Indie Lee Clearing Mask for acne-prone skin
Salicylic Acid
Glycolic Acid
Bentonite Clay
Colloidal Sulfur
Zinc OxideAverage
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for acne-prone skin; other cleansing masks fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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 exfoliation for your combination skin, as salicylic acid and glycolic acid work to decongest pores and reduce blemishes. Colloidal sulfur further aids in seboregulation, helping to manage oiliness without causing dryness.
- Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract provides a soothing effect, which is beneficial for your acne-prone skin, while sodium hyaluronate offers hydration.
- The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.
How to apply
- Use this cleansing mask during your PM weekly routine. Start 1x/week and increase if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this cleansing mask after using your pre-cleanser and cleanser , and before your hydrating toner.
- Spread an even layer of the cleansing mask over your face , avoiding any rubbing to protect your skin.
- Apply the cleansing mask to clean and dry skin to help clear up your blemishes effectively.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 200+ reviewsUsers with oily, acne-prone, and congested skin frequently praise this mask for its ability to rapidly calm breakouts and unclog pores without stripping the skin of moisture. While most find it effectively smooths texture and reduces redness, a minority of users find the medicinal scent overpowering or the price point too high for the small jar size.
Highlights
Clears acne Mostly Mentioned
- “zaps zits overnight”
- “great for hormonal breakouts”
- “cleared my skin fast”
- “stops pimples coming”
Decongests pores Often Mentioned
- “de-clogs pores”
- “draws out impurities”
- “pores look smaller”
- “skin feels detoxed”
Non-drying formula Often Mentioned
- “doesn't dry me out”
- “creamy texture”
- “hydrating for clay”
- “no cracking feeling”
Smooths texture Sometimes Noted
- “skin feels baby soft”
- “smooths texture”
- “face feels polished”
- “reduces roughness”
Expensive for size Sometimes Noted
- “tiny jar for price”
- “expensive”
- “wish it was bigger”
- “pricey per ounce”
Medicinal scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells like sulfur”
- “strong camphor scent”
- “medicinal smell”
- “scent is overpowering”
Can be drying Rarely Noted
- “left skin tight”
- “too drying”
- “caused dry patches”
- “irritated my skin”
Ineffective for some Rarely Noted
- “did nothing”
- “no difference seen”
- “just average”
- “didn't help acne”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.sg, dermstore.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, bluemercury.com, aillea.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Indie Lee Clearing Mask work for acne-prone skin?
This mask works well enough for acne-prone skin, though other products fit it better. A product of this type needs effective ingredients like salicylic acid and zinc oxide that control oil and target breakouts while keeping skin calm and hydrated.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Which ingredients make this mask a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Salicylic acid, glycolic acid, colloidal sulfur, and zinc oxide make this mask a good fit because they help clear pores, manage oil, and calm breakouts. A product of this type needs effective ingredients that target acne and blemishes while keeping the skin calm, balanced, and safe from irritation.
BioMed Research International, 2020Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
What does Salicylic Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Salicylic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing pimples and calming redness without causing many side effects. It works by dipping deep into pores to clear out blockages and control oil, making it a reliable choice for keeping skin smooth and clear.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
What does Glycolic Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Glycolic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing pimples and breakouts. It also helps fade dark spots left behind by acne and controls skin oiliness, with very few side effects when used properly.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Dermatologic Surgery, 2014
Where does this mask go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This cleansing mask goes into a weekly routine for acne-prone skin, placed after cleansing and enzyme powder and before a hydrating toner, treatment, and moisturizer. Acne-prone skin needs a product of this type to include ingredients like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, bentonite clay, and colloidal sulfur to help clear pores, manage oiliness, and reduce blemishes without causing dryness.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025BioMed Research International, 2020
Can I use this mask with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this mask in your weekly routine, but it is best to avoid using it on the same nights you apply retinol to prevent excess irritation. Use the mask to help clear pores and manage oil, and save your retinol for other nights when your skin is recovering.
How often should I use this mask?
This cleansing mask is used once a week as part of your weekly routine. An acne-prone skin needs a product of this type to include clay and sulfur to manage oiliness, along with salicylic acid and glycolic acid to clear pores and reduce blemishes.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025BioMed Research International, 2020
Can this mask clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This mask is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts since salicylic acid and glycolic acid help clear out pores, while colloidal sulfur manages oiliness. However, an acne-prone skin type of this kind generally needs products with gentle exfoliants and calming ingredients to keep skin smooth and clear without causing dryness.
BioMed Research International, 2020Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
Is this mask fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (limonene). Cetyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.
BioMed Research International, 2020Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, gluconolactone, and licochalcone A combined with 0.1% adapalene showed no hindrance compared to adapalene monotherapy and provided benefits in reducing complications in 25 subjects with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Twice daily application of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream provided comparable efficacy to benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in reducing inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions in 150 Caucasian subjects with mild-to-moderate acne over 56 days, while demonstrating superior skin tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Hyaluronic acid extracts are safe and efficacious products for skin repair when used in tissue regeneration alone or in combination with herbal or Western medicine.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015A bentonite-based facial mask with Alcea sulphurea extract combined with oral azithromycin significantly reduced total lesion count and acne severity index while enhancing patient satisfaction in patients with moderate acne compared to placebo plus azithromycin over 8 weeks.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen achieved a higher cure rate (39%) than salicylic acid (24%) and a wait-and-see approach (16%) for cutaneous warts at 13 weeks in primary care patients.
CMAJ, 2010Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Topical 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid achieved the greatest lesion reduction at early 2 to 4 week time points compared to benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin, while 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin showed similar efficacy at 10 to 12 weeks in acne patients.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2010Repeated short-contact 70% glycolic acid peels provided superior results in atrophic acne scars compared to daily low-strength glycolic acid cream or placebo in 58 women over 24 weeks.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2000Serial glycolic acid peels combined with a modified Kligman formula significantly reduced facial PIH severity in Indian patients compared to the modified Kligman formula alone.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2017Vectorization 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, 2024Quaternized 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, 2017Twice-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, 2023Azelaic 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, 1966Topical 0.5% hyaluronic-ZnO nanogel applied twice daily reduced inflammatory-lesion counts by 58% at week four in human subjects compared to baseline without causing erythema.
Biomedicines, 2025Nels cream achieved a similar reduction in inflammatory and noninflammatory lesion counts compared to 5% benzoyl peroxide in acne vulgaris patients, but caused significantly fewer side-effects such as peeling and dryness.
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 2000Topically applied coated and uncoated zinc oxide nanoparticles under flexing and massage are retained in the stratum corneum with no significant penetration into the viable epidermis and no cellular toxicity in human skin.
Nanomedicine, 2016
Ingredients
Water, Bentonite, Zinc Oxide, Colloidal Sulfur, Propanediol, Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Camphor, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Titanium Dioxide, Limonene, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate
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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