Introduction
Anthony has long held a quiet yet respected spot on the grooming shelf, the kind of brand friends swear by while others wonder how they missed the memo. Known for formulas that feel more science lab than spa brochure, Anthony manages to keep things approachable without sacrificing performance.
Enter Deep Pore Cleansing Clay, a product whose name practically draws its own diagram: clay, pores and a promise of deep cleaning. The brand says this mask tackles hidden dirt, sweat and oil while offering a side hustle in exfoliation and pore tightening, thanks to a mix of kaolin, bentonite, menthol and a dash of vitamin A. Big claims, especially for something meant to hang out on your face for a mere ten minutes.
I spent a full two weeks putting this mask through its paces, slotting it into my Sunday resets and sneaky midweek pick-me-ups, all to see if it delivers results worth your hard-earned money. The details follow.
What is Deep Pore Cleansing Clay?
Deep Pore Cleansing Clay sits in the wash-off mask category, meaning you apply it, let it dry then rinse it away rather than leaving it on overnight. Wash-off masks are useful when you want a concentrated treatment without committing to a permanent layer of product. They give active ingredients a short window to do their job then exit the stage, making them a low-risk add-on to most routines.
This formula relies on a blend of kaolin and bentonite clays, both known for absorbing surface oil and debris. Anthony adds menthol for that tell-tale cooling sensation plus vitamin A derivatives for a mild boost in cell turnover. The goal is a one-two punch: unclog pores by drawing out grime and lightly exfoliate so skin feels cleaner and looks a touch smoother after each use.
The instructions keep things simple. Start with clean dry skin, spread a thin layer over face and neck while avoiding the eye area, give it five to ten minutes to set then rinse with warm water. The brand recommends using it once or twice a week which fits neatly into most existing routines without much rearranging.
Did it work?
I did the very scientific thing of pausing my usual wash off mask for three days before starting this trial, because nothing says “controlled experiment” like standing in your bathroom feeling strangely proud of skipping skincare. Fourteen days felt like a decent window to judge results, so I slotted the mask in every Sunday and Thursday night, keeping everything else in my routine unchanged.
The first use delivered that immediate menthol tingle I half love and half resent. Five minutes in, the clay tightened just enough to remind me it was working and rinsed away cleanly. Post rinse my skin felt smoother and looked noticeably less shiny along the T zone, though the effect faded by lunchtime the next day. No redness, no stinging, so I chalked up an early win for sensitivity.
By the fourth application I started seeing subtle but repeatable improvements. Sebum around my nose was easier to manage, and a couple of stubborn clogged pores on my chin looked flatter. The mask never over dried my cheeks, but I did need a touch more moisturizer at night to keep things balanced. I cannot say it prevented breakouts altogether; a surprise visitor popped up on day ten and marched on unchecked, suggesting the formula is more maintenance crew than security guard.
At the end of the two weeks my skin felt consistently cleaner after each use, with small gains in smoothness and a mild reduction in visible pore size. Those are solid but not game changing results. The claims around deep cleaning and light exfoliation mostly hold up, while the promise of dramatic pore tightening lands closer to polite nudge than full renovation.
So did it work? Yes, in the sense that it does what a clay mask should without causing irritation. Will I personally keep it in rotation? Probably not, only because the improvements, while real, were modest and I already own other treatments that give me similar payoffs. Still, if you are hunting for a gentle, fuss free clay option with a refreshing kick this one is worth a test drive.
Deep pore cleansing clay’s main ingredients explained
The formula opens with kaolin and bentonite clays, two mineral powerhouses that work like tiny magnets for oil and debris. Kaolin is the softer of the pair, making it a safe bet for sensitive complexions, while bentonite swells as it hydrates which helps lift impurities from pores. Together they account for the mask’s immediate mattifying payoff without the tight, parched feeling some clay blends leave behind.
Next come the emulsifiers glyceryl stearate and PEG-100 stearate. They keep water and oil phases happily married and lend the silky spread you notice on application. Worth noting: glyceryl stearate carries a moderate comedogenic rating, meaning it can occasionally clog pores if you are extremely prone to acne. “Comedogenic” simply refers to an ingredient’s tendency to block pores and spark breakouts. In this formula the concentration is low and the rinse-off nature further limits risk, but extra-sensitive users may want to patch test.
The support cast features a mix of soothing botanicals, including calendula, aloe and panthenol, all chosen to temper the drying edge of clay. Apricot fruit extract sneaks in natural sugars for a soft glow yet also brings trace oils that, like glyceryl stearate, sit mid-range on the comedogenic scale. Essential oils of orange, spearmint, basil, rosemary and eucalyptus provide the spa-like aroma and that sharp mentholated chill. Great for a five-minute wake-up, less ideal if your skin hates fragrance, so keep that in mind.
Vitamin talk arrives via ascorbic acid (vitamin C) for antioxidant punch and retinyl palmitate (a vitamin A ester) for mild cell turnover. That last one is important: any form of vitamin A is generally flagged for expectant or nursing mothers. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding consult a doctor before adding this mask, even though the ingredient is present in a wash-off format.
Preservation is handled by phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, chlorphenesin and potassium sorbate, all commonly used to keep microbial growth in check. The inclusion of BHT and methylisothiazolinone might raise eyebrows for ultra-clean beauty purists but both fall within regulated safety limits for rinse-off products.
No ingredient here is sourced from animals, so the mask is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. It is also free of mineral oil and silicones, two categories people often blame for congestion, though as mentioned a couple of mid-level comedogens do appear further down the list. Overall the blend balances oil-absorbing actives with calming and exfoliating touches, delivering results that lean gentle rather than aggressive.
What I liked/didn’t like
After a fortnight of trial runs a few clear highlights and caveats emerged.
What works well:
- Absorbs surface oil quickly leaving skin smooth and noticeably matte for several hours
- Rinses away without residue so there is no post mask tightness or flaking
- Menthol cooling effect offers a quick refresh that feels especially welcome after workouts
What to consider:
- Results fade by the next day so ongoing oil control will still rely on other routine staples
- Menthol plus added fragrance may not suit reactive or fragrance sensitive skin
- Includes a few mid range comedogenic ingredients that could be problematic for very acne prone users
My final thoughts
Deep Pore Cleansing Clay scored a respectable 7/10 in my book. It behaves exactly like a well mannered clay mask should: absorbs oil, smooths the surface and leaves skin feeling fresher for a short but satisfying window. If you lean combination to oily, enjoy a cooling menthol kick and prefer gentle maintenance over dramatic resurfacing, you will likely be pleased. If your skin is bone dry, highly reactive to fragrance or you want a mask that single-handedly keeps breakouts at bay, this is probably not your new holy grail. I have worked through more wash-off masks than I care to admit so I feel I gave this blend a fair trial, and while I was impressed by its reliability I was never outright dazzled. Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, though with the caveat that they temper expectations and keep a hydrating follow-up on standby.
For anyone window-shopping the clay aisle, a few alternatives I have personally rotated through deserve a quick nod. Deascal’s Pink Clay Glow Mask is the closest thing I have found to a one-and-done option: it exfoliates, clears pores, brightens and somehow stays kind to every skin type I have tested it on, all at a price that feels refreshingly sane. Caudalie’s Instant Detox Mask brings a slightly stronger purge and a grape-seed boost that leaves skin looking lively, while NIOD’s Flavanone Mud plays the long game with a clever decongestion mechanism that keeps sebaceous drama in check for days. Innisfree’s Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask rounds things out with solid oil control and a mild cooling finish minus the sharper menthol edge Anthony favors.
Before you sprint to the sink with any new mask remember a few basics. Patch test behind the ear or along the jaw, no matter how impatient you feel (sorry for sounding like an over-protective parent). Give the formula time to show its hand and accept that results are maintenance not miracles; consistent use is what keeps pores behaving. Happy masking.