The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask for combination skin

Himalayan Charcoal
Oil Tree
Camellia Sinensis
Moroccan Lava Clay
Aloe Barbadensis
Average
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for combination skin; other cleansing masks fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate suitability for your combination skin, as charcoal powder and kaolin effectively absorb impurities and decongest impurities, addressing your oily shine. However, the formula lacks sufficient humectants, which may not provide optimal hydration for your skin type.
- The presence of pumice and argan shell powder offers additional gentle exfoliation, which can further refine your skin's texture.
- The product is safe for your combination skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this cleansing mask during your PM routine once a week to control oil. Start slowly 3 times a week and increase if your skin feels comfortable.
- Apply the cleansing mask after the cleansing step and before using your hydrating toner. This ensures it works effectively on your skin.
- Spread an even layer over your face using gentle motions. Avoid any harsh rubbing to keep your skin calm.
- Apply the mask to clean and slightly damp skin for the best results. This helps the product target oily shine efficiently.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Do a simple patch test before your very first use.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 6.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this clay mask is widely praised by users with oily and combination skin for its intense purifying and exfoliating abilities, often described as a "detox" that leaves skin feeling exceptionally clean, smooth, and matte. Its potent formula, characterized by a strong tingling sensation and active ingredients like tea tree oil, can be too harsh for sensitive or dry skin types, occasionally causing redness or irritation.
Highlights
Deeply purifies Mostly Mentioned
- “sucks out dirt and impurities”
- “pores looked more refined”
- “cleared out persistent blocked pores”
Controls oil Often Mentioned
- “visibly works to remove oilies”
- “great for oily t-zone”
- “balances the oil”
Exfoliates and smooths Often Mentioned
- “leaves skin feeling fresh and revived”
- “skin felt amazingly soft and smooth”
- “polishes and smooths over my skin”
Refreshing sensation Sometimes Noted
- “refreshing cooling effect”
- “intensely tingly and refreshing”
- “feels really calming”
Difficult removal Sometimes Noted
- “tough to remove”
- “scrubbing the mask off”
- “high maintenance when removing”
Intense tingling Sometimes Noted
- “it burns so much”
- “eyes were watering”
- “burning sensation was too much”
Potential irritation Rarely Noted
- “redness and inflammation”
- “not for sensitive skin”
- “left my skin feeling tight”
Strong scent Rarely Noted
- “smell is pretty intense”
- “made my eyes water”
- “fragrance is a little overpowering”
Sources: lovi.care, influenster.com, thebodyshop.com, nykaa.com, fashioneyesta.com, thesammidiaries.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask work for combination skin?
This mask works reasonably well for your combination skin by absorbing oily shine and gently exfoliating to make your skin feel smooth. However, it lacks enough hydrating ingredients to properly care for the drier areas of your skin. A cleansing mask for combination skin needs a balanced mix of oil-controlling ingredients like salicylic acid and zinc oxide alongside hydrating ingredients like glycerin.
Which ingredients make this mask a good fit for combination skin?
Charcoal powder and kaolin make this mask a fit for your combination skin by absorbing impurities and reducing oily shine, while pumice helps refine your skin texture. To work even better for this skin type, a cleansing mask needs a balance of oil-controlling ingredients like salicylic acid alongside hydrating agents to care for drier areas.
What does Himalayan Charcoal do for combination skin?
Activated charcoal products lack clinical evidence to support claims that they can treat skin conditions or provide exfoliative benefits for combination skin. A product of this type needs ingredients that balance oil while keeping dry areas soft and smooth.
What does Tea Tree Oil do for combination skin?
Tea tree oil helps balance combination skin by safely improving the skin barrier and reducing excess oil. It is unlikely to cause irritation when used properly, and it may help clear up breakouts while keeping the skin calm and smooth.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2022Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 2006
Where does this mask go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This cleansing mask fits into a weekly evening routine after removing makeup and cleansing, and before using a toner and moisturizer. Combination skin needs a clay mask with added hydrating ingredients to balance oil absorption with enough moisture.
Can I use this mask with hyaluronic acid, and in what order?
Yes, you can use this mask alongside hyaluronic acid by applying your hyaluronic acid serum after rinsing off the mask and before your moisturizer. This routine helps replenish the extra moisture your combination skin needs, as this mask lacks sufficient hydrating ingredients.
How often should I use this mask?
You can use this mask once a week as part of your weekly routine. A product for combination skin like this needs enough hydrating ingredients to balance the purifying clay and charcoal.
Can this mask clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This mask is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on combination skin because it uses clays and charcoal to absorb impurities, though it lacks enough moisture-binding ingredients to keep dry areas balanced. A good product for this skin type needs both oil-absorbing clays and deep hydrating ingredients to keep the skin clear and soft.
Is this mask fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It contains fragrance (parfum, limonene, linalool, citral, geraniol, and coumarin) and drying alcohol (alcohol denat).
What the research says
Soap-and-water wash and superactive charcoal paste applied topically at various times after T-2 toxin exposure effectively reduced skin lesion severity in swine compared to untreated controls.
Fundamental and Applied Toxicology, 1989Topical lycopene-enriched virgin olive oil provides effective pain relief similar to a placebo in patients with burning mouth syndrome, showing a strong placebo effect.
Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 2014Topical green tea extract significantly improved clinical symptoms, tear breakup times, and meibomian gland health compared to standard treatment in patients with dry eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 2017Topical low-dose green tea extract reduces UVB-induced p53 expression and apoptosis in human skin keratinocytes compared to placebo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2009An anti-acne hydrogel containing Aloe barbadensis, Garcinia mangostana, and Camellia sinensis extracts showed superior antiacne and antiblotch activities compared to 1% clindamycin gel in sixty subjects with mild-moderate acne.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Vectorization of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid with clay enabled its penetration into deeper skin layers and led to a significant clinical reduction in fine lines in the crow's feet area compared to placebo after 28 days.
Skin Research and Technology, 2024Twice-weekly use of a clay mask over 4 weeks in 75 adults with oily or combination skin improved acne-related outcomes, sebum content, skin evenness, hydration, and reduced dryness and irritation.
Skin Research and Technology, 2023Clay jojoba oil facial masks reduced total skin lesions by a mean of 54% after 6 weeks in 133 participants with acne-prone, lesioned skin and mild acne compared to baseline.
Forschende Komplementarmedizin, 2012A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010
Ingredients
Water, Kaolin, Moroccan Lava Clay, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Alcohol Denat, Camellia Sinensis Leaf, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Pumice, Argania Spinosa Shell Powder, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Charcoal Powder, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter, Limonene, Linalool, Methylpropanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Menthol, Disodium Edta, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Melaleuca Alternifolia Oil Leaf Tree, Eucalyptus Globulus Oil Leaf, Citric Acid, Menthoxypropanediol, Citral, Geraniol, Coumarin, Caramel
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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