Sulwhasoo Herbal Clay Purifying Mask for combination skin
Kaolin
Bentonite
Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Honey
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root ExtractAverage
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for combination skin; other cleansing masks fit it better.
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 pore cleansing for your combination skin, as kaolin and sea silt effectively absorb excess oil and impurities, though ingredients like glycerin provide general hydration rather than targeting oily shine specifically.
- Bentonite further aids in seboregulation, making it suitable for combination skin, while the absence of harsh components ensures a low risk of irritation.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no indications of irritation for combination skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
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
★4.5Overall 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
How well does the Herbal Clay Purifying Mask work for combination skin?
This cleansing mask works reasonably well for combination skin by offering moderate pore cleansing and absorbing excess oil, though other products fit this skin type better. A product of this type needs effective exfoliating properties and a balanced mix of exfoliating acids and hydrating extracts to better manage oily shine and maintain a healthy complexion.
Which ingredients make this mask a good fit for combination skin?
Kaolin, bentonite, and sea silt help absorb excess oil and impurities from combination skin, while glycerin adds general hydration. A product of this type needs exfoliating acids and hydrating extracts that effectively target oily shine and refine pores while keeping the skin balanced and safe from irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2018International Journal of Dermatology, 2021
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.
What does Bentonite Clay do for combination skin?
Bentonite clay helps improve acne-related concerns, reduces excess oil, and supports evenness and hydration in combination skin when used regularly. It is unlikely to cause irritation while helping to balance oil and moisture levels.
Where does this mask go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This cleansing mask goes into the weekly routine after the enzyme powder and before the hydrating toner. It helps clear away oil and impurities while keeping your skin calm, though combination skin also needs targeted oil control and balanced hydration.
Can I use this mask with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this mask in your weekly routine, but keep it on a separate night from your retinol to avoid dryness. On your mask day, use it after cleansing and before your toner, and leave retinol for nights when you skip the mask.
How often should I use this mask?
You can use this cleansing mask once a week as part of your weekly routine, as this frequency provides moderate pore cleansing while keeping irritation risk low.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2018
Can this mask clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This mask is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for combination skin, as it contains kaolin and bentonite to absorb excess oil and impurities with a very low risk of irritation. However, because it offers only moderate pore cleansing and general hydration rather than targeting oily shine specifically, combination skin typically needs clay masks with stronger oil-balancing ingredients and deep-cleansing properties.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2018
Is this mask fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Long-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, 2015Licochalcone 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, 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, 2025
Why other cleansing masks fit combination skin better
Chemical 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, 2022A botanical face cleanser with hops and willow bark extract continuously reduced skin sebum levels without reactive seborrhea after treatment in 21 healthy volunteers compared to a sodium laureth sulfate cleanser, with neither cleanser causing skin irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Daily treatment with a facial serum containing multiple acids reduced post-inflammatory hyperchromia lesion grade and number by 29.4% at 56 days, and decreased skin oiliness by 30.7% at 7 days in Brazilian patients with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
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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