Dr. Brandt Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner Pore Purifying Mask for oily acne-prone skin

Average
- SuperiorOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily acne-prone skin; other cleansing masks fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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 oily skin, with salicylic acid and glycolic acid aiding in pore refinement and seboregulation, though not specifically targeting your acne concerns.
- The inclusion of silica provides excellent pore cleansing, complementing the exfoliating acids for overall skin clarity.
- The formula is safe for your skin, as it lacks harsh ingredients and is free from irritants.
How to apply
- Use your cleansing mask PM as part of your weekly routine. Start 1×/week and increase carefully if your oily skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this step after your enzyme powder and before your hydrating toner. Follow the standard weekly order to keep your skin balanced.
- Spread an even layer of the cleansing mask across your face while avoiding the eye area. Let it sit for the recommended time without rubbing .
- Apply the mask on clean and dry skin for the best purifying effect on your breakouts. Clean skin allows the formula to target blemishes directly.
- Always do a patch test before your first use to check for sensitivity. Avoid combining this mask with strong acids or retinoids in the same routine .
People Say
★4.4Overall rating based on 4.4k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this mask is highly effective for oily and combination skin, deeply cleaning pores and leaving skin feeling smooth and matte. Many users appreciate the cooling sensation and temporary tightening effect. However, a significant number of users find the medicinal scent to be overpowering and note that the formula can be drying if used too frequently.
Highlights
Cleans pores Often Mentioned
- “sucks out oil”
- “pores looked clean”
- “deeply clean”
- “clears congestion”
Smooths skin Often Mentioned
- “skin feels very smooth”
- “softness of your skin”
- “smoother, more radiant”
- “baby soft”
Strong smell Often Mentioned
- “smells very strong”
- “medicinal scent”
- “strong mint/menthol”
- “smell is not good”
Cooling sensation Sometimes Noted
- “cooling sensation”
- “felt so refreshing”
- “nice tingle”
- “cool and refreshing”
Reduces oil Sometimes Noted
- “less oil and shine”
- “absorb excess oil”
- “matte finish”
- “less greasy”
Drying or tight Sometimes Noted
- “skin feels tight”
- “lifeless and dry”
- “very drying”
- “stripped moisture”
Expensive price Sometimes Noted
- “little on the pricey side”
- “expensive for the amount”
- “not worth $42”
- “pricey”
No visible results Rarely Noted
- “didn't see any change”
- “pores still full”
- “didn't prevent blackheads”
- “no difference”
Sources: lovi.care, ipsy.com, dermstore.com, lovelyskin.com, influenster.com, refinery29.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Dr. Brandt Vacuum Cleaner Mask work for oily acne-prone skin?
This mask works moderately well for your oily skin, offering gentle exfoliation and pore cleansing with salicylic acid and glycolic acid, but it does not specifically target your acne concerns. To better care for oily and acne-prone skin, a product of this type needs ingredients like salicylic acid and niacinamide or zinc oxide that directly clear blemishes and control excess oil without causing irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, 2025
Which ingredients make this mask a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, silica, and oleanolic acid help refine pores and clear oil, though this mask needs ingredients that directly tackle acne breakouts to truly fit oily acne-prone skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, 2025
What does Glycolic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?
Glycolic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing pimples and soothing breakouts. It exfoliates the surface to keep pores clear and leaves the skin feeling smooth.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Dermatologic Surgery, 2014
What does Salicylic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?
Salicylic acid helps clear breakouts and keeps oily skin balanced by reducing oil levels and calming inflammation. It is well suited for oily, acne-prone skin because it targets pimples while helping keep the skin hydrated and protected.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Experimental Dermatology, 2019
Where does this mask go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleansing mask fits into a weekly skincare routine, where it is used after your cleanser and enzyme powder, and before a hydrating toner and moisturizer. An oily acne-prone skin type needs a product of this type that also targets blemishes and breakouts directly with ingredients like salicylic acid.
Can I use this mask with retinol, and in what order?
It is best to avoid using this exfoliating mask on the same nights you apply retinol to prevent excessive dryness and irritation on your oily skin. Instead, alternate them on different nights or use the mask on a weekly basis as part of your routine while keeping your retinol for other evenings.
How often should I use this mask?
You can use this mask once a week as part of your routine. If your skin tolerates the exfoliating acids well and you see good results, you may carefully use it more often.
Can this mask clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This mask is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your oily skin, as it contains salicylic acid and glycolic acid to help clear out pores, along with silica for deep cleansing. A product for this skin needs oil-controlling ingredients and exfoliating acids to keep pores clear and prevent breakouts.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, 2025
Is this mask fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It contains fragrance (benzyl alcohol) and drying alcohol (alcohol denat).
What the research says
Polymeric micelles of oleanolic acid applied around the eyes of 23 female subjects for 8 weeks significantly improved all five optical profilometry skin parameters and visual evaluation scores without causing skin irritation.
Nanoscale Research Letters, 2020Twice 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, 2024Etoricoxib-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles laden gel demonstrated significantly higher sustained release, enhanced anti-inflammatory effect with reduced IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels, and no skin toxicity compared to pure etoricoxib gel.
Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, 2025Repeated 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, 2017Cryotherapy 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, 2010A 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, 2020Treatment 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, 2024Polysaccharide-based O/W emulsions incorporated with lavender essential oil applied to cellulosic support are non-irritating, provide softness and moisturizing effects, and are safe for topical patch applications.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2021Gellan gum hydrogel films co-encapsulating ofloxacin with tea tree or lavender oil achieved 98% wound contraction and completely healed epidermis in rats after ten days of treatment compared to baseline.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2021Topical application of lavender oil significantly promoted wound contraction, collagen synthesis, and fibroblast differentiation with up-regulation of TGF-beta in a rat model compared to control.
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2016Oleanolic acid inhibits PM10-induced CYP1A1 expression, reduces inflammatory cytokines, prevents matrix metalloproteinase 1 release, and recovers AhR-mediated autophagy disruption in keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts.
Biomolecules & Therapeutics, 2021Oleanolic acid nanofibers (OAnf) improved water solubility and skin penetration, displaying superior antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-skin aging activities in particulate matter-treated keratinocytes compared to oleanolic acid.
Antioxidants, 2021Topical ursolic acid and oleanolic acid increased the epidermal permeability barrier recovery rate by more than 20%, improved hydration, stimulated lamellar body secretion, and induced epidermal keratinocyte differentiation via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha in hairless mice compared to a vehicle-treated group.
The Journal of Dermatology, 2007Treatment with a rose extract activated newly identified skin olfactory receptors and prevented epinephrine-induced skin stress responses in epidermal keratinocytes and human skin explants, while clinically decreasing the appearance of under-eye dark circles in stressed women.
Molecules, 2020Rose petal extract improves stratum corneum moisture levels in humans by upregulating HAS2 expression via the GLK-MAP2K-MAPK signaling pathway.
BioFactors, 2023Rosa gallica petal extract (RPE) exerts skin whitening by attenuating tyrosinase activity and melanin accumulation and exhibits anti-wrinkle activity by suppressing MMP-1 levels in human cells.
Journal of Medicinal Food, 2020
Why other cleansing masks fit oily acne-prone skin better
Biomimetic hyaluronic acid-stabilized zinc oxide nanoparticles selectively inhibited C. acnes, outperformed erythromycin in preclinical acne models, and safely reduced acne lesions and redness in a clinical trial.
Journal of Controlled Release, 2025A 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, 2025An anti-acne hydrogel containing Aloe barbadensis, Garcinia mangostana, and Camellia sinensis extracts showed superior antiacne and antiblotch activities compared to 1% clindamycin gel in sixty subjects with mild-moderate acne.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
Ingredients
Water, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Mannitol, Alcohol Denat, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil Lavender Oil, Glycolic Acid, Menthone Glycerin Acetal, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Edta, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Oleanolic Acid, Acrylates Copolymer, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Rosa Multiflora Fruit Extract Rose Fruit Extract, Ultramarines, Ci 77891 Titanium Dioxide, Ci 77120 Barium Sulfate
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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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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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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