Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask for combination skin
Active Charcoal
Kaolin
Bentonite
Glycerin
Myrtus Communis Leaf Water
Low
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
A weak match for combination skin; the cleansing masks alongside fit it better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2023
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 and oil absorption for your combination skin, as charcoal powder and kaolin draw out impurities and manage excess sebum. Glycerin and Myrtus Communis Leaf Water provide some hydration and soothing effects, which are supportive but not directly targeted at your oily shine concern.
- The formula is safe for your combination skin, with Myrtus Communis Leaf Water acting as a soothing agent and the absence of harsh ingredients minimizing irritation risk.
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 6.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this mask is widely praised by users with oily and acne-prone skin for its ability to deep clean pores and reduce the appearance of blackheads. Many users report smoother, brighter, and less oily skin after use. Those with dry or sensitive skin often find it too drying or irritating.
Highlights
Smooths skin Often Mentioned
- “skin felt a lot smoother”
- “left feeling plump, soft and very clean”
- “smooth and flawless”
- “soft to the touch”
Unclogs pores Often Mentioned
- “pores cleaned up very well”
- “blackheads sitting right at skin level”
- “draws out deep-dwelling pore-cloggers”
- “stubborn blackheads on nose disappeared”
Difficult to remove Often Mentioned
- “rinsing off is super messy”
- “hard to wash off”
- “takes ages to come off”
- “water will turn grey and get everywhere”
Brightens complexion Sometimes Noted
- “skin looked brighter”
- “face had a very nice glow”
- “refreshed and bright”
- “skin looks cloudy... clears the way”
Reduces oil Sometimes Noted
- “reduction in oil”
- “mattified my skin”
- “absorb excess oil”
- “keeps oil at bay”
Drying and tight Sometimes Noted
- “feels really, really tight”
- “dried out my skin”
- “skin felt very tight”
- “left feeling tight and dry”
Caused irritation Rarely Noted
- “slightly burning sensation”
- “face freak out”
- “uncomfortable sensation”
- “redness in certain parts”
No visible results Rarely Noted
- “hasn't really helped”
- “didn't notice a difference”
- “not a one-step wonder”
- “pores looked the same”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, origins.com, sephora.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why is Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask a weak match for combination skin?
This mask is a weak match for your combination skin because it only offers moderate pore cleansing and oil absorption while lacking stronger ingredients like salicylic acid or zinc oxide for better oil control. Combination skin of this type needs products with purifying and hydrating ingredients, such as salicylic acid, niacinamide, and glycerin, to balance oily and dry areas effectively without causing irritation.
Which ingredients make this mask a poor fit for combination skin?
This mask is a weak match because it relies on active charcoal, kaolin, and bentonite, which offer only moderate oil absorption and may lack the potent oil control and balanced hydration that combination skin needs.
What does Activated Charcoal do for combination skin?
Activated Charcoal helps draw out excess oil and impurities while keeping dry areas balanced, making it a good match for combination skin. This type of product needs gentle cleansing ingredients that clear pores without stripping away natural moisture.
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.
Where does this mask go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This cleansing mask is used once a week as part of a weekly evening routine, applied after a cleanser and enzyme powder, and followed by a hydrating toner, treatment, and moisturizer. Combination skin needs products with charcoal powder and kaolin for pore cleansing and oil absorption, alongside glycerin and myrtus communis leaf water for balanced hydration and soothing.
Can I use this mask with salicylic acid, and in what order?
You can use this mask in the same routine as salicylic acid, but apply the mask first and follow with your salicylic acid treatment after cleansing. Because this mask is a weak match for your combination skin, this skin type needs a product that balances deep pore cleansing with targeted oil control and steady hydration to prevent dryness. This product is unlikely to cause irritation, but using multiple strong treatments may dry out your skin.
How often should I use this mask?
This cleansing mask is suitable for weekly use in your routine to help manage excess oil and impurities on your combination skin. A product of this type needs powerful oil-absorbing clays and charcoal combined with hydrating and soothing ingredients to properly balance your shine without causing dryness.
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 its clays and charcoal draw out impurities while its soothing ingredients minimize irritation. However, because it can feel drying and tight for some, a product of this type for combination skin needs balanced oil control alongside richer hydrating ingredients to keep your skin smooth and comfortable.
Is this mask fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A 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, 2017Topical application of a dermocosmetic containing Myrtus communis extract and azelaic acid reduced acne relapses and helped maintain remission compared to a light moisturizing cream in adult females in the acne maintenance phase over 16 weeks.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2023Soap-and-water wash and superactive charcoal paste applied topically at various times after T-2 toxin exposure effectively reduced skin lesion severity in swine compared to untreated controls.
Fundamental and Applied Toxicology, 1989Vectorization 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, 2025The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012Topical treatments including podophyllotoxin, sodium nitrite, myrtle leaf extract, phenol, salicylic acid with lactic acid, SB206, and VP-102 were more efficacious than control in patients with molluscum contagiosum, whereas cantharidin, potassium hydroxide, and imiquimod showed varying degrees of efficacy.
Clinics in Dermatology, 2021Topical Myrtle solution significantly reduced inflammatory lesions and acne severity index compared to 1% clindamycin solution in patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris.
Journal of Pharmacopuncture, 2020Twice daily application of a dermocosmetic product containing Myrtus communis and Celastrol-enriched plant cell culture extracts decreased pro-pathogen C. acnes phylotype IC, increased nonpathogen phylotype IB, and improved clinical acne parameters in patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris after 56 days compared to baseline.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2023
Ingredients
Water, Myrtus Communis Leaf Water, Kaolin, Bentonite, Butylene Glycol, Montmorillonite, Polysorbate 20, Peg-100 Stearate, Charcoal Powder, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Peg-150 Distearate, Propylene Glycol Stearate, Sorbitan Laurate, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol Laurate, Simethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Trisodium Edta, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phenoxyethanol
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
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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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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