The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask for oily acne-prone skin

Himalayan Charcoal
Oil Tree
Camellia Sinensis
Moroccan Lava Clay
Aloe Barbadensis
Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for oily acne-prone skin; other cleansing masks fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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
- Suitable for your oily skin, this mask utilizes kaolin and charcoal powder to effectively regulate sebum and purify pores, addressing oiliness and providing general cleansing benefits.
- While it offers good pore decongestion, it lacks specific ingredients to target your primary concerns of acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The formula is safe for your skin, with aloe and tea tree oil providing soothing properties and no harsh or prohibited ingredients.
How to apply
- Use your cleansing mask PM as part of your weekly routine. Start 1×/week and increase carefully if your oily skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this step after your enzyme powder and before your hydrating toner. Follow the standard weekly order to keep your skin balanced.
- Spread an even layer of the cleansing mask across your face while avoiding the eye area. Let it sit for the recommended time without rubbing .
- Apply the mask on clean and dry skin for the best purifying effect on your breakouts. Clean skin allows the formula to target blemishes directly.
- Always do a patch test before your first use to check for sensitivity. Avoid combining this mask with strong acids or retinoids in the same routine .
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 oily acne-prone skin?
This mask works okay for oily acne-prone skin because the charcoal and clays help soak up oil and clean out pores, but it lacks specific ingredients to target breakouts. A product of this type needs acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid or zinc oxide to properly clear up blemishes.
Which ingredients make this mask a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
This mask is a good fit for oily skin because it uses Himalayan Charcoal, Moroccan Lava Clay, and kaolin to clear out pores and keep extra oil under control, while aloe and tea tree oil help keep the skin calm. It also needs ingredients like salicylic acid and niacinamide to properly address acne and breakouts.
What does Himalayan Charcoal do for oily acne-prone skin?
Activated charcoal products lack clinical evidence to support claims that they can treat conditions like acne or provide exfoliative benefits. Oily and acne-prone skin needs products with ingredients that target excess oil and blemishes.
What does Tea Tree Oil do for oily acne-prone skin?
Tea tree oil helps calm oily, acne-prone skin by fighting the bacteria that cause breakouts and reducing pimples. It is unlikely to cause harsh side effects when used properly, making it a well-tolerated choice for clearing up the skin.
Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 2007The Medical Journal of Australia, 1990
Where does this mask go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleansing mask fits into a weekly routine as a once-a-week step after cleansing and enzyme powder, followed by toner, treatment, and moisturizer. Oily acne-prone skin also needs products with targeted acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to effectively clear blemishes and breakouts.
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 keeps your skin hydrated while helping manage oil, though this skin also needs targeted blemish-fighting ingredients to properly address breakouts.
How often should I use this mask?
This cleansing mask is suitable for weekly use to help clear out pores and manage oiliness on oily, acne-prone skin. Because it lacks specific ingredients to target acne and breakouts, a mask of this type needs added blemish-fighting ingredients and soothing plant extracts to better fit this skin type.
Can this mask clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This mask helps clear out pores and regulate oil, but because it lacks specific blemish-fighting ingredients, an oily acne-prone skin type needs extra targeted treatments with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to truly keep breakouts away.
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
Why other cleansing masks fit oily acne-prone skin better
Two percent supramolecular salicylic acid showed similar efficacy to 0.01% adapalene plus 5% benzoyl peroxide in reducing acne lesions in 31 patients over 28 days.
Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 2019Chemical peels with 30% supramolecular salicylic acid effectively treated acne and reduced facial sebum secretion while improving skin hydration and barrier function in 25 patients.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
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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