Fresh has long been the go to for sensorial formulas that marry apothecary tradition with modern skin science, and if you have somehow missed their rose scented lotions and sugar lip balms, consider this your nudge to pay attention.
Their latest multitasker arrives with a name that could double as a tongue twister: Umbrian Clay Pore Purifying Mask. According to Fresh it is a triple threat that acts as mask, face wash and pinpoint treatment while sweeping away the gunk that makes pores look like tiny storm drains. They promise balanced skin, fewer breakouts and zero tight after feel thanks to centuries old clay borrowed from the Umbrian hills plus soothing sandalwood, chamomile and lavender waters.
I spent the past two weeks rotating it through all three suggested uses to see whether those lofty claims hold water and, more importantly, whether it deserves a spot in your routine and your budget.
What is Umbrian Clay Pore-Purifying Face Mask?
This product sits in the wash-off mask family, meaning you spread it over clean skin, give the ingredients time to work, then rinse everything away. Wash-off masks are popular for delivering a shot of actives without the prolonged contact that can sometimes irritate sensitive complexions. You get the benefits of a concentrated formula yet the reassurance of removal after a short window, usually five to ten minutes.
Fresh positions this mask as a three-in-one: a weekly clarifying treatment, a daily cleanser substitute and a targeted dab-on spot remedy. At its core is Umbrian clay, a type of fullers earth historically used to draw excess oil and debris from the surface. The clay is blended with sandalwood oil and floral waters from chamomile and lavender, all included to temper potential redness and keep the skin feeling comfortable once the clay has done its oil-mopping job. In short, the aim is to unclog pores, reduce visible congestion and calm any irritation without leaving the face parched.
The brand recommends different dwell times depending on use. As a mask, you leave a thin layer until it dries to a soft matte finish before rinsing. As a face wash, you massage a small amount onto damp skin for a quick purge. For spots, you tap a pinhead dot directly on the blemish and let it sit. Whichever route you choose the promise is the same: clearer looking pores and a more balanced complexion.
Did it work?
In the name of very scientific testing I benched my usual clay mask for three full days before starting the trial, giving my pores a clean slate and me an excuse to feel like a lab technician. Fourteen days felt like a fair window to see real change so I slotted the mask into my evening routine every other night, used it as a lightning round cleanser on rushed mornings and dabbed it over any rogue spots the second they announced themselves.
First impressions were solid. Used as a traditional mask it set to a soft chalky finish in about seven minutes, lifted easily with warm water and left my cheeks smooth rather than squeaky. I noticed a subtle matte effect that lasted until midday which, for my combination skin, is a small victory. As a wash it gave that just buffed clarity without the tight forehead soundtrack some clay cleansers bring. The spot treatment claim was the least showy: whiteheads flattened a bit faster but angry cystic bumps shrugged and carried on sulking.
By day seven congestion along my nose looked lighter and the little black dots that love to photobomb close-up selfies were less obvious. Redness around my chin was calmer too, likely thanks to the lavender and chamomile water doing their thing behind the scenes. What I did not see was a dramatic reduction in the size of my pores or a big dent in hormonal breakouts around week two. Oil control plateaued as well; the initial matte magic faded back to my usual midday shine, meaning blotting papers still lived rent free in my bag.
Using it as a daily cleanser felt a bit extra and I eventually scaled that down to twice a week. Any more and my skin started to whisper about dryness, nothing severe but enough to remind me that clay is still clay. That said the formula never pushed me into flake territory and makeup continued to sit smoothly which is more than I can say for some heavyweight detox masks.
So did it deliver? Partially. It clarified, soothed minor redness and earned a respectable spot-shrinking badge, yet it stopped short of the transformative results its marketing hints at. I enjoyed the feel and the gentle scent but I will probably finish the tube then revert to cheaper clays that perform similarly. Still, if you have combination skin and crave a calm yet effective midweek decongesting ritual this is a pleasant option that gets many things right.
Umbrian clay pore purifying face mask’s main ingredients explained
Front and center is Umbrian clay, a type of fuller’s earth prized for its high mineral content and strong adsorptive pull. Think of it as a magnet that latches on to excess sebum and lingering grime so they rinse away before they can set up camp inside pores. Because clay particles stay on the surface they are considered non comedogenic, meaning they will not physically block follicles or trigger new breakouts.
Supporting players include a trio of humectants – glycerin, butylene glycol and pentylene glycol – that draw water into the upper layers of skin to keep the clarifying action from tipping into desert territory. These are low risk for clogging and also help the mask glide on smoothly. Cocamidopropyl betaine, a coconut derived surfactant, kicks in when you use the formula as a cleanser by helping oil-and-water mix for a cleaner rinse.
The emollient bracket is led by lightweight grape seed oil plus a small amount of sandalwood oil. Grape seed sits near the bottom of the comedogenic scale but anyone highly prone to congestion may want to patch test first. Sandalwood brings astringent and calming benefits yet its fragrance molecules can be sensitising for some reactive skins. Olive leaf extract adds a dose of antioxidant polyphenols to counter everyday environmental stress.
Soothing extras come in the form of lavender flower water and chamomile flower oil, both rich in compounds that can tone down visible redness. Essential oils are another grey area during pregnancy so the safest route is to run any product containing them past a healthcare professional before regular use.
Preservation is handled by phenoxyethanol, BHT and a polyacrylamide-based emulsifying system. They keep microbes out and texture stable though purists who avoid synthetic preservatives will want to note their presence. On the upside the formula is free from animal-derived components so it is suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
No single ingredient here jumps out as a heavy comedogenic risk and the overall blend skews gentle, yet clay plus essential oils can still be drying or sensitising if overused. If you are pregnant, dealing with very sensitive skin or under a dermatologist’s care, a quick check-in with your doctor before adding it to the roster is the wisest move.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is the quick rundown after two weeks of testing.
What works well:
- pulls excess oil and debris without the tight post rinse feel typical of many clay masks
- noticeably calms mild redness thanks to chamomile and lavender water
- versatile enough to act as mask, cleanser or spot treatment which can trim down routine clutter
What to consider:
- results plateau after a week or so which may leave oily skins looking for stronger oil control
- price sits at the higher end of the clay mask spectrum
- contains essential oils that may not suit very reactive or fragrance sensitive complexions
My final thoughts
After a solid fortnight of swapping in Fresh’s Umbrian Clay Pore Purifying Mask for my usual clarifiers I feel it earns a respectable 8/10. It is reliable at sweeping away mid-week congestion and steadying mild redness without tipping combination skin into a Sahara situation, yet it never quite crossed into must-have territory for me. If you are normal to combo, experience occasional flare-ups and value a formula that doubles as a gentle cleanser, you will likely enjoy the ritual and the results. Those with very oily zones or stubborn hormonal breakouts may find the oil control plateaus too soon while ultra-reactive skins might side-eye the essential oils. Would I nudge a friend toward it? Yes, with the caveat that they are paying for softness and versatility rather than dramatic pore shrinkage.
If clay masks already crowd your shelf and you want a different spin, a few tried-and-tested options spring to mind. Deascal’s Pink Clay Glow Mask is an excellent allrounder that exfoliates, detoxes, brightens and somehow leaves skin bouncy afterward at a wallet-friendly price. Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque pulls sebum with gusto yet rinses clean in seconds which makes it a favourite on rushed evenings. Caudalie’s Instant Detox Mask pairs pink clay with grape marc for a quick pick-me-up that tightens the look of pores before a night out. Finally Innisfree’s Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask delivers noticeably longer-lasting matte time, handy when summer humidity is relentless. I have rotated through each of these and can vouch for their particular strengths depending on what your face is shouting for.
Before you dive face-first into any of the above, a gentle PSA: patch test along the jaw for 24 hours, even if that sounds like something your mum would say (sorry for being that over-protective parent). Keep in mind that clay-based clarity is not a permanent trophy; you will need ongoing use to maintain the pore-purifying perks.