Introduction
G9SKIN may not be a household name for every skincare devotee, but among K beauty enthusiasts it enjoys a quiet cult status for playful formulas that often over deliver on their promises. I have long admired the brand’s knack for turning routine treatments into small moments of fun and this latest launch is no exception.
With a title that sounds like a carnival ride for your complexion, the Color Clay Carbonated Bubble Pack promises a charcoal infused foam that lifts away dead cells blackheads and miscellaneous grime in less than ten minutes. According to G9SKIN the clay activates on contact with air, fizzes into a cloud of micro bubbles and leaves pores looking vacuumed clean.
Intrigued by the claims I devoted a full two weeks of twice weekly sessions to see how this bubbly mask performs in real bathroom conditions and whether it deserves a spot on your shelf or just a polite round of applause from afar.
What is Color Clay Carbonated Bubble Pack?
Color Clay Carbonated Bubble Pack is a wash off mask, meaning it is applied, left to work for a set time then rinsed away rather than absorbed. Wash off masks act as short, targeted treatments that give skin an immediate surface level boost by sweeping away oil, dead cells and other buildup so follow up products can penetrate more effectively.
This mask pairs charcoal powder with mineral rich clays that are known for drawing impurities out of pores. Once the formula meets air it begins to fizz, creating small carbonated bubbles that help loosen debris while the clay absorbs excess sebum. The recommended five to seven minute window lets the bubbles peak before you rinse, keeping the process quick enough for a mid week tune up.
In practical terms it is positioned as a twice weekly option for anyone managing blackheads, dull texture or general congestion and looking for a step that cleans the slate without overcommitting to a lengthy treatment.
Did it work?
In the name of very serious skincare science I benched my usual wash off mask for three whole days before starting this trial, a sacrifice that felt both noble and mildly terrifying. Fourteen days and four applications later I can say that is a reasonable window to judge whether this fizzy clay is a hit or simply a cute party trick.
Application one delivered exactly what the marketing promised: within seconds the soft gray layer puffed up into a foamy cushion that crackled against my cheeks like distant Pop Rocks. Five minutes in, the clouds drooped and I rinsed away a thin slurry of clay and bubbles. My skin felt baby smooth and looked a shade brighter, though the blackheads on my nose remained pretty much where I left them.
By the second session I noticed that letting the mask sit the full seven minutes produced a deeper cleanse but also left my drier forehead feeling a little tight. I followed with a hydrating toner and things settled quickly, but it reminded me this is more of a detox step than a pampering one.
The third and fourth rounds were consistent: instant softness, decent oil control and a fleeting optical blurring of pores that lasted until the next morning cleanse. My chin congestion was slightly reduced and the stubborn cluster of blackheads on my nose appeared lighter though not fully evicted. On the plus side I experienced zero stinging or redness, something charcoal formulas sometimes trigger for me.
So did it deliver? Mostly. It produces a quick surface level refresh, it is undeniably fun to use and it never irritated my combination skin. What it did not do was provide lasting pore decongestion or enough wow factor to bump my current clarifying mask from the lineup. I will keep it in mind for a pre event polish or a playful spa night but it will not earn permanent residency on my shelf.
Color Clay Carbonated Bubble Pack’s main ingredients explained
The big selling point here is the trio of detoxifiers: charcoal powder, bentonite and kaolin. Charcoal acts like a magnet for surface grime while mineral rich clays mop up excess oil, giving that fresh matte finish I noticed after rinsing. None of these ingredients are inherently comedogenic, which means they are unlikely to clog pores, a key concern for acne-prone skin.
The signature fizz comes from carbonated water paired with methyl perfluoroisobutyl ether, a gas-binding molecule that releases tiny bubbles when it meets air. It feels gimmicky but the micro effervescence does help nudge debris out of pores so the clays can whisk it away.
To balance the drying nature of clay the formula leans on glycerin, butylene glycol and a touch of sodium hyaluronate. These humectants pull water into the upper layers of skin so the post mask feel is clean yet not desert dry. Allantoin shows up too, offering mild soothing benefits especially useful if you are sensitive to strong cleansers.
Foaming surfactants such as disodium cocoamphodiacetate, cocamidopropyl betaine and sodium lauryl sulfate create the creamy lather that lifts off when you rinse. The first two are considered gentle but sodium lauryl sulfate can be irritating for some users, particularly if left on longer than the suggested seven minutes. Irritation is not the same as comedogenicity but it is worth noting if your barrier is already compromised.
Bergamot oil, limonene and parfum give the mask its fresh scent however they sit on the list of potential allergens. If you are reactive to fragrance patch test first. Preservatives phenoxyethanol and chlorphenesin keep the pot stable and are present at low concentrations typical for rinse off formulas.
Those scanning for animal derivatives can breathe easy; every entry on the INCI reads plant, mineral or lab synthesized so the product is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. That said, the inclusion of essential oils and the rinse off nature do not automatically make it pregnancy safe. As always anyone expecting or nursing should get a professional green light before adding new actives.
Finally a quick flag for the ingredient detectives: there is no added alcohol or silicone, a plus if you avoid either. The mask does, however, contain sulfates and fragrance so its gentle reputation depends on your personal tolerance more than the marketing copy.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is my quick hit list of highs and lows after four uses.
What works well:
- Light, fizzy texture makes the five minute wait feel playful rather than tedious
- Clay and charcoal combo delivers an immediate smooth matte finish that preps skin for serums
- No stinging or redness on my combination skin despite sulfates in the formula
- Rinse off process is swift so it fits easily into a midweek routine
What to consider:
- Bubble action gives only superficial pore clearing so stubborn blackheads may remain
- Clay can leave drier areas feeling tight unless you follow with extra hydration
- Contains fragrance which may not suit very sensitive skin types
My final thoughts
Finding a wash off mask that walks the line between quick gratification and meaningful results is trickier than it should be. After four rounds with Color Clay Carbonated Bubble Pack I am comfortable saying I gave it the same fair shake I extend to every new clarifier that crosses my bathroom sink. It left my skin soft, a touch brighter and pleasantly grease free yet it never quite toppled the more hard working formulas I reach for when congestion really digs in. If you enjoy a playful texture, like the idea of a five minute reset and your main goal is keeping surface dullness at bay, this mask earns a respectable 7/10 and is worth a whirl. Those hoping for blackhead eviction or long term pore refinement may want to temper expectations or use it as a fun pre game before heavier hitters. Would I recommend it to a friend? If that friend has combination to oily skin and a sense of skincare fun, yes, but with the caveat that it is an occasional treat rather than a pore care revolution.
If you want a clay mask that covers more bases in one go the Pink Clay Glow Mask by Deascal has impressed me over several tubs for its balanced exfoliation, brightening kick and wallet friendly price. For deeper detox sessions Innisfree’s Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask still sets the standard for budget friendly sebum control while Caudalie’s Instant Detox Mask gives a satisfying vacuum clean feel without leaving cheeks parched. On days when breakouts lurk The Ordinary’s Salicylic Acid 2% Masque remains my low cost insurance policy, clearing dead cells and calming angry T zones before they spiral. I’ve used all four repeatedly and each brings something distinct to the weekly masking roster.
Before you slap on anything bubbly or volcanic remember a couple of unglamorous basics: patch test new formulas, especially those with fragrance or acids, and never leave a clay mask on past the recommended window unless you enjoy tight cheeks. Results from clarifying masks are refreshingly quick but equally fleeting so consistency is key. Sorry to sound like an over protective parent yet your skin will thank you for the extra caution.