Papa Recipe Eggplant Clearing Mud Cream Mask for skin with dark spots
Solanum Melongena Extract
Kaolin
Centella Asiatica Extract
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E
Average
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for skin with dark spots; other cleansing masks fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dark spots: hyperpigmentation, sun spots, and uneven skin tone. 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
- Suitable for normal skin, this mask utilizes kaolin and bentonite to effectively cleanse pores by absorbing excess sebum and impurities, aligning with your skin type's needs.
- While Centella Asiatica Extract and Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract offer beneficial anti-inflammatory and barrier-repairing properties for normal skin, they do not directly address your primary concern of pigmentation.
- The product is safe for your normal skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients that would cause irritation.
How to apply
- Use this cleansing mask once a week to start, and increase frequency only if your skin feels fine.
- Apply the cleansing mask in your weekly routine after the cleanser and enzyme powder, but before the hydrating toner.
- Spread an even layer over your face while carefully avoiding the delicate eye area.
- Apply the cleansing mask to clean and dry skin for the best and most comfortable results.
- Always do a patch test before your first use and avoid combining it with strong acids.
People Say
★4.2Overall rating based on 3.8k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this creamy, non-drying clay mask is highly regarded for its ability to clear sebum and gently exfoliate. Users with sensitive and dry skin frequently note that it remains soft, brightens, smooths, and hydrates the complexion without causing tightness. Some users mention concerns about the walnut shell powder and occasional residue, though these are infrequent.
Highlights
Non-drying texture Mostly Mentioned
- “Creamy, stays moist, doesn't crack.”
Easy removal Often Mentioned
- “Rinses clean, no scrubbing, melts off.”
Gentle exfoliation Often Mentioned
- “Smooths texture, soft walnut scrub, not harsh.”
Pore clearing Sometimes Noted
- “Removes sebum, clears blackheads, clean feeling.”
Soothing effect Sometimes Noted
- “Calms redness, good for sensitive skin, no irritation.”
Effectiveness Rarely Noted
- “No visible change, didn't clear acne, average results.”
Price Rarely Noted
- “A bit expensive, steep price point, wait for sale.”
Residue/Film Rarely Noted
- “Greasy feeling, purple tint left, requires thorough rinsing.”
Scent Rarely Noted
- “Unpleasant smell, weird fragrance, not unscented.”
Walnut shell powder Rarely Noted
- “Fear of micro-tears, abrasive for some, physical scrub dislike.”
Sources: lovi.care, oliveyoung.com, yesstyle.com, youtube.com, hwahae.co.kr, makeup.uk, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Papa Recipe Eggplant Clearing Mud Cream Mask work for skin with dark spots?
This mask works only moderately for dark spots because, while it safely cleanses pores, its soothing plant extracts do not directly target skin discoloration. A cleansing mask for dark spots needs brightening ingredients like niacinamide or licorice root, along with gentle exfoliating acids.
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for skin with dark spots?
This mask works for skin with dark spots because it contains soothing and calming plant extracts, but a product of this type needs effective brightening ingredients like niacinamide and licorice root extract, along with gentle exfoliants, to truly address dark spots.
What does Eggplant Extract do for skin with dark spots?
Eggplant Extract helps target dark spots by providing natural compounds that slow down pigment production in the skin. This type of extract is often included in dark spot routines to help even out skin tone, though results vary depending on consistent use.
What does Kaolin Clay do for skin with dark spots?
Kaolin clay helps gently absorb excess oil and clear out pores without drying out the skin, which makes it a useful step for managing skin with dark spots. By lifting away impurities, it helps brighten the overall look of the face and allows other targeted treatments to absorb better. To truly fade dark spots and even out skin tone, products of this type need to be paired with brightening ingredients like vitamin C or exfoliating acids.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for skin with dark spots?
This cleansing mask works for skin with dark spots, though other products fit it better because its ingredients do not directly target dark spots, so this skin needs brightening ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide. It is safe to use in a weekly routine, where a cleansing mask fits before treatment and moisturizer.
Can I use this cream with salicylic acid, and in what order?
You can use this mask in the same routine as salicylic acid, but apply salicylic acid first as a treatment and follow with this mask as a weekly cleansing step. Because this mask is an average fit for skin with dark spots, this skin type needs ingredients that target pigmentation like vitamin C, niacinamide, or alpha arbutin.
How often should I use it?
You can use this mask once a week as part of your weekly routine. This cleansing mask is unlikely to irritate normal skin, but it needs brightening ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide to help with dark spots.
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for skin with dark spots?
This mask is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on your skin, as it contains safe ingredients and uses clays to clear away excess oil and impurities without harsh irritation. Products for skin with dark spots also need brightening ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide to help fade spots and even out your skin tone.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Behenyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, and arachidyl alcohol are fatty alcohols, which soften the skin.
What the research says
Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.
Molecules, 2023Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021Quaternized 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, 2017Lupeol isolated from Solanum melongena L. strongly suppressed lipogenesis and reduced inflammation by modulating the IGF-1R/PI3K/Akt/SREBP-1 and NF-kappaB pathways in vitro and attenuated acne pathogenic features in human patients.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 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, 2012Topical application of 0.05% w/w ECa 233 gel reduced erythema index by 0.03 U and improved early crusting and general wound appearance compared to placebo in thirty individuals undergoing facial laser resurfacing.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2020A 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, 2017Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Quercetin phospholipids 1% cream significantly reduced UV-, histamine-, and chemical-induced skin erythema (-10.05%) and mean wheal diameter in 30 healthy human volunteers, showing comparable efficacy to 1% dexchlorpheniramine cream.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2016Quercetin-loaded niosomes formulated with Span60-RH40 at a 9:11 mass ratio improved quercetin solubility, photostability, sustained release, and transdermal penetration, yielding a skin retention 2.95 times higher than quercetin solution.
Molecules, 2019Optimized rutin-loaded glycerosomes formulated into a nanosunscreen gel demonstrated sustained drug release, greater skin permeation, good antioxidant activity, and better epidermal retention compared to the dermis, indicating high safety, stability, and sun protection factor values for topical administration.
Gels, 2023Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024A topical antioxidant serum significantly reduced air pollution-induced skin pigmentation and proinflammatory gene expression ex vivo, and improved skin aging signs in 40 healthy adult females after 90 days of daily use.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
Why other cleansing masks fit skin with dark spots better
Niacinamide significantly decreased hyperpigmentation and increased skin lightness compared with vehicle alone after 4 weeks of use in women by inhibiting melanosome transfer.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
Ingredients
1,2-Hexanediol, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Glucose, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Disodium Edta, Dipropylene Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Arachidyl Alcohol, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Betula Alba Juice, Xanthan Gum, Water, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Kaolin, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Propanediol, Bentonite, Iron Oxides, Hydroxycinnamic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E, Allantoin, Ultramarines, Rutin, Titanium Dioxide
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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