Introduction
Formula 10.0.6 might not dominate every bathroom shelf but skincare enthusiasts know the century-old label has a knack for practical formulas that rarely break the bank. I have long appreciated its no-nonsense approach and cheeky product names, which brings me to the new Take Back Control Oil-Controlling Mud Mask. The name reads like a pep talk attached to a cleanser and, honestly, I am here for that.
In typical Formula 10.0.6 fashion the brand promises a creamy clay that detoxes skin, clears congestion and reins in shine while a sprinkle of charcoal beads and a hug of cacao butter keep things balanced. They suggest smoothing on a thin layer for 10 to 15 minutes one to three times a week while bracing for a mild tingle.
I gave the mask a full two-week spin across multiple uses to see whether it delivers maximum clean, minimum shine and any surprises in between. Let’s see if this little pep talk in a tube earns a spot in your routine or stays on the wish-I-hadn’t list.
What is Take Back Control Oil-Controlling Mud Mask?
This product is a wash-off mask, meaning you smooth it over clean skin, let it sit for a short stretch then rinse it away completely. Unlike leave-on creams or overnight treatments, a wash-off mask works in a concentrated burst, delivering its benefits before water takes it down the drain. That makes it a low-commitment step for anyone wanting a deeper clean without sleeping in product.
Take Back Control pairs classic oil-soaking clays with small charcoal beads that add an extra kick of absorbency. The formula also includes cacao butter to keep the clay from feeling overly drying. The brand positions it for people dealing with excess shine or clogged pores who still want a soft finish afterward rather than that too-tight post-mask sensation.
Usage is straightforward: apply a thin layer to dry skin, wait 10 to 15 minutes while a mild tingle may occur, then rinse with warm water. The label suggests one to three sessions a week which fits the typical rhythm for clay-based masks that target oil control.
Did it work?
In an act of great scientific rigor I benched my usual wash off mask for three days before diving into this one, convincing myself the hiatus would give me a fresh baseline. Fourteen days and five applications felt like enough data points to get a clear read on performance without tipping into overuse territory.
Application one set the tone: a cooling clay hug followed by a faint tingle that peaked at the five minute mark and then settled. Rinsing revealed skin that looked matte yet not chalky which impressed me. Unfortunately the effect was fleeting. By mid afternoon my T zone resumed its subtle shine, though pores on my nose looked a touch less obvious.
Sessions two and three fell on alternating days the first week. I noticed the charcoal beads broke down easily as I massaged the mask on, and while there was no gritty drag I still caught myself wondering if they were doing much. Post rinse my skin felt balanced with no dry patches cropping up overnight. That said breakout activity around my chin held steady instead of retreating so the decongestion claim only half landed.
Week two mirrored the first: two more uses, same 10 minute dry time. I liked how the cacao butter kept the clay from cracking but I also spotted a stubborn blackhead brigade along my cheeks that looked identical to day one. Sebum levels did trend slightly lower by week’s end yet the improvement was incremental rather than game changing.
So did it deliver maximum clean and minimum shine? Partially. It calmed surface oil for a few hours and left my skin comfortably soft which earns it points, but it did not unseat my go to clarifying mask or inspire me to reshuffle my shelf. I would recommend it to someone needing a gentle mid week oil check yet I will probably save my repurchase budget for something that tackles congestion with a bit more muscle.
Main ingredients explained
The formula leans on a trio of classic oil absorbers: kaolin, bentonite and finely milled charcoal powder. Together they act like blotting paper for sebum, with charcoal adding some gentle detox flair as the mask dries. To keep skin from feeling parched the clays are cushioned by theobroma cacao (cocoa) butter. That buttery emollient leaves a soft finish yet it is worth noting that cocoa butter sits high on most comedogenic charts, meaning it can clog pores for some acne-prone users. Caprylic/capric triglyceride, cetyl alcohol and cetearyl alcohol are present too; each scores low to moderate for comedogenicity so patch testing is smart if you are sensitive.
Oil control claims come from more than just clay. Enantia chlorantha bark extract and its partner molecule oleanolic acid have been shown in small studies to curb excess sebum over time. Think of them as a slow burn mattifier rather than an immediate degreaser. A dash of tea tree leaf oil brings its well loved antibacterial edge but also the potential for scent driven irritation in reactive skin.
Skin comfort is reinforced with glycerin, caprylic/capric triglyceride and tocopherol (vitamin E) which all support the barrier while water evaporates from the mask. The texture stays creamy thanks to a standard mix of stearic acid, glyceryl stearate SE and xanthan gum while phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol keep microbes out. You will also find fragrance and iron oxides, the former providing that spa-like smell and the latter tinting the formula so be cautious if you prefer fragrance free routines.
There are no animal derived ingredients listed so the mask appears suitable for vegans and vegetarians, although strict users may want vendor confirmation on glycerin sourcing. The ingredient deck skips retinoids and salicylic acid but does include essential oil and fragrance, so anyone pregnant or nursing should still seek physician approval before use. Finally, if you are following a strictly minimal routine remember that wash off masks rinse down the drain quickly which limits exposure time but also means any long term actives need consistent, repeated use to show results.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is the quick hit list after five uses.
What works well:
- Creamy texture spreads easily and rinses clean with no chalky residue
- Delivers a temporary matte finish that lasts several hours without the telltale post-mask tightness
- Cacao butter leaves skin soft so the clays never feel stripping
- Mild tingle offers a nice sense of activity yet stayed comfortable throughout my tests
What to consider:
- Oil control fades by mid afternoon so very oily skin may want something stronger
- Blackhead and congestion reduction is modest which could disappoint if deeper detox is the goal
- Includes fragrance and cocoa butter which may not suit sensitive or acne prone users
My final thoughts
After five rendezvous with Take Back Control I can comfortably file it under “solid but not spectacular.” It left my skin comfortably matte for a morning and never once tugged the moisture rug from under my barrier, yet it did not sweep away congestion with the gusto I have seen from other clay-based formulas. I rate it 7/10: respectable performance, pleasant experience, mild drawbacks. I would recommend it to combination or normal skin types that battle mid level shine and want a quick fuss free reset. If your pores tend to host a weekly block party or if you need oil suppression that lasts past lunch you might find yourself wishing for more horsepower.
For readers who crave comparative shopping, I have field tested a fair share of wash off masks and a few stand out as worthy alternatives. Deascal’s Pink Clay Glow Mask is my current all rounder; it multitasks with gentle exfoliation, brightening pay-off and surprisingly broad skin type compatibility while keeping the price friendly. Innisfree’s Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask tightens the reins on oil longer than most and feels almost cooling on contact which acne prone skin often appreciates. Caudalie’s Instant Detox Mask earns its name by clearing stubborn blackheads in one sitting although drier skin should follow with a hearty moisturizer. Finally The Ordinary’s Salicylic Acid 2% Masque combines chemical and physical action to coax out congestion without wallet whiplash. Each brings a slightly different angle so matching your particular skin priorities is key.
Whichever route you choose remember a good wash off mask is only as effective as the routine that surrounds it. Cleanse thoroughly first, moisturize after and keep usage consistent. Please patch test before slathering (sorry for sounding like an over protective parent) and bear in mind that any matte moment is temporary so regular application is required to maintain results.