Introduction
Pyunkang Yul might not have the same household recognition as the French luxury giants, yet within skincare circles it carries a reputation for clean formulas and refreshingly pragmatic pricing. The brand’s apothecary roots show in its ingredient first philosophy, and that alone earns it a respectful nod.
Then comes the product with the marathon name: Calming Pore Clear Wash Off Pack. It promises to do exactly what it says on the tin… well, pack: soothe, purge and polish. According to Pyunkang Yul, a hefty 11,000 ppm of mugwort and mung bean goes to work dislodging debris while centella, tea tree and lonicera japonica step in to calm and hydrate. A gentle cocktail of AHA and PHA adds an exfoliating nudge, and the whole thing is touted as suitable for practically every skin type from desert dry to breakout prone.
I spent a full two weeks applying the mask as directed, letting it sit for the recommended quarter hour before rinsing, to see whether it genuinely clears pores, tames irritation and justifies the swipe of a credit card. Here is how it fared.
What is calming pore clear wash off pack?
Calming Pore Clear Wash Off Pack is a clay based face mask that is meant to be applied for 10 to 15 minutes then removed with lukewarm water. In skincare terms it belongs to the wash off mask category: short term treatments that sit on the skin long enough for active ingredients to work yet are rinsed before they can provoke dryness or congestion. This makes them a middle ground between a daily cleanser and an overnight mask, useful when skin needs a deeper clean without a long commitment.
The formula combines kaolin and three additional mineral clays with 11,000 ppm of mugwort and mung bean extracts. Together these ingredients bind surface oil and debris to help clear the look of clogged pores. A low strength pairing of AHA and PHA offers mild chemical exfoliation while centella, tea tree and lonicera japonica extracts aim to reduce visible redness and supply light hydration. The brand positions the mask as compatible with dry, combination and acne prone skin which suggests it should feel gentle enough for regular use yet still provide a noticeable refresh.
Did it work?
In a move that felt very scientific indeed I benched my usual clay mask three days before starting the trial so nothing else could muddy the results. I used the Calming Pore Clear Wash Off Pack every other evening for a total of seven sessions which I reckon is plenty of time to spot patterns without tipping skin into over-exfoliated territory.
Session one delivered that classic clay coolness followed by a tightness that vanished once I rinsed. My cheeks looked a touch calmer than usual and the T-zone felt matte but not parched. No fireworks yet but no irritation either which was a promising start.
By the third application subtle changes emerged. The small cluster of whiteheads along my jaw seemed to deflate overnight and the usual mid-afternoon shine on my nose was less aggressive. I did notice a faint tingle around my nostrils each time I used the mask which I suspect comes from the mild acids though it never escalated to stinging.
Halfway through the fortnight my skin hit a plateau. Pores on my inner cheeks looked a shade cleaner but not dramatically so and blackheads remained largely unmoved. On the bright side any redness from a rogue hormonal breakout died down faster than it usually does and I credit the centella and tea tree for that anti-grump effect.
As the two weeks wrapped my overall impression settled into pleasant but not game-changing territory. Texture felt a bit smoother and makeup went on with fewer dry flakes yet the deep cleanse promise only partially materialised. Oil control lasted maybe six hours on a humid day before shine crept back and stubborn congestion along my nose kept its real estate. I never experienced dryness or peeling which speaks to the gentle balance Pyunkang Yul aimed for.
So did it work? Partially. It soothed and modestly refined without upsetting my skin however it stopped short of the spa-facial clarity I had hoped for. I would happily finish the jar on stressful skin days yet I will not be reserving permanent shelf space for it. Still, if your priorities lean more calming than pore vacuuming this mask could earn an occasional cameo in your routine.
Main ingredients explained
Mugwort extract sits at the heart of the mask and deserves the first shout-out. Rich in chlorophyll and flavonoids, this herb has long been used in Korean remedies to calm heat and itch. On skin it acts as an anti-inflammatory buffer that takes the edge off redness while delivering a light antioxidant boost. At the claimed 11,000 ppm you get a meaningful dose without the earthy scent some mugwort products carry.
Mung bean powder teams up with four mineral clays – kaolin, bentonite, montmorillonite and illite – to give the mask its pore-clearing credentials. Mung bean naturally contains saponins which help break down surface oil and pollutants. The clays then absorb that loosened gunk like tiny sponges leaving skin feeling fresher but not stripped. Because the blend leans on the gentler kaolin rather than straight bentonite, the after-rinse tightness is minimal.
Exfoliation comes from a low pH trio: citric acid (an AHA), gluconolactone (a PHA) and willow bark extract, a natural source of salicylates. Together they soften dead cells so they rinse away more easily and they do it at a strength mild enough for sensitive users. If you are pregnant or nursing speak to your doctor before using any product with salicylates or hydroxy acids, no matter how gentle they claim to be.
Centella asiatica and its isolated compounds – asiaticoside, madecassoside and their corresponding acids – lend the soothing reputation Pyunkang Yul is known for. These molecules nudge collagen production, ease irritation and help speed up the life cycle of the occasional blemish. Lonicera japonica flower and tea tree leaf extracts add an extra antimicrobial push that can keep new breakouts from gaining momentum.
Hydration is handled by a five-fold hyaluronic acid complex that ranges from high to low molecular weights, plus glycerin and sodium glutamate. This layered approach ensures water is both drawn to the surface and held there long enough for skin to feel genuinely plumped after rinsing.
The formula is free of added fragrance and uses mild preservatives so it should agree with reactive complexions. It also appears free of animal-derived ingredients which makes it suitable for vegans and vegetarians, though certification is not stated. On the flip side a few emollients such as ethylhexyl palmitate and cetyl ethylhexanoate carry moderate comedogenic ratings. That means they can clog pores in people who are extremely prone to congestion, so patch testing is wise before you dive into full-face use.
Overall the ingredient list balances cleansing, calming and hydrating functions with impressive restraint. There is enough chemistry to justify the claims yet nothing feels over-engineered which keeps the mask solidly in the gentle-but-effective camp.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is the straightforward rundown after seven uses.
What works well:
- Noticeably calms post-breakout redness within hours of rinsing
- Soft clay mix leaves skin matte yet comfortable, avoiding the parched feel many masks cause
- Gentle AHA and PHA duo smooths rough patches so foundation glides on more evenly
- Free of added fragrance which can be a relief for sensitive skin
What to consider:
- Pore congestion improves only slightly, especially around stubborn blackhead zones
- Sebum control tapers off by the end of a workday if your T zone runs oily
- Light tingling around the nostrils may occur on reactive skin
My final thoughts
After seven steady sessions Calming Pore Clear Wash Off Pack lands in the respectable middle ground. It soothes like a cool compress and offers a gentle polish yet it never fully tackles deep seated congestion or all day oil if those are your biggest grievances. That places it in the “good but not life changing” category: worth having around for reactive moments or low key maintenance but unlikely to replace a heavy hitting clarifier. I scored it a solid 7/10 and would recommend it to friends whose priorities lean calming and comfort over dramatic pore extraction.
A quick word on fit. Skin that flares up easily or flips between dry cheeks and an oily T zone will probably enjoy the balanced approach. Very oily or blackhead prone types may crave something more assertive while those dealing with severe dehydration might still reach for a richer hydrating mask afterward. My own combination complexion sat happily in the middle ground so I feel confident the trial was fair.
If you decide the results sound a touch too subtle there are other wash off options that have impressed me over the years. Pink Clay Glow Mask by Deascal is the dependable allrounder: it brightens, decongests and leaves skin unexpectedly supple for the price. For a deeper clean Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask by Innisfree grips stubborn oil without stripping. Caudalie’s Instant Detox Mask resets a dull complexion in under ten minutes and smells pleasantly spa like. Finally NIOD’s Flavanone Mud brings a techy edge with layered acids that refine texture when you need a more intensive reboot. All four have earned repeat spots in my rotation so consider them worthy alternatives.
Before you slather anything new on your face remember the basics. Patch test along the jaw or behind the ear, monitor for 24 hours and build up frequency slowly if you are new to acids. Results stick only as long as you keep up consistent use which I know you already know but I have to say it anyway. Sorry for sounding like an over protective parent yet your skin will thank you.