Sulwhasoo Herbal Clay Purifying Mask for oily skin
Kaolin
Bentonite
Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Honey
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root ExtractAverage
- SuperiorOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other cleansing masks fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 suitability for your oily skin as kaolin and sea silt effectively absorb excess oil and decongest pores, addressing your oily shine. Bentonite further aids in seboregulation, providing a balanced finish.
- The formula provides general hydration and cleansing benefits that are supportive for oily skin.
- The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this cleansing mask PM as part of your weekly routine, starting 1×/week and working up if tolerated.
- Apply this cleansing mask after your cleanser and enzyme powder, and before applying your hydrating toner.
- Smooth an even layer over your face using clean fingers, avoiding harsh rubbing.
- Apply this cleansing mask on clean, dry skin to help control excess oil effectively.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and always do a patch test before your 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 Sulwhasoo Herbal Clay Purifying Mask work for oily skin?
This cleansing mask works reasonably well for oily skin because kaolin, sea silt, and bentonite absorb excess shine and help clear pores. It is safe and unlikely to cause irritation, though oily skin often responds better to purifying formulas that include salicylic acid, BHA, or zinc oxide to thoroughly refine pores and manage excess oil.
Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 2015Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
Which ingredients make this mask a good fit for oily skin?
Kaolin, bentonite, and sea silt make this mask a good fit for oily skin because they absorb excess oil, clear out pores, and help balance your shine. To work best for oily skin, this type of product needs clarifying ingredients like salicylic acid, BHA, or zinc oxide that target oiliness and refine pores without causing irritation.
Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 2015Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
What does Kaolin Clay do for oily skin?
Kaolin Clay helps oily skin by soaking up extra oil and clearing the skin while keeping it calm and comfortable. Using it twice a week can improve acne, skin evenness, and hydration while reducing dryness and irritation.
What does Bentonite Clay do for oily skin?
Bentonite clay helps absorb excess oil and improves acne-related outcomes when used twice weekly. It also supports skin evenness and hydration while keeping irritation low.
Where does this mask go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This cleansing mask fits into a weekly routine as a special step after cleansing and an enzyme powder, and before a hydrating toner and moisturizer. To better manage oily shine, an oily skin type needs a mask with clays or muds like kaolin, bentonite, or sea silt that absorb excess oil and clear out pores.
Can I use this mask with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this mask in your routine, but use it on a different night than your retinol to keep your skin calm. Clay masks clear out pores and absorb oil well, but oily skin also needs gentle hydrating ingredients and exfoliants like enzyme powders to keep pores clear without drying out.
How often should I use this mask?
You can use this cleansing mask once a week as part of your weekly routine. Clay masks like this help absorb excess oil and clear pores, though oily skin often needs extra oil-balancing and pore-clearing ingredients to get the best results.
Can this mask clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This mask is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin, as it contains kaolin and sea silt to absorb excess oil and decongest pores. To properly care for oily skin, a product of this type needs ingredients like bentonite and clay to balance oil and keep pores clear.
Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 2015Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
Is this mask fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A 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, 2025Quaternized 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, 2017Long-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, 2021Topical 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, 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, 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, 2012A 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 novel electrospun chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol/montmorillonite clay scaffold proved to be a suitable material for cell proliferation and demonstrated strong antimicrobial and scavenging efficacy for wound healing applications.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024Artemisia 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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