Introduction
Bring Green might not have the global name recognition of some K beauty giants but within skincare circles it already enjoys something of a cult following. The Seoul based label has built its reputation on nature driven formulas that address real world skin issues without the usual marketing fluff, and its growing roster of bestsellers hints that the wider public is finally catching on.
Enter the Tea Tree Cica Pore Clay Pack Strong, a product title so lengthy it almost needs its own passport stamp. Behind that mouthful is a 2 in 1 clay mask that promises to deep cleanse, whisk away dead skin with red bean granules and leave pores looking politely minimized. Tea tree and centella are on soothing duty while peppermint provides the cool down, all wrapped in claims of clinically proven impurity lifting powers.
I spent a solid two weeks putting this mask through its paces to see if the hype matches reality and, more importantly, whether it deserves a spot in your routine and your budget.
What is Tea Tree Cica Pore Clay Pack Strong?
This product is a wash off mask, meaning it sits on the skin for a set time then gets rinsed away rather than absorbed like a leave on cream or serum. Wash off masks are popular for delivering a concentrated hit of active ingredients in a short window and for giving immediate, if temporary, textural benefits.
Formulated around kaolin and bentonite clays, the mask functions as a two in one treatment: it draws out excess oil and surface debris while the added red bean powder provides gentle manual exfoliation when you rinse. Tea tree extract appears in several forms throughout the ingredient list, working alongside centella asiatica to calm potential irritation. Peppermint oil adds a brief cooling sensation. The brand also points to clinical data suggesting the formula helps reduce the look of enlarged pores once impurities are removed.
Application is straightforward. You smooth an even layer over clean skin, avoid the eye and lip areas, wait ten to twenty minutes then rinse with lukewarm water. The goal is a cleaner canvas, improved skin texture and less noticeable pores without leaving the complexion feeling stripped.
Did it work?
In the name of scientific accuracy I benched my regular wash off mask for three days before starting this test run, which felt very lab coat of me considering I was just standing in my bathroom. Fourteen days seemed like a fair window to judge results so I committed to using the clay pack every third evening, totaling five full applications.
The first session was all tingly freshness thanks to the peppermint. The mask spread smoothly, set within ten minutes and rinsed off without drama. Immediate payoff came as that classic post clay tightness balanced by a surprising lack of redness. My forehead looked a touch less shiny and the usual bumpiness around my nose felt slightly polished from the red bean bits.
By the third use I noticed a pattern: surface oil levels stayed moderate for about a day and a half after each treatment, which is pretty respectable for my combination skin. Pores on my cheeks did seem marginally softer around the edges though I would not call the change dramatic. What impressed me more was the absence of irritation. Tea tree can occasionally stage a rebellion on my skin but the centella clearly kept things civil.
As the two week mark approached the exfoliating element proved gentle enough that I never experienced flaking yet still saw smoother foundation application. On the flip side, areas prone to dehydration felt a little parched by the following morning so I had to up my hydrating toner. The promised cooling sensation also started to feel less refreshing and more gimmicky once the novelty wore off.
So did it live up to its claims? Mostly. It does a commendable job at lifting gunk, softening rough patches and giving pores a brief optical blur. Long term pore size overhaul, however, was not in the cards and the oil control, while decent, was not life changing. I will probably keep hunting for a clay mask that wows me enough to purchase again but if someone handed me this one I would happily use it to the last scoop.
Tea Tree Cica Pore Clay Pack Strong’s main ingredients explained
First up are the clays: kaolin and bentonite. Both are tried and true oil-absorbers that sit on the skin, sponge up excess sebum and bind to debris so it can be rinsed away. They are considered non-comedogenic, meaning they do not clog pores, and provide that instant matte finish many combination and oily skins crave.
The mask adds a mechanical polish in the form of vigna angularis (red bean) seed powder. The particles are small enough to avoid the dreaded micro-tear issue yet still give a satisfying buff as you massage the mask off. Used every few days it keeps flaky patches in check without tipping over into over-exfoliation territory.
Tea tree appears in extract, water, leaf and oil forms, giving the formula its signature herbal scent and mild antibacterial edge. While tea tree oil can be sensitizing in high doses the multiple, lower-strength inclusions here aim for efficacy without a stinging aftermath. Centella asiatica extract rides shotgun, delivering madecassoside and asiaticoside compounds that help soothe any irritation triggered by the clay draw-out. Together they balance purifying action with calm-down comfort.
Menta piperita (peppermint) oil provides the flash-cooling sensation. The tingle is short-lived yet refreshing, though those with very reactive skin might find essential oils a gamble. On the comedogenic front peppermint oil rates low, but its fragrance potential bears mentioning for ultra-sensitive users.
Hydration support comes from a trio of sodium hyaluronate, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid and betaine. These humectants pull water into the upper skin layers to mitigate the drying effect common to clay treatments. Ceramide NP and hydrogenated lecithin reinforce the lipid barrier so moisture hangs around once the mask is rinsed.
Denatured alcohol earns a cameo midway down the ingredient list. It gives the paste a lighter texture and faster drying time but can be mildly drying, so following with a hydrating toner or serum is smart. Coloring minerals such as chromium oxide green and iron oxides are present purely for that earthy sage hue and do not affect skin performance.
The recipe is free of animal-derived components so it is suitable for vegans and vegetarians, though the brand does not hold formal vegan certification. As for pregnancy safety, essential oils and certain botanical extracts always warrant a “check with your doctor first” disclaimer. When in doubt pause use until you have professional clearance.
No notably comedogenic ingredients pop out here; illite and the clays rank low, and the plant oils are light enough not to plug follicles under normal circumstances. Overall the INCI list skews toward gentle purifiers, mild exfoliants and barrier helpers, making this mask a balanced option for most skin types that can tolerate a bit of peppermint zest.
What I liked/didn’t like
After five rounds with the mask these are the straightforward pros and cons that stood out.
- What works well:**
- Spreads easily and sets evenly so application feels fuss free
- Red bean grains give a gentle polish that smooths rough areas without over-exfoliating
- Clays absorb excess oil for about a day and a half leaving skin noticeably clearer and makeup sitting more evenly
- Tea tree and centella combo keeps post-mask redness to a minimum which is not always the case with purifying formulas
- What to consider:**
- Cooling peppermint tingle loses its appeal after repeat use and may feel gimmicky
- Can leave drier zones feeling tight by the following morning so an extra hydrating step is wise
- Tea tree and essential oil content may not suit very reactive or fragrance sensitive skin types
My final thoughts
A good wash off mask should earn its keep by slotting neatly into the evenings when serums and moisturisers need a little assistance. Tea Tree Cica Pore Clay Pack Strong mostly does that: it purifies, leaves skin smoother and behaves well on combination complexions that wobble between shine and dehydration. After five uses over two weeks I am comfortable giving it a 7/10. The performance is solid but not earth shattering and I was left wishing the oil control effects stretched beyond the 36-hour window. Still, its respectable balance of clays, calming botanicals and humectants means I would recommend it to friends who want a reliable, low-drama clay option and are not sensitive to peppermint or tea tree.
This mask is best suited to normal to oily or combo skins that crave a tidy up without the post-clay sting. Very dry faces may find it a touch too absorbent unless paired with a hydrator and extremely reactive skins should tread carefully because of the essential oils. If you are chasing dramatic pore shrinkage or week-long matte cheeks this formula will feel polite rather than transformative. I have tested my fair share of muds and powders over the years and can say with confidence I gave this one a fair shake.
For readers who love a browsing session, a few alternatives I have also used and rate highly deserve mention. Deascal’s Pink Clay Glow Mask is an excellent all-rounder that manages to exfoliate, clarify, brighten and generally pep up any skin type while keeping the price pleasantly sensible. Should you prefer something with a heritage vibe, Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque offers stout Amazonian clay power without over stripping. Fans of French pharmacy efficiency might appreciate Caudalie’s Instant Detox Mask which marries clay with grape extracts for a quick reset, and if you like a K beauty angle with extra volcanic minerals Innisfree’s Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask brings a noticeably stronger sebum mop-up.
Before you slather anything new on your face remember the basics: patch test behind an ear or along the jaw and give it 24 hours (sorry for sounding like an over protective parent). Keep in mind that results from any wash off mask are temporary and require consistent use to maintain. Happy masking and may your pores remain on their best behaviour.