Clay mask vs peel-off jelly mask

By Omorfia. Last updated 7 November 2026. 4 min read.

A clay mask takes up oil from the surface of your skin and you wash it off. A peel-off jelly mask stays soft and cool, holds water against your skin while it sets, and lifts off in one piece. As a rule of thumb, clay suits shiny, oily days and jelly suits skin that feels tight, tired or hot. Plenty of people use both, on different days.

A note on where we stand: we make jelly masks, not clay ones. These are different tools for different jobs, and we've tried to be fair to both.

Side by side

What clay does

Clays such as kaolin and bentonite take up oil, which is why skin feels matte afterwards. A 2023 study of a clay mask used twice a week for four weeks reported surface oil down by about 30 per cent by the end, and by more straight after the first use. Two things to keep in mind: the study was paid for by the mask's maker and had no comparison group, and that mask contained more than clay, so we can't say the clay did all of it. It still fits what most people notice, which is less shine for a while afterwards.

The common complaint is the opposite problem. Leave clay until it cracks, or use it on skin that's already dry, and your face can feel tight. If that's you, shorten the time or save clay for oilier parts of your face.

What jelly does

A jelly mask doesn't take up oil in the same way. It's a thick, wet layer that sits against your skin and holds water there as it sets. What most people notice is the cool feel, and skin that feels softer once it's off. That's short term, and how it sets explains why it comes away whole rather than washing off.

There's no equivalent study for our masks, so we won't quote percentages. What you notice will be how it feels.

Which one for which day

• Shiny T-zone or a humid week: clay.
• Heat pump, wind, long-haul flight, tight skin: jelly. Hyaluronic Acid is written for this. There's more in dry skin in a New Zealand winter.
• Tired and flat-looking: either, on how your skin feels. Here's how to match a formula to your skin.
• Combination skin: clay on your T-zone one day, and a jelly mask on another.

Can you use both in one week?

Yes. Leave a day or two between them, and notice how your skin responds before you add more. Don't apply one straight after the other. If your clay mask contains an exfoliating acid, such as salicylic or glycolic acid, it counts as one of the products to keep off the same day as an Omorfia mask.

What about cost and effort?

Clay is usually squeezed from a tube and rinsed off, so it's less fuss. A jelly mask takes a bowl, a spoon and about 25 minutes from start to finish. Our 250 g jar works out at about $6.75 a mask ($54 for about 8). Prices for clay masks vary too widely for a fair comparison, so work out the cost per use for whichever you're looking at.

Questions

Which is better for oily skin, clay or peel-off?

Clay is built for taking up surface oil, so it's the classic choice. A jelly mask can feel fresh on oily skin without leaving anything heavy, but it isn't designed to reduce oil.

Are clay masks drying?

They can be if they dry out on your skin, or if your skin is already dry. Rinse them off before they crack, and follow with a moisturiser if your skin feels tight.

Can I use a clay mask and a jelly mask on the same day?

It's better to keep them to separate days. If the clay mask contains an exfoliating acid, don't use it on the same day as an Omorfia mask.

This is general information, not medical advice. If you're worried about your skin, see your GP or a skin specialist.

Sources

1. Comprehensive assessment of the efficacy and safety of a clay mask in oily and acne skin, Zhang and colleagues, Skin Research and Technology, 2023