Introduction
Mixsoon may have slipped under the radar of casual skincare shoppers but among ingredient sleuths it enjoys a quiet cult status for formulas that balance simplicity and skin respect. The Seoul-based brand has a knack for pairing time-tested botanicals with modern textures and this reputation alone had me eager to see what its latest launch could do for my sometimes troublesome T-zone.
Pore Tory Clay Pack arrives with a name that feels more children’s storybook than serious skincare yet the promises are decidedly grown up. Mixsoon touts a quartet of green and white clays, a sprinkling of oak fruit powder and a calming hit of Centella to vacuum out debris while keeping irritation at bay. They claim a creamy, non-stripping experience that leaves pores looking refreshed and skin feeling hydrated.
Marketing prose can be persuasive but after a full two weeks of disciplined use I have gathered enough real-world data to decide whether this wash-off mask truly earns a spot in a crowded bathroom cabinet and, more importantly, whether it warrants your hard-earned money.
What is Pore Tory Clay Pack?
Pore Tory Clay Pack sits in the wash off mask category, which means it is applied, left to work for several minutes, then removed with water rather than wiped away or left on overnight. Wash off masks are popular because they deliver a targeted burst of active ingredients without the commitment of a leave on product and they offer an immediate tactile sense of cleanliness once rinsed.
This formula relies on a blend of four clays, most notably kaolin and bentonite, that bind to excess oil and debris while lending a mild tightening sensation as the mask sets. Fine oak fruit powder offers gentle physical exfoliation and centella asiatica extract contributes a calming effect that aims to offset any potential clay related dryness. Humectants such as glycerin and diglycerin are included to hold water in the skin so the end result feels less chalky and more conditioned than a traditional mud mask.
Marketed as suitable for all skin types, the mask is positioned to refine the look of pores, temper shine and leave the complexion feeling refreshed in a single step. Regular use is suggested for ongoing maintenance but the brand advises washing it off before it fully dries to avoid unnecessary tugging or dehydration.
Did it work?
In the name of science I actually benched my usual wash off mask for three full days before starting this trial, which felt wildly professional for someone who still forgets SPF on gloomy mornings. Fourteen days seemed a fair runway to judge results so I slotted Pore Tory Clay Pack into my routine every other evening after cleansing, leaving it on for about eight minutes before the first signs of cracking.
The first application left my cheeks pleasantly cool and a little tingly while my forehead felt that classic clay tightening. Rinsing was easy enough; the fine oak powder offered a mild scrub and my skin emerged smoother but not squeaky. By the next morning any overnight oil slick on my nose was noticeably muted yet the rest of my face stayed comfortable, which impressed me.
Sessions two through five followed a similar pattern. Immediate post mask glow, softer texture and a temporary blurring of my craterlike pores around the nose. I did notice that if I let it dry too much I had faint redness along my chin, so stopping at the still-damp stage was key. Hydration levels held steady thanks to the humectants but I never felt the plush suppleness that some hydrating masks deliver.
Heading into the second week the novelty wore off and I started comparing results with my usual clay pick. Oil control stayed decent yet not markedly better and those pore size improvements remained fleeting; by the next morning they looked pretty much the same as before. On the bright side I experienced zero breakouts or stinging, which can happen with more aggressive formulas.
So did it live up to its claims? Partially. It did keep shine in check and gave a quick refinement boost without stripping but it fell short of the deeper detox I was secretly hoping for. I will finish the jar happily though I will likely return to my standby mask once it is gone; still, if someone with combo skin asked me for a gentle clay option I would point them here with confidence.
Pore Tory Clay Pack’s main ingredients explained
The backbone of this mask is a four clay blend starring kaolin and bentonite, both celebrated for their oil absorbing talent without the aggressive pull you sometimes get from volcanic ash formulas. Kaolin is the gentler of the two so it keeps the overall experience soft while bentonite contributes that satisfying vacuum effect on congested pores. Neither clay is considered comedogenic, meaning they do not clog pores, which is reassuring for acne prone users.
Humectants come next. Glycerin, diglycerin and propanediol attract water like tiny magnets so your skin does not feel papery once the mask is rinsed off. Sodium hyaluronate shows up further down the list to reinforce this moisture hold, though in a rinse off product its impact is mostly about immediate surface comfort rather than long term plumping.
Mixsoon sprinkles in quercus acutissima fruit extract and a matching fruit powder to provide very mild physical exfoliation. The grains are superfine so they do not leave micro scratches yet they still give that polished afterglow. Centella asiatica in both leaf and whole plant extract forms brings calming madecassoside and asiaticoside molecules to the party which helps offset any redness from clay tightening.
Botanical extras such as artemisia, witch hazel and a trio of mint extracts lend a fresh scent and subtle cooling feel. They are present at low levels but anyone with a known sensitivity to essential oil components should patch test. On the plus side the formula contains no added fragrance or drying alcohol which keeps irritation risk lower than many mask peers.
Technically the ingredient roster is vegan friendly because it contains no animal derived substances. It is also vegetarian safe. As for pregnancy, the formula skips retinoids, high dose salicylic acid and strong bleaching agents yet it does feature a bouquet of botanical extracts that may not have robust safety data in expecting individuals. The cautious approach is to ask a healthcare professional before using any leave on or wash off active product while pregnant.
No traditionally high comedogenic ingredients like coconut oil, isopropyl myristate or algae derivatives are present. Polyisobutene is mildly occlusive but ranks low on the clogging scale. That means most skin types should not see an uptick in breakouts provided the mask is properly removed.
Last but not least a small amount of titanium dioxide and iron oxides give the cream its muted green tint and add a touch of opacity so you can see where you have covered. These pigments are inert and do not alter skin tone. All in all the ingredient list leans gentle yet functional which explains why the mask feels kind to skin even though it performs decent oil mop duty.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is the quick take after two weeks with the mask.
What works well:
- Creamy clay base removes excess oil without leaving skin tight or flaky
- Fine oak fruit powder gives a gentle polish that rinses off cleanly with minimal effort
- Centella and humectants keep post mask comfort high so even reactive skin stays calm
- No added fragrance and fully vegan friendly formula broaden its appeal
What to consider:
- Pore blurring effect is short lived so it may not satisfy those seeking longer term refinement
- If left to fully dry it can trigger mild redness on sensitive spots
- Price lands in the mid tier which could feel steep given the modest performance gains
My final thoughts
After two weeks of steady rotation my verdict is a solid 7/10. Pore Tory Clay Pack is a considerate clay mask that puts comfort first and, if used correctly, it reins in shine while giving pores a quick visual tune-up. I respect its gentle approach, yet I was not dazzled enough to call it a game changer. Those with combination or mildly oily skin who fear the drying backlash of traditional mud formulas will likely find it a sweet spot. Anyone chasing a dramatic purge or lasting pore shrinkage may want something punchier.
Would I recommend it to a friend? If that friend prioritises a non-stripping feel and prefers botanical leaning formulas then yes, with the caveat that the glow is temporary and diligence is key. For my own shelf it sits comfortably in the “nice to have” tier rather than “must restock at all costs”.
If you decide you want comparable results with a slightly different personality there are a few masks I have used and rate highly. Deascal’s Pink Clay Glow Mask is an efficient allrounder that exfoliates, clarifies and brightens in one swoop and its price-to-performance ratio is hard to beat. Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque goes deeper on oil absorption and feels almost medicinal when congested days strike. NIOD’s Flavanone Mud offers a more high-tech detox with a lingering tightening effect that outlasts most competitors. Finally Caudalie’s Instant Detox Mask delivers a quick vacuum-cleaner moment then rinses away to reveal a surprisingly lit finish.
Please keep in mind a wash-off mask is only one piece of the skincare puzzle and its benefits fade if you do not keep up with regular use. Patch test before slathering it on, even if that sounds like advice from an over-protective parent, and listen to your skin if you feel any irritation beginning to surface.