Sulwhasoo Herbal Clay Purifying Mask for sensitive skin
Kaolin
Bentonite
Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Honey
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root ExtractHigh
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for sensitive skin; a few cleansing masks fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. 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
- Highly suitable for your normal skin, the kaolin and sea silt effectively absorb impurities and decongest deep pores, while Artemisia Princeps Leaf Powder and Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract calm inflammation to address your redness and irritation.
- The inclusion of bentonite further aids in mild exfoliation and sebum absorption, balancing your skin without stripping it.
- The formulation is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this cleansing mask once a week as part of your weekly routine, starting slowly to see how your skin reacts.
- Apply this product after cleansing and enzyme powder, and before your hydrating toner and moisturizer.
- Smooth an even layer of the cleansing mask over your face, making sure to gently avoid rubbing.
- Put the mask on clean and dry skin to keep your sensitive face calm and comfortable.
- Do a patch test before your first use and avoid getting the mask too close to your eyes.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsBased on limited data, this mask is highly recommended for individuals with sensitive, dry, or stressed skin who need pore care without the harshness of traditional clay masks. Users consistently report a cooling, non-drying experience that leaves skin feeling soft, soothed, and visibly brighter, though it may be too gentle for those seeking aggressive blackhead extraction.
Highlights
Non-drying, hydrating Mostly Mentioned
- “gel-cream formula is super hydrating”
- “didn't experience any tight feelings”
- “doesn't dry down completely”
- “leaves face clean but not stripped”
Gentle, soothing Often Mentioned
- “cooling sensation on application”
- “calms redness and irritation”
- “no tugging or stinging”
- “gentlest clay mask I've used”
Softening results Often Mentioned
- “skin feels baby soft”
- “pores look tighter”
- “brightens complexion”
- “smooths skin texture”
Herbal scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells divine”
- “relaxing herbal smell”
- “fresh ginseng scent”
- “feels like a spa treatment”
Luxurious texture Sometimes Noted
- “slides onto skin quickly”
- “silky and smooth”
- “fine powders provide gentle exfoliation”
- “easy to rinse off”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “bit expensive for me”
- “waiting for a sale”
- “pricey for a clay mask”
- “luxury price point”
Mild pore extraction Sometimes Noted
- “whiteheads not fully removed”
- “didn't minimize pores much”
- “gentler than other clays”
- “not for deep extraction”
Availability issues Rarely Noted
- “bought the trial kit”
- “hard to find full size”
- “out of stock often”
- “had to order from Korea”
Scent preference Rarely Noted
- “herbal smell is strong”
- “scent is specific”
- “smells like traditional medicine”
- “might be too much for some”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com.au, reddit.com, thevelvetlife.com, femaledaily.com, yesstyle.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Sulwhasoo Herbal Clay Purifying Mask a great fit for sensitive skin?
This mask is a great fit for sensitive skin because kaolin and sea silt deeply clean pores while licorice root extract and mugwort calm redness and irritation. It also includes bentonite to gently absorb extra oil and balance your skin without feeling stripped, and the formula is safe and unlikely to cause irritation.
Which ingredients make this mask a good fit for sensitive skin?
This mask is a great fit for sensitive skin because kaolin and sea silt deeply clear out pores while soothing ingredients like Artemisia Princeps leaf powder and licorice root calm redness and irritation. It also includes bentonite to gently absorb excess oil and balance your skin without stripping away moisture.
What does Kaolin Clay do for sensitive skin?
Kaolin clay is a gentle mineral powder that helps absorb excess oil and impurities from the skin. However, because fine particles may cause irritation and stress in skin cells, it requires careful use on sensitive skin.
Genes and Environment, 2020International Journal of Toxicology, 2003
What does Bentonite Clay do for sensitive skin?
Bentonite clay is generally too harsh for sensitive skin and may cause dryness and irritation. A product of this type needs gentle, hydrating ingredients and calming agents to soothe sensitive skin without stripping its natural moisture.
Where does this mask go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This cleansing mask is a great fit for sensitive skin and goes into a weekly routine as a nourishing mask step, after the enzyme powder and before your treatment and moisturizer. Kaolin and sea silt absorb impurities while calming ingredients help reduce redness, and the formula is safe with no harsh ingredients.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2018
Can I use this mask with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this mask in your routine, but avoid using it on the same nights you apply retinol to prevent dryness and irritation. Use this cleansing mask on a separate day or week, making sure to follow up with a gentle moisturizer.
How often should I use this mask?
This cleansing mask is a great fit for sensitive skin and helps absorb impurities while calming redness and irritation. Because clay masks can be drying, using it once a week is a safe frequency to balance your skin without stripping it.
Can this mask clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
This mask is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for sensitive skin because it uses clays like kaolin and bentonite to clear impurities without harsh ingredients that irritate. It also includes soothing licorice root and artemisia leaf extracts that help calm redness.
Is this mask fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2015Long-term use of various types of Dead Sea mud on healthy skin over four weeks was well tolerated and did not compromise barrier integrity, showing no noticeable changes in TEWL, skin pH, melanin, and erythema levels, along with a slight firming effect from salted mud.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2021A 30-minute single application of three types of Dead Sea mud on healthy female adult volunteers was well tolerated with short-lived moisturizing effects and no negative impact on barrier integrity, pH, and erythema and melanin levels.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2018Topical application of Dead Sea mud containing traces of nickel and chrome presents no toxicological concern for systemic toxicity or skin sensitization in normal healthy individuals, but is not recommended for already sensitized persons.
Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 2015Vectorization 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, 2012Quaternized carboxymethyl chitosan/organic montmorillonite nanocomposite demonstrated superior moisture-adsorption and retention compared to hyaluronic acid, good UV-protection ability, negligible dermal irritation, and prominent moisture-retention efficacy on human stratum corneum when formulated into a cosmetic cream.
Carbohydrate Polymers, 2017A novel water-in-oil emulsion with a lecithin-modified bentonite prevented epidermal degradation and inflammatory protein secretion induced by urban dust and cedar pollen more effectively than a conventional water-in-oil emulsion in a reconstructed human epidermis model.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020Bentonite nanoparticles and honey co-administration improved skin wound healing in BALB/c mice by reducing inflammatory cell infiltration and increasing fibroblastosis, new epithelium thickness, granulation area, and collagen density compared to the untreated control group.
The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds, 2025Artemisia princeps-derived nanovesicles accelerate cell proliferation, decrease senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity, inhibit MMP-1 activity more effectively than EGCG, and increase procollagen type I expression in human dermal cells and skin models.
Journal of Extracellular Biology, 2025Artemisia annua aqueous extract increased the itching threshold, inhibited TSLP expression, and promoted FLG mRNA expression in in vitro and in vivo models.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2024Artemisia Capillaris Thunb. extract protects human HaCaT keratinocytes from UVB-induced apoptosis and inflammation by suppressing the cGAS/STING signaling pathway.
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology. B, Biology, 2024Honey-based dressings reduced mean healing duration, length of hospital stay, and VAS pain scores compared with povidone iodine-based dressings in 1236 participants.
Journal of Wound Care, 2021Topical honey application improved the mean duration of attacks and pain, occurrence of crusting, and healing time compared to acyclovir cream in 16 adult patients with recurrent labial and genital herpes lesions.
Medical Science Monitor, 2004Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.
Advanced Science, 2025Topical application of Glycyrrhiza glabra and Sophora japonica flavonoid-rich fractions individually and in combination significantly increased the wound healing rate and reduced oxidative stress compared to wound and Nolaver-treated groups.
Molecules, 2023
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Kaolin, Butylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide Ci 77891, Bentonite, 1,2-Hexanediol, Silica, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sea Silt, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Powder, Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum, Houttuynia Cordata Powder, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium Edta, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Propanediol, Gluconolactone, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract Raspberry Fruit Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Honey, Miel, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Angelica Keiskei Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Polygonatum Officinale Root Extract Rhizome, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Tocopherol
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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