Introduction
Celimax may not yet be a household name on every vanity but skincare enthusiasts quietly speak its praises for formulas that feel thoughtful and unexpectedly sophisticated. The Seoul based label has made a habit of turning familiar categories on their heads, and its latest foray into clay masking aims to do just that.
The Real Noni Refresh Clay Mask arrives with a title that reads like a juice bar special and, happily, promises a similar kind of complexion pick-me-up. Celimax touts it as a powerful yet gentle treatment that dives deep into pores, whisks away gunk and somehow leaves inner layers comfortably hydrated. Safe for all skin types, even the fungal acne wary, it asks for just 10 to 15 minutes of your time before a warm rinse.
I gave the mask a dedicated seat in my nightly lineup for a full two weeks, logging each application to see if the results live up to the enticing claims and, most importantly, whether it deserves a spot in your routine and budget.
What is the Real Noni Refresh Clay Mask?
This product is a wash-off mask, meaning it is applied, left to sit for a set amount of time then removed with water instead of being left on the skin. Wash-off masks are popular because they deliver a concentrated treatment yet leave nothing behind that could clog pores or irritate sensitive faces. They are often used as a weekly or twice-weekly boost rather than a daily step.
Celimax positions this particular mask as a clay-based formula that combines kaolin and bentonite, two mineral clays known for absorbing excess oil and lifting debris from pores. To temper the potential dryness that clays sometimes cause, the mask is bolstered with plant extracts including morinda citrifolia (noni) plus humectants like glycerin and propanediol, which draw water into the skin. The brand also notes that the recipe avoids ingredients commonly flagged by those managing fungal acne concerns.
In practical terms the mask is intended to be smoothed onto clean skin, left to work for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinsed away with warm water. The promised payoff is a clearer surface and a more hydrated feel beneath, making it a multitasker for people who want pore purification without the tight aftermath that some clay formulas leave behind.
Did it work?
In the name of science I paused my usual clay concoction for a few days before the trial, a very controlled experiment if you ask my bathroom mirror. Fourteen days felt long enough to spot real changes without losing steam, so I slotted the mask in every third night for a total of five full sessions.
First application: a smooth layer, mild herbal scent, no tingle. After the suggested 15 minutes it rinsed off cleanly and left my cheeks pleasantly cool rather than tight. The immediate payoff was a muted shine on my forehead and a softer feel along the jaw where tiny rough bumps like to camp out. Nothing dramatic but a nice opening statement.
By the third session my T zone did look a touch clearer. Sebaceous filaments on my nose were still visible yet less pronounced and makeup sat more evenly over my chin. Importantly I never felt that telltale post-clay dehydration where you race for a serum. The promised hydration-in-the-depths seemed to hold true; I could move straight to a light moisturizer without feeling stripped.
Week two brought the real test: mid-summer humidity plus a stress-induced breakout along my temples. The mask tempered the oil surge, calming the angry patches so they flattened faster, though it did not outright prevent new blemishes. On the hydration front it continued to play nicely with my combination skin, keeping flakiness at bay around my mouth which is rare for anything clay based.
By day fourteen my overall tone looked a bit brighter and my pores a shade less congested. Still, the improvements hovered in the “nice to have” category rather than “cannot live without.” The mask delivered on its gentle deep clean claim and sidestepped dryness, two boxes many formulas fail to tick. Would I purchase it for my own shelf? Probably not given the sheer volume of masks already fighting for space, but I would happily reach for it if offered and recommend it to someone hunting for a kinder clay experience.
Main ingredients explained
The star of the blend is morinda citrifolia, better known as noni, which shows up twice on the list as both extract and fruit extract. Noni carries a cocktail of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that help calm inflammation and fend off free-radical damage, so it supports the mask’s soothing mission while giving a mild brightening nudge over time.
Next come the twin clays: kaolin and bentonite. Kaolin is the gentler of the two, lifting surface oil without scrubbing skin raw. Bentonite swells on contact with water, drawing impurities from pores like a magnet. Together they create the deep-clean sensation people look for in a clay treatment yet they avoid the chalky stiffness some heavier formulas can create.
Humectants step in to keep things balanced. Glycerin, propanediol and butylene glycol pull water into the upper layers so the clays do not leave you parched. Allantoin adds an extra layer of softness by encouraging skin to hold on to moisture longer, which is why you can skip the frantic serum chase after rinsing.
The formula is dotted with a garden’s worth of botanical extracts: green tea for antioxidant support, licorice root for tone evening and perilla and agrimonia for their mild anti-inflammatory profiles. None are present in concentrations that will replace targeted actives but they round out the mask with gentle skin-comforting benefits.
One ingredient worth flagging is prunus amygdalus amara (bitter almond) kernel oil. While its fatty acids help prevent over-drying it carries a moderate comedogenic rating, meaning it can clog pores for some acne-prone users. If you are very susceptible to breakouts patch test first. (Comedogenic refers to an ingredient’s tendency to block pores which can trigger blackheads or pimples.) The rest of the lineup, including both clays and the bulk of the plant extracts, is considered low risk on the clogging scale.
No animal-derived materials appear on the INCI list and iron oxides are mineral sourced, so the mask is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. It also skips common fungal acne triggers such as esters and polysorbates which is good news for those managing malassezia issues.
If you are expecting or nursing the ingredient deck looks tame yet the mask does contain alcohol and a variety of herbal extracts. Pregnancy can heighten skin sensitivity so err on the side of caution and clear any new topical with your healthcare provider first.
Finally a quick note on color: the slight earthy tint comes from the iron oxides which can leave a whisper of residue on light washcloths but will not stain skin. The fragrance is naturally herbal with no added perfume so scent-sensitive users should find it unobtrusive.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is the quick rundown after five sessions.
What works well:
- Clay blend lifts oil and debris while leaving skin comfortably hydrated
- Formula is fungal acne considerate and suits a wide range of skin types
- Ten to fifteen minute application slot is easy to slot into an evening routine
- Noni and botanical mix offer mild brightening and a smoother post rinse feel
What to consider:
- Progress is incremental so those seeking a dramatic purge may be disappointed
- Alcohol and bitter almond oil could trigger sensitivity or clogging for some users
- Mid tier price and limited stockists mean it is not the easiest impulse buy
My final thoughts
After five rounds I can safely say Celimax delivers on its promise of a gentler clay session, just not in a way that rattled my skincare worldview. The mask cleans well, keeps dehydration at bay and slots neatly into busy routines yet its results stayed in the modest improvement zone. If your goal is maintenance level clarity and you are wary of the tight drum–skin feeling many clay formulas create, this is a respectable option. Those chasing a dramatic pore purge or a lightning fast brightening effect might feel underwhelmed.
I ended up at a solid 7/10. I would recommend it to friends with combination or normal skin who crave a fuss-free wash-off mask that plays nicely with malassezia concerns. I would not push it on anyone already content with a heavy-hitter or on very oily complexions that need something more aggressive. In my own cabinet it joins the “happy to reach for when the mood strikes” category rather than the “repurchase on sight” shelf.
If you like the concept but want to explore alternatives I have a few personal favorites worth sampling. Deascal’s Pink Clay Glow Mask is an excellent all-rounder that exfoliates clears and brightens in one satisfying sweep at a wallet-friendly price. Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque offers a slightly stronger vacuum effect for stubborn congestion without crossing into harsh territory. Innisfree’s Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask is a dependable pick for oilier days thanks to its fine volcanic clusters and surprisingly soft rinse off. Finally NIOD’s Flavanone Mud takes the science route with a tingle-free but noticeably refining finish for users who enjoy a more advanced formula. I have rotated through each of these enough times to vouch for their performance and nuances.
Before you scoop into any new mask do a quick patch test on your neck or inner arm to rule out surprises (sorry for sounding like an over-protective parent). Remember that clarity and brightness require consistency so one mask session will not lock results in for life. Keep your broader routine balanced hydrate afterward and your skin will thank you.