Introduction
Beplain may not yet be a household name in every bathroom cabinet, but skin care enthusiasts have been whispering its praises for a while. The South Korean label is quietly earning a reputation for gentle formulas that put botanicals before buzzwords, and its latest launch aims straight for the pores.
Mung Bean Pore Clay Mask is quite a mouthful, sounding almost more like a health food than a wash-off treatment. That playful name belies some serious promises: the brand touts pore purification, tightening and refinement with the help of mung bean extract plus a cocktail of kaolin and bentonite clays. In short, it says this mask will vacuum up oil, sweep away dead cells and leave skin clearer and more balanced after just ten to fifteen minutes.
Skeptical yet intrigued, I committed to a full two-week trial, applying the mask twice a week to see whether those claims would hold up in real-life bathroom lighting. Here is what I found.
What is Mung Bean Pore Clay Mask?
This is a rinse-off treatment that sits in the wash-off mask family, meaning you smooth it on, leave it to do its job, then remove it entirely with water rather than letting it absorb like a cream. Wash-off formulas are popular for giving skin an intensive yet short contact with active ingredients, making them a low-commitment way to reset congestion or dullness without the risk of leaving residues overnight.
Beplain’s version centers on two clays, kaolin and bentonite, partnered with mung bean extract. The clays work like tiny magnets, attracting excess oil and the grime that settles in pores, while the legume-derived extract is there for extra purification and a hint of soothing. The brand also claims the mask helps whisk away dead skin cells, regulate sebum and leave the complexion clearer and more balanced.
Application is straightforward: spread a thin layer, wait ten to fifteen minutes and rinse. The recommended cadence is one or two sessions per week, which aligns with most experts’ advice for keeping pores in check without over-stripping. Beplain positions the formula as suitable for all skin types, promising a refreshed feel rather than an arid desert face once you towel off.
Did it work?
In the name of science I benched my regular clay mask for a few days before starting, which felt very clinical considering the “laboratory” was my bathroom sink. Fourteen days seemed a fair window to judge whether mung beans could outshine my old faithful, so I slotted the mask in on Sunday and Thursday evenings right after a mild gel cleanse.
First application: the minty green paste spread easily and set within five minutes. I felt a gentle cooling but no stinging, which I always take as a good omen. After the rinse my T-zone looked less shiny and my cheeks felt smooth, almost powdery. Pores around my nose appeared a touch more defined at the edges, not exactly shrunken but definitely clearer. That matte calm lasted until lunch the next day before my usual afternoon sheen crept back.
By the second use I noticed it was lifting embedded sunscreen quite well; the cotton pad with my follow-up toner came away cleaner than usual. My skin stayed balanced for roughly 36 hours this time, a small win for someone who blots by mid-morning. I did, however, spot a faint tightness along my jaw if I forgot to moisturize quickly after rinsing.
Week two was the real test. A hormonal blemish threatened on my chin midweek but never fully surfaced, which I credit to the clay keeping oil flow in check. On the flip side the mask did little for the stubborn blackheads on my nose; they looked lighter right after rinsing then re-oxidized by the next day. Texture-wise my forehead felt consistently smoother and makeup sat more evenly, though I cannot say the overall pore size looked dramatically different in natural light.
At the end of the 14 days my verdict is that Beplain delivers a respectable deep clean and short-term sebum control without the aggressive after-burn some clay masks bring. It meets most of its claims, just not in a transformative way. Will I slot it into my permanent rotation? Probably not, yet I would happily reach for it before a big event when I want a quick clarity boost. Consider it a solid supporting act rather than a headline star.
Mung bean pore clay mask’s main ingredients explained
Front and center is kaolin paired with bentonite, two naturally occurring clays prized for their oil-absorbing ability. Kaolin is the gentler of the duo, making it suitable for drier or more sensitive complexions, while bentonite swells on contact with water to pull debris from pores. Together they account for the mask’s immediate matte finish and smoother feel after rinsing.
The signature mung bean complex shows up in several forms: Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Powder and Sprout Extract. Rich in amino acids and saponins, mung bean has a long history in Asian beauty recipes for calming redness and gently purifying congested skin. Here it seems to temper the clays’ intensity so you get a detox without the squeak.
Supporting players deserve a nod. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) appears midway through the list to quietly brighten and reinforce the skin barrier over time. Glycerin, betaine and diglycerin help counterbalance any moisture loss, so that tight, post-clay sensation is minimal if you follow with a light moisturizer. Calamine lends the formula its subtle pinkish tint and brings soothing zinc into the mix, handy for inflamed spots.
A few flags for ingredient readers: olive fruit oil ranks lower in the deck yet can be moderately comedogenic, which means it has the potential to clog pores in some acne-prone individuals. Most of the remaining plant oils, such as rosemary and clary, are present in trace amounts that are unlikely to cause congestion. The recipe is free of animal-derived materials, making it vegan and vegetarian friendly.
Pregnancy considerations are straightforward. While none of the actives raise immediate red flags, the essential oils and clays have not been extensively studied for use during pregnancy. As always it is wisest for expectant or nursing users to check in with a healthcare professional before adding any new topical treatment.
Lastly, the formula is fragrance-free in the traditional sense, but the natural oils give off a faint herbal note that dissipates quickly. There is also a protease enzyme tucked in at the end of the list that may contribute a whisper of exfoliation, though not enough to replace your dedicated acid toner. All told the ingredient roster leans clean and uncomplicated, mirroring Beplain’s less-is-more philosophy.
What I liked/didn’t like
After two weeks of use here is the plain pros and cons rundown.
What works well:
- Delivers an instant matte finish that lasts close to a full day without leaving skin flaky
- Soothes mild redness and irritation thanks to the mung bean complex and calamine
- Gentler than many clay masks so even combination or slightly dry skin stays comfortable after rinsing
What to consider:
- Blackheads and deeply lodged congestion return quickly which limits long term impact
- Includes several essential oils that may not suit very reactive skin
- Performance is solid but not notably better than similar masks in the same price bracket
My final thoughts
Wash off masks can be the quick reboot a routine needs, yet they walk a tightrope between meaningful purifying and overzealous stripping. After two weeks with Beplain’s Mung Bean Pore Clay Mask I feel it lands safely in the middle. It gives a noticeable, if temporary, reduction in shine, leaves skin appreciably smoother and behaves kindly toward combination and mildly sensitive complexions. It does not, however, rewrite the rulebook on congestion or pore size and it will not keep blackheads at bay for more than a day or two. On my personal scoreboard that earns it a solid 7/10.
Would I recommend it? Yes, with caveats. If you are new to clay masks or you find most formulas leave you parched this is a considerate entry point. If you already rotate stronger clarifying treatments or you chase long term pore refinement you may find it pleasant but redundant. I would pass it along to a friend with combination skin who wants a once or twice weekly tidy up but I would steer my very oily pals toward something punchier.
Speaking of options, a few alternatives have impressed me over multiple tubs and tubes. Deascal’s Pink Clay Glow Mask is my current all rounder: it exfoliates, clarifies and brightens in a single ten minute sit-down and it does so at a wallet friendly price. For a classic deep clean Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque still earns its cult status, while Caudalie’s Instant Detox Mask brings a satisfying vacuum effect without leaving the cheeks tight. When I need oil control that lasts through a humid commute I reach for Innisfree’s Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask which seems to anchor makeup better than most.
Before you dash off to slather anything new on your face a few housekeeping notes: patch test first on a discreet area (sorry for sounding like an over-protective parent), keep expectations realistic and remember that any clarity you gain from a clay mask is fleeting unless you maintain a balanced routine. Consistency beats miracles every time.