The Caudalie Instant Detox Mask ($39) has been flooding our feeds lately, thanks in large part to the pore-clearing miracles that it works. It’s made with a pink clay and coffee, the combination of which works as a vacuum to suck up dirt, oil, and toxins. After the gunk has been drawn out, the clay then tightens your pores, helping them fend off any other environmental muck that’s trying to infiltrate them. In addition to the clay, the mask is also formulated with detoxifying grape marc (one of Caudalie’s brand-wide hero ingredients) and brightening papaya enzymes. Ridding your pores of acne-causing dirt and oil, the way this mask does, is a surefire way to stop pimples before they start, making it a great choice for oily and acne-prone skin.
After leaving the mask on for five minutes, you can slowly start to see the grime emerging from your pores. And it’s worth noting that five minutes is all you need, especially if you have dry or sensitive skin. “The one thing pretty much everyone gets wrong about a clay face mask is letting it dry completely,” Sharon McGlinchey, celebrity facialist and founder of MV Skincare, previously told Well+Good. “The final drying stage of a clay mask draws moisture from the surface of the skin, leaving it blotchy.”
Caudalie Instant Detox Mask
The truth, she explains, is that you’ll get the most benefits from the mask when it’s damp (which is when its minerals can best absorb into your skin) and at the very beginning of the drying phase. With that in mind, you can wash it off before it starts to crack and harden and still expect to walk away with clear pores.
As someone with dry skin, I’ve traditionally shied away from clay masks, but this formulation—combined with McGlinchey’s application tips–leaves my skin feeling clean without being dehydrated. I love that I can see the oil being pulled out of my pores, because it lets me know that the mask is really working. Oftentimes, I’ll use it as a treatment on my T-zone, which tends to be the oiliest and most breakout-prone part of my face. It’s become the most #oddlysatisfying part of my routine, and my skin is grateful for it.
Want even more beauty intel from our editors? Join Well+Good’s Fine Print Facebook group (and follow us on Instagram) for must-know tips and tricks.
Our editors independently select these products. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission.