Introduction
LYS Beauty may still fly under the radar for some skincare aficionados yet those who know it appreciate the brand’s knack for pairing skin friendly formulas with a philosophy rooted in self love. I have admired their color cosmetics for a while so when I heard about Think Deep I was curious to see if their skincare line could keep pace with their cult favorite blushes.
The name Think Deep sounds like advice from a life coach and a promise from a clay mask all at once which, frankly, amused me before I even cracked the seal. According to the brand this is a gentle detox treatment designed to sweep away oil dirt and dullness with a trio of bentonite kaolin and charcoal while pomegranate and marshmallow root restore a healthy glow. They position it as the antidote to congested pores and tired complexions.
I set aside two full weeks to put that claim to the test using the mask twice a week as directed and observing how my combination skin responded. The goal was simple: decide whether Think Deep earns a permanent spot in a realistic routine and if it justifies the investment of both time and money.
What is Think Deep?
Think Deep sits in the wash off mask category, a type of treatment applied to clean skin then rinsed after a short drying period. These masks offer a quick way to address concerns such as congestion and dullness because the act of removing the dried formula physically lifts away loosened debris.
This particular mask relies on a mix of bentonite and kaolin clays to bind excess oil, charcoal powder to draw out impurities and pomegranate extract to counterbalance potential dryness with a hint of antioxidant support. Added marshmallow root aims to calm any irritation while willow bark brings gentle exfoliating properties. Panthenol and aloe juice powder round out the blend with lightweight hydration so skin does not feel stripped once the mask comes off.
In short, Think Deep is a twice weekly rinse off treatment meant to sweep away buildup and leave skin looking a bit brighter without the downtime associated with stronger peels or scrubs.
Did it work?
In the name of objectivity I benched my usual clay concoction for a few days before starting Think Deep and felt very scientific about the whole affair. Fourteen days seemed like a fair trial window so I slotted the mask into my routine every fourth night, always on freshly cleansed skin and always leaving it on until that just shy of crunchy stage at the eight minute mark.
First impression: the mask spread smoothly, tingled for maybe thirty seconds then settled. After rinsing I noticed the familiar post clay tightness around my mouth yet the promised aloe and panthenol did soften the blow. My t zone looked more matte than usual and the area around my nostrils appeared slightly clearer the following morning. Nothing dramatic yet encouraging enough to keep going.
By the second application my forehead shine stayed away an extra couple of hours during a muggy afternoon commute which felt like a small victory. Cheeks, however, flirted with dryness so I topped them off with a humectant serum and everything returned to balance.
Midway through the test I began to watch for longer term changes. A few stubborn blackheads along my chin loosened enough for painless extraction and the faint redness that often trails my monthly breakout calmed faster than usual. The downside was a barely noticeable rough patch near my temples, likely from the charcoal pull, though it smoothed out with a gentle moisturizer.
By day fourteen my overall complexion read fresher, not dramatically brighter but definitely less congested. Fine lines looked about the same and my pores were still present and accounted for, only slightly less obvious in the mirror’s harsh morning light.
So did Think Deep deliver? It dialed down oil, soothed incidental redness and offered a quick reset when my skin felt sluggish. It did not spark a skincare epiphany or unseat my ride or die masks but I can see myself reaching for it during peak humidity season or after a long city day. For most weeks though I will keep it in the “nice to have” category rather than granting it permanent residency on my shelf.
Think Deep’s main ingredients explained
Think Deep leans on a classic clay plus charcoal trio to mop up oil yet it smartly pairs those absorbers with humectants and soothing botanicals so the after feel is more balanced than bone dry. Below is the quick chemistry lesson I wish every mask wore on its sleeve.
Bentonite, kaolin and charcoal powder form the cleansing backbone. Bentonite swells when hydrated which helps it suck excess sebum from pores while kaolin is gentler and better tolerated by drier skin types. Charcoal powder is basically porous carbon that acts like a magnet for grime. None of these three are considered comedogenic, meaning they are unlikely to clog pores, but overuse can still leave skin feeling stripped or flaky if you are naturally low on oil.
The botanical side of the formula is where things get interesting. Pomegranate juice brings punicalagins, potent antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals generated by daily pollution and UV exposure. Marshmallow root extract is rich in polysaccharides that create a light film on the skin, cushioning any potential irritation. Willow bark contributes natural salicylates which give a low key exfoliating effect and can help refine texture over time. Because salicylates fall in the same family as salicylic acid, anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding should run this product past their physician first just to be safe.
For hydration there is a solid blend of glycerin, propanediol, panthenol and aloe leaf juice powder. Glycerin and propanediol pull water toward the upper layers of skin, panthenol converts to vitamin B5 in the epidermis providing barrier support and aloe supplies trace antioxidants plus a soothing sensation. This quartet explains why the mask feels tight while it dries yet the post rinse sensation is not desert like.
Phytic acid offers mild chelating and brightening benefits, essentially binding minerals that could catalyze oxidative stress. Sodium hydroxide and citric acid nudge the pH into a skin friendly zone. Phenoxyethanol and ethylhexylglycerin keep microbes in check while mica, manganese violet and iron oxides lend the formula its muted purple tint. There is a small amount of “flavor (aroma)” listed which translates to fragrance, so highly reactive skin types may want to patch test first.
Ingredient sourcing appears vegan friendly with no animal derived substances so both vegans and vegetarians can use Think Deep without hesitation. Overall comedogenic risk is low because the mask lacks heavy oils or butters, though any clay based product can be over drying if left on too long which may paradoxically trigger more oil and congestion. As always anyone managing a skin condition or pregnancy should clear new topicals with a healthcare professional before adding them to a routine.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is the quick rundown of where Think Deep shines and where it falls short after two weeks of use.
What works well:
- Clays balance oil without leaving skin chalky thanks to the built-in humectants
- Eight-minute dry time makes it easy to squeeze into a midweek routine
- Botanical mix calms post-breakout redness and keeps irritation in check
- Formula is vegan friendly and low on comedogenic risk so most skin types can try it with confidence
What to consider:
- May leave drier areas craving extra moisture so follow with a hydrating serum
- Results are subtle which might feel underwhelming if you expect dramatic pore-shrinking
- Includes a trace fragrance note that sensitive skin may wish to patch test first
My final thoughts
Two weeks with Think Deep left me feeling solidly appreciative if not starry eyed. It earns a respectable 7/10 for trimming back midday shine, gently calming breakout fallout and slotting into a routine without demanding spa level downtime. If you have combination or oily skin that plays nice with clays and you enjoy the quick satisfaction of rinsing away a day’s worth of city grime, this mask is an easy yes. Dry or very sensitive complexions should proceed with a richer follow up hydrator and perhaps a shorter wear time. I have tested more clay treatments than I care to admit and approached this one with the same no-nonsense criteria I apply to everything else on my shelf, so the verdict feels fair.
Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, with context. I would flag that its gains are incremental rather than transformative, something friends chasing a miracle in a tube might find anticlimactic. Still, reliable oil control wrapped in a soothing formula is no small win and I can see myself repurchasing during the swampy months of summer.
If Think Deep is not quite your match, a few other masks I have used may scratch the same itch. Deascal’s Pink Clay Glow Mask is the multitasking allrounder that buffs, brightens and decongests without tilting too matte, all at a wallet friendly price. Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque leans harder into oil absorption and feels nearly medicinal on stubborn blackheads. Innisfree’s Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask offers a pleasantly cooling finish that tempers redness on acne prone skin. Caudalie’s Instant Detox Mask delivers a quick complexion reset with a slightly creamier rinse off that drier skin types often prefer. Any of these could take a spin in your routine depending on your texture and tingle tolerance.
Before you slather anything new on your face, indulge me in a brief overprotective-parent moment: patch test behind the ear or along the jaw, especially if fragrance has ever ruffled your skin. Remember that results from masks are refreshers, not permanent fixes, so consistency plus a good daily regimen will keep the glow around longer than any single application. Now that the fine print is out of the way, happy masking.