7 Earthy Face Masks from Natural Brands We Love

[Photo by Andriyko Podilnyk]

There’s something about spa products made with sand, stone, minerals, mud or clay that helps us feel grounded and calm. Ingredients derived from the earth often tout pleasing textures with natural clarifying properties, exfoliating particles, and scents familiar and beloved. The smell of wet dirt after a summer storm, for instance? Heaven.

Spa Substitutes to Try at Home

Here, we’ve rounded up seven detoxifying goodies that your skin and nature-loving side will appreciate. Whether your skin is feeling dry, dull or lackluster, these earthy face masks will leave your skin looking and feeling its best yet:

1. FarmHouse Fresh Sand Your Ground Clarifying Mud Exfoliation Mask ($37)

Made with Red Arizona Clay and organic willow bark extract, this sweet-smelling, earthy mask gives skin a dual action, absorbing bacteria and toxins while fine pumice polishes skin. Great for normal, oily or congested skin, it can be used as a mask, scrub or both, depending on your needs. Breakouts or redness? No problem—just skip the exfoliation and use as a mask 2-3 times a week. 

2. Sorella Rosehip Warming Mask ($60)

Get ready for an impressive warming sensation, take a deep breath, and relax as skin is clarified and regenerated. Best for normal to acne-prone skin, zeolites and two types of clay pull out toxins and free radicals while roseship oil infuses skin with vitamin C. Use 1-3 times per week to battle large pores and excess sebum with natural minerals and botanicals. 

3. Mad Hippie 2 Minute Polishing Mask ($17.99)

This exfoliating mask comes in a potent powder form that has physical exfoliates and natural skin enhancers. Organic rice bran and adzuki seed powder work to remove dirt and dead skin cells, while white clay and organic matcha green tea get rid of impurities and reduce inflammation. Mix a teaspoon of power with water to form a paste and apply over skin. Leave on for 2 minutes for an easy, naturally exfoliating treatment! 

4. True North Chaga & Manuka Honey Purifying Face Polish ($42)

Both a skin exfoliator and face mask, this earthy paste contains rich Manuka honey, nourishing oils, and the brand’s star ingredient: chaga! Chaga is a rare, wood-like mushroom and superfood chuck full of antioxidants. True North sustainably harvests chaga by hand from pristine forests in Maine before adding to this au natural polish. Best applied in the shower or over the sink as some granules will fall, apply by gently rubbing in circular motions and allow to set for 3-5 minutes. Kiss dull, dry skin goodbye with this purifying treatment! 

5. Cardea AuSet NOIRE Charcoal Mask ($38)

Charcoal has been having a moment for the last few years for good reason. This powder mask is as pure as they come featuring just two ingredients: activated charcoal and bentonite clay, sans preservatives. Mix equal parts powder with water or honey and apply to the entire face or targeted areas, then wipe clean with a damp cloth after 8-12 minutes. The activated charcoal stimulates blood flow and enhances circulation, while drawing dirt and toxins from pores. Bentonite clay ( aka volcanic ash) has a negative ionic charge, which envelops impurities and drenches skin in a plethora of natural minerals. 

Pro Tip: Because of the ionic charge in the clay, avoid mixing with a metal spoon. 

6. ECooking Clay Mask ($34) 

It makes perfect sense that clay masks were among some of the first beauty rituals ever used in ancient Egypt and beyond. Danish brand Ecooking sources a peptide extracted from Antarctic mud in their clay mask along with iris, zinc, salt and vitamin A to cleanse, refresh and reboot skin. Designed to conquer enlarged pores and inflammation, this fragrance-free formulation can be used 1-3 times a week on the face, neck, décolleté, and any other oily or blemish-prone areas.  

7. Elements of Aliel IM BEET Clay Mask ($26) 

This plant-based brand does not believe in fluff or fillers, instead providing natural actives that do the work. That being said, IM BEET has just a handful of ingredients including bentonite, beet root powder, rosehip and red clay to detoxify and brighten skin. Mix a teaspoon of mask powder with water to create a rich paste and apply to skin, then gently mix to exfoliate dead skin cells—allowing clay to dry for 10-15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.  A deep cleanse for your pores, this natural beauty can be used multiple times a week. 

[Images courtesy of brands]

Alisha Racker’s beauty career has spanned over a decade as she's worked as a master esthetician, skin care PR-pro and freelance writer. She lives in the beautiful mountains of Salt Lake City with her husband and daughter.