ZO Skin Health Complexion Clearing Masque for combination skin
Sulfur
Kaolin
Bentonite
Glycerin
Caprylyl GlycolLow
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
A weak match for combination skin; the cleansing masks alongside fit it better.
- Journal of Evidence-based Medicine, 2020
- Revista de Investigacion Clinica; Organo Del Hospital de Enfermedades de la Nutricion, 2004
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 cleansing for your oily shine and combination skin, as sulfur and kaolin absorb excess oil and decongest pores, but these benefits are not enough for your present issues, posing major risks of worsening them.
- The presence of silica and talc offers mild seboregulation and absorption of excess oil, which is moderately suitable for your combination skin.
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
★4.9Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsBased on limited data, this product is highly effective for acne-prone and oily skin, with users frequently noting its ability to clear breakouts and act as a spot treatment. It is also praised for absorbing excess oil and pores without over-drying the skin. A moderate number of users mention a strong, lingering sulfur smell, and a low number report potential for dryness with overuse or issues with the scent lingering on towels.
Highlights
Clears acne breakouts Mostly Mentioned
- “There's always at least a 50% reduction in size and takes redness away!”
- “I swear a zit is nearly gone the next morning.”
- “My daughter's skin is 90% more clear.”
- “In the morning they are nearly dried out and done!”
Effective spot treatment Often Mentioned
- “I use this as a spot treatment.”
- “Most magical mask/spot treatment ever.”
- “Love this mask for makeup prep and spot treatment!”
- “I use it mostly as a spot treatment for pimples overnight.”
Doesn't over-dry Sometimes Noted
- “Leaves my skin feeling very clean without being super dry.”
- “Hydrates the skin to combat dryness.”
- “Leaves your complexion looking fresh and balanced.”
- “Without stripping the skin.”
Reduces oil/pores Sometimes Noted
- “Very affective to reduce oil and make my pore smaller.”
- “Absorbs excess oil that can lead to future breakouts.”
- “Helps unclog congested pores, reduce surface oil.”
- “Helps absorb oil and creates a thicker product consistency.”
Strong sulfur smell Sometimes Noted
- “I can't get over the sulfur smell it was AWFUL.”
- “Leaves an awful smell of rotten eggs/sulfur.”
- “Some mention mixed feelings about breakouts and the smell.”
- “I only used it once and plan to never use it again because of the smell.”
Lingers on towels Rarely Noted
- “Leaves an awful smell of rotten eggs/sulfur on your towels if wipe it off with that.”
- “So glad I rinsed it off in the shower and didn't use a towel.”
- “Awful smell of rotten eggs/sulfur on your towels.”
Potential for dryness Rarely Noted
- “It can dry the skin so I would not recommend it to be used too often.”
- “If you overuse it, it might dry your skin.”
- “If bothersome dryness or peeling occurs, reduce application.”
Sources: lovi.care, zoskinhealth.com, skinclique.com, myfacedr.com, antiagingvancouver.com, bskinenvie.ca, and more
Questions and answers
Why is ZO Complexion Clearing Masque a weak match for combination skin?
This mask absorbs excess oil and clears pores with sulfur and kaolin, but these benefits are not enough for your present issues and pose major risks of worsening them. To truly fit combination skin, a product of this type needs powerful oil-controlling and soothing ingredients like salicylic acid and zinc oxide alongside hydrating agents that balance both the oily and dry areas without irritation.
Which ingredients make this mask a poor fit for combination skin?
Sulfur and kaolin absorb excess oil and decongest pores, but these benefits are not enough for your present issues and pose major risks of worsening them. A cleansing mask for combination skin needs ingredients like salicylic acid and zinc oxide for oil control, alongside hydrating agents like glycerin to balance drier areas.
What does Sulfur do for combination skin?
Sulfur helps clear up breakouts and calms oily areas without irritating dry patches on combination skin. It works gently to keep skin looking clear and balanced.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2004Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1988
What does Kaolin Clay do for combination skin?
Kaolin clay helps absorb excess oil in oily areas while keeping dry patches comfortable and calm. This gentle mineral ingredient is unlikely to irritate sensitive combination skin.
Where does this mask go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This mask goes in the weekly evening routine after an enzyme powder and before a hydrating toner, used once a week to help absorb excess oil. Combination skin with specific issues needs a mask that balances oil and deeply decongests pores without posing major risks of worsening dryness or irritation.
Can I use this mask with retinol, and in what order?
How often should I use this mask?
This mask is best used once a week as part of a weekly routine for combination skin. While sulfur and kaolin absorb excess oil, this product is a weak match for your skin and poses major risks of worsening your present issues. Combination skin needs gentle clay or sulfur masks paired with soothing ingredients to balance oil without drying.
Can this mask clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This mask is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts because sulfur and kaolin help absorb excess oil and keep pores clear. However, it may cause dryness since it is a weak match for your combination skin, and a product of this type needs soothing ingredients like aloe and hydrating extras like hyaluronic acid to keep skin soft.
Is this mask fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (benzyl alcohol).
What the research says
Azelaic acid was probably less effective than benzoyl peroxide in acne treatment response, while showing little or no difference compared to tretinoin, and adverse events were mild and transient across evaluated topical treatments.
Journal of Evidence-based Medicine, 2020Topical application of precipitated sulphur 2-8% petrolatum achieved a 95% clinical and ectoparasitological cure rate in 40 ambulatory scabies patients without relevant adverse effects.
Revista de Investigacion Clinica; Organo Del Hospital de Enfermedades de la Nutricion, 2004Topical 10% benzoyl peroxide and 2%-5% sulfur cream achieved "good" to "excellent" results with no undesirable side effects in 113 consecutive patients with acne.
Canadian Medical Association Journal, 1966Vectorization 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, 2025A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001
Ingredients
Water, Bentonite, Benzyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Ethylene Brassylate, Glycerin, Kaolin, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol, Silica, Sulfur, Talc, Tetrasodium Edta, Ultramarines
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.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.