

• 1 aloe leaf
• 1 sliced cucumber
• 1 tbsp honey (are you noticing a trend? 😆)
• 1 tbsp plain yogurt

Directions:

Blend together one aloe leaf with one sliced cucumber to create a gel-like consistency. Add the honey and yogurt and thoroughly mix all the ingredients. Apply the DIY face mask and rinse away using warm water after 15 minutes.

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Where to Find Natural Face Masks

You can order from this list or make your own DIY mask, but another great way to find a natural self-care solution is by hitting up your local small businesses. My favorite mask that I’ve ever used is this honey and neem powder from the farmer’s market (pictured above). It’s clarifying, brightening, and anti-inflammatory. The ingredients are simple: it’s just honey, milk, organic turmeric, oatmeal, cornstarch, fruit sugar, and neem. Plus, it was only $8!

Hopefully, this list has helped you find your next favorite natural and non-toxic face mask for your skincare routine. Cheers to clean self-care!