Introduction
Missha is one of those Korean beauty staples that seasoned skincare fans rave about while newcomers wonder how it slipped under their radar. The brand has built its reputation on balancing science with sensorial pleasure, and I have to admit its track record made me curious from the start.
Enter the Artemisia Pack Foam Cleanser, a name so long it might need its own boarding pass but promising enough to pique any complexion nerd’s interest. Missha bills this multitasker as a 2-in-1 foaming wash and clay mask powered by double-fermented mugwort to calm redness, temper excess oil and deliver a spa-like cleanse in under two minutes. Sensitive skin types are the headline audience yet the formula claims to play nicely with everyone.
Armed with those claims and a healthy dose of skepticism I spent a full two weeks lathering, massaging and brief-masking with it morning and night. The goal was simple: find out if this earthy-scented cleanser lives up to Missha’s glowing promises and whether it deserves a spot in your routine or just a polite nod on the shelf.
What is Artemisia Pack Foam Cleanser?
At its core this product is a hybrid: part daily foaming cleanser part quick clay mask. The formula relies on kaolin and bentonite clays to mop up surface oil while a double fermentation of Artemisia (mugwort) extract aims to calm visible redness. Missha positions it as suitable for every skin type with a particular nod to those that flare up easily.
Because it is a wash-off mask you apply it, let it sit briefly then rinse it away rather than leaving it on the skin long term. Wash-off masks are helpful when you want a targeted treatment without risking prolonged exposure to potent actives. In this case the minute-long mask step offers a mild detox and a bit of soothing in the time it takes to brush your teeth.
You can use it two ways: quickly lather and rinse like a normal face wash or spread a thicker layer, wait a minute for the clays to set then massage with water to generate foam before rinsing clean. Either route delivers a mineral-rich cleanse with an herbal scent that signals the mugwort at work.
Did it work?
In the name of scientific rigor I benched my regular wash off mask for a few days before starting, which felt wildly professional for a person conducting experiments in a bathroom. Fourteen days struck me as a decent window to see whether mugwort magic could actually change my skin or just make it smell like an herb garden.
I treated it as a basic cleanser each morning, working a marble sized dab into a quick foam and rinsing before sunscreen. At night I played chemist, smoothing on a thicker layer and letting it sit the recommended minute while scrolling news I pretended not to read. With a splash of water the mask morphed into a dense lather that lifted sunscreen and city grime without protest.
First impressions were promising. My combination T-zone felt noticeably less slick by midday and there was a fleeting calm around my perpetually pink chin. No stinging, no post cleanse flush. The earthy scent is assertive but vanishes once water hits, leaving only that squeaky yet not stripped finish K-beauty cleansers seem to nail.
By day seven the honeymoon plateaued. Oil control stuck around through lunch but by late afternoon my forehead glowed like a phone screen. A couple of dry flecks showed up along my cheeks, nothing tragic yet enough to dial back the evening mask routine to every other night. Redness after workouts did fade faster which I credit to the mugwort but my pores looked the same size and my blackheads kept their usual residency.
Wrapping up at the two week mark my verdict is mixed. Yes, it soothed mild irritation and offered a satisfyingly deep cleanse in record time. Its claim of a spa like moment is fair if you enjoy an herbal cloud at the sink. However the oil tempering results were temporary and the subtle dryness means it is not the effortless daily hero my shelf needs. I will finish the tube as an occasional one minute mask on greasy summer days, then probably move on, but I can see it delighting anyone craving a gentle clay cleanse minus the twenty minute wait.
Main ingredients explained
The backbone of this cleanser is a trio of clays: kaolin, bentonite and magnesium aluminum silicate. Together they act like tiny vacuums, binding excess oil and debris without the stiffness that longer mask sessions can bring. Kaolin is the gentlest, bentonite adds stronger absorption power while the silicate keeps everything spreadable so the formula rinses clean in one go.
Missha’s headline act, double fermented Artemisia princeps extract, sits slightly lower on the list but still earns its spotlight. Fermentation breaks plant molecules into smaller sizes that may penetrate more easily, and mugwort has a solid resume for calming redness thanks to its flavonoids and antioxidants. In my two week test it was the ingredient most likely responsible for the quicker post-workout fade of that telltale red flush.
Cleansing surfactants come next. Sodium cocoyl glycinate gives the lush foam while remaining a mild amino acid–derived cleaner, and it is balanced by fatty acids like myristic, lauric and stearic acids. These fatty acids also lend the cream its cushiony texture but they carry a moderate comedogenic rating. In plain English, comedogenic means an ingredient has a tendency to clog pores in some people, especially if skin runs very oily or acne prone. I did not break out, yet anyone highly sensitive to pore blockages might want to patch test first.
Glycerin, dipropylene glycol and butylene glycol provide lightweight hydration so skin does not feel chalk dry once the clays rinse away. Ceramide NP shows up toward the end of the list to help reinforce the moisture barrier and offset any potential stripping effect.
The pleasant yet noticeable herbal scent is a cocktail of essential oils: lavender, mandarin, orange, rosemary and juniper. These lend aromatherapy vibes and minor antibacterial perks but can be irritating for very reactive skin. They also introduce allergens limonene and linalool which are worth flagging if your skin has a track record of sensitivity.
On the lifestyle front the formula appears vegan friendly since every component is plant derived or lab synthesized with no obvious animal by-products. It is also suitable for vegetarians by default. As for pregnancy safety, there are no high-alert actives like retinoids or high-dose salicylic acid, still essential oils can be a gray zone during pregnancy. The safest route is to clear any new topical with a healthcare provider before slathering it on.
Finally, the cleanser is free of added alcohol, parabens and synthetic fragrance which sensitive users often appreciate. The green tint comes from chromium oxide greens plus natural mugwort powder, not from artificial dyes that can sometimes irritate. All told, the ingredient list is thoughtfully balanced between detoxifying clays, soothing botanicals and barrier supporting additives though acne-prone users should keep the fatty acids on their radar.
What I liked/didn’t like
After two weeks of daily use these are the points that stood out most.
What works well:
- Two-in-one format lets you switch between a speedy cleanse and a one minute clay mask without extra products
- Kaolin, bentonite and mugwort noticeably calm mild redness and keep midday shine in check
- Amino acid surfactant cleanses thoroughly yet leaves skin feeling soft rather than stripped
What to consider:
- Oil control tapers off by late afternoon so very oily skin may still need blotting or a mattifying toner
- Essential oils could irritate highly reactive complexions or those avoiding them during pregnancy
- Fatty acids carry a moderate comedogenic rating which might not suit acne-prone users if used twice daily
My final thoughts
A good wash off mask should pull its weight fast, leave skin balanced and rinse without drama. Missha’s Artemisia Pack Foam Cleanser ticks the speed and comfort boxes, makes short work of sunscreen film and offers a pleasant herbal calm, but its oil control is a daytime fix rather than an all day solution and the faint dryness I saw after a fortnight keeps me from calling it a universal crowd pleaser. For sensitive or combination skin that flares pink yet dislikes long masking sessions I would still say it is worth trying, especially if you enjoy aromatherapeutic rituals. Very oily or breakout prone complexions may want something with longer lasting sebum management or fewer fatty acids.
On my personal scale it lands at a respectable 7/10. I will keep it in rotation as a quick morning cleanse on humid days or a one minute reset before evening plans, but I would not replace my dedicated clay mask with it. Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, if that friend values a gentle multitasker and knows their skin can tolerate essential oils, otherwise I would steer them toward a specialist formula.
If mugwort magic sounds appealing yet you need different strengths, a few tried and tested alternatives come to mind. Deascal’s Pink Clay Glow Mask is an excellent allrounder that brightens, refines pores and leaves skin ridiculously smooth for a very friendly price. Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque digs a little deeper on congestion days without over drying. Fresh’s Umbrian Clay Pore-Purifying Face Mask offers a similar swift application time but holds oil at bay longer through the afternoon. When I want something even more purifying, Innisfree’s Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask delivers noticeable mattifying power while still rinsing clean in minutes. Having used all four across the years I can vouch that each covers a different set of needs depending on how your skin is behaving that week.
Before you jump in a quick reality check: any cleanser or mask, no matter how hyped, is only as good as consistent use and a balanced routine allow. Please patch test on a small area first, especially if your skin is temperamental – sorry for sounding like an over protective parent. Results will fade if you stop using the product so keep expectations tied to regular, sensible application and your skin should stay on speaking terms with you.