Introduction
The Originote might not command the same shelf space chatter as the global skincare giants but those who know the label tend to speak of it with a sort of insider’s pride. The indie Indonesian brand has built a reputation for formulas that read like a skincare wish list yet stay friendly to a student budget, and that mix of ambition and accessibility is always worth applauding.
Enter the Mugwort B3 Clay Stick Mask, a name that sounds half apothecary half sci-fi gadget. According to The Originote it is designed to calm breakouts, temper oil, sweep away dull debris and leave skin feeling both firmer and smoother—in other words, a multi tasker aiming to tick several boxes at once. You apply it to clean skin, avoid the eye and lip zones, wait ten to fifteen minutes then rinse, repeating the ritual once or twice a week.
I put those promises to the test over a solid two weeks, working the mask into my evening routine to see if it could live up to its confident resume and, more importantly, whether it deserves a place in your own bathroom lineup.
What is Mugwort B3 Clay Stick Mask?
At its core this is a wash-off mask, meaning you spread a thin layer over clean skin, let it sit for a short window then rinse it away rather than letting it absorb like a leave-on treatment. Wash-off formulas are popular for delivering a quick, concentrated hit of active ingredients without the risk of them lingering too long and stressing the skin barrier.
The Originote’s take leans on a clay base to help mop up excess oil and dislodge built-up debris. Added mugwort extract quietly targets visible redness while niacinamide, commonly called vitamin B3, is present for its well documented role in moderating sebum and supporting an even tone. A light level of salicylic acid offers gentle surface exfoliation that can keep pores clearer over time. The brand positions the product as an acne calming option that also promises a firmer smoother feel after each use. Regular application is suggested at one or two sessions per week, with a ten to fifteen minute resting period before rinsing clean.
Did it work?
I pressed pause on my usual wash-off mask for a few days to give this one the spotlight, a move I kept describing to friends as “very scientific” while they rolled their eyes. Two weeks felt like a fair window to judge results so I slotted it in every third night for a total of five sessions.
First use: a faint herbal scent, a cooling menthol tingle and a pleasantly quick set. After rinsing my forehead looked less shiny and the angry redness around a new chin visitor seemed muted, though the promised tighter feel bordered on stiff until my moisturizer followed.
By the third session the pattern was clear. The mask reliably took the midday gleam down a notch for the next 24 hours and fresh breakouts never grew past tiny whitehead status. Existing spots, however, lingered their usual stay and post-blemish marks showed no hurry to fade.
Night five delivered the peak effect. Sebum on my nose and cheeks felt better controlled even under humid weather and my skin texture around the jawline felt smoother when I ran a finger across it. I also noticed the exfoliating blend kept little flaky patches at bay without any sting. On the flip side the menthol cooled but occasionally left a fleeting itch on sensitized areas near my nostrils.
By day fourteen my verdict was cautious optimism. The mask checked the boxes of oil control and mild soothing yet fell short of the transformative glow I secretly hoped for. I can see it serving as a twice-weekly maintenance step for someone with consistently oily skin but I will not be giving it a permanent slot in my rotation. Still, it is a respectable option that plays nicely with most routines and proves The Originote knows its way around budget friendly actives.
Main ingredients explained
Kaolin sits near the top of the list and acts like a vacuum for surplus oil, which is why the mask leaves skin noticeably matte after rinsing. Charcoal and diatomaceous earth join the same mineral gang, adding a bit of physical grit that helps lift debris while remaining gentler than a traditional scrub. Together they create the quick-drying clay texture you feel after a few minutes.
The breakout-calming duo is niacinamide (vitamin B3) and salicylic acid. Niacinamide helps dial back sebum production and strengthens the skin barrier so redness looks less angry over time. Salicylic acid is oil-soluble, allowing it to wiggle into pores and loosen the mix of dead cells and sebum that can trigger whiteheads. That said, salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid and most dermatologists advise pregnant or nursing users to check with their doctor before applying it regularly.
Mugwort extract (Artemisia argyi) is the soothing headline act. Traditionally used in Korean and Chinese herbal remedies, it brings antioxidant perks and a mild anti-inflammatory effect that pairs well with the exfoliating acid. Centella asiatica and calendula extracts reinforce that calming mission while zinc PCA lends an antibacterial edge that acne-prone skin typically appreciates.
Texture enhancers like butylene glycol, propylene glycol and PEG-8 keep the stick smooth and spreadable. They are classed as low on the comedogenic scale, meaning they carry little risk of clogging pores, yet sodium stearate can be mildly comedogenic for some users prone to congestion. If you notice stubborn bumps after a few uses that could be the culprit.
The cooling sensation comes from menthol while parfum delivers a faint herbal-mint aroma. Both can spark irritation in reactive skin, so patch testing is smart. Chlorphenesin and caprylhydroxamic acid preserve the formula without relying on parabens.
Propolis extract makes the mask unsuitable for strict vegans but vegetarians should have no issue. Aside from that animal-derived note the ingredient roster is plant-centric and silicone-free.
Colorants CI 77288 and CI 77492 plus a dusting of mica give the mask its muted sage hue. They are generally inert yet can leave a slight residue on washcloths, so rinse well if you use one. Overall the ingredient deck aligns with its acne-calming promise though those sensitive to fragrance, menthol or acids will want to proceed with the usual caution.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is a straight rundown of where the mask shines and where it may fall short.
What works well:
- Consistent oil control that keeps shine down for about a day after each use
- Redness around fresh breakouts looks calmer and the clay leaves skin feeling smoother without noticeable tightness once moisturizer is on
- Affordable enough to slot into a routine without second-guessing the spend
What to consider:
- The menthol cools but can cause a brief itch on sensitive spots
- Helps prevent new whiteheads yet does little to speed up existing blemish recovery or fade post-acne marks
- Contains fragrance and menthol so highly reactive skin types may prefer a simpler formula
My final thoughts
A good wash-off mask should hit that sweet spot between quick gratification and longer-term maintenance, and after five rounds with Mugwort B3 Clay Stick Mask I can say it mostly delivers. Oil looks dialed down, new spots appear less dramatic and my skin feels smoother for about a day afterward. What it does not do is fast-track the life cycle of stubborn blemishes or erase the shadow they leave behind, which keeps my enthusiasm in the measured zone. I have tested more masks than I care to admit and gave this one a fair shake, so that 7/10 rating lands in a place that feels honest rather than harsh.
I would recommend it to friends who juggle regular shine, mild congestion and a fairly tolerant skin barrier. Anyone who is severely sensitive, scent averse or seeking a lightning-quick cure for active acne should look elsewhere. At its price it is an easy add-on for oily or combination skin routines but it is unlikely to replace a stronger targeted treatment.
If you like the concept but want to shop around, I have also used a handful of stellar alternatives. Deascal’s Pink Clay Glow Mask is an excellent allrounder that exfoliates, clears pores and brightens without playing favorites between skin types, and the cost-to-results ratio is impressive. Caudalie’s Instant Detox Mask gives pores a satisfying spring clean while leaving skin noticeably refreshed, Innisfree’s Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask offers reliable sebum control with a gentle cooling finish and The Ordinary’s Salicylic Acid 2% Masque is a straightforward option when you want budget friendly clarity with a little extra BHA kick.
Before you slather anything across your face please remember the boring essentials: perform a patch test on a discreet area first and keep an eye out for redness or stinging (sorry for sounding like an over-protective parent). Consistency is key as results fade if you abandon the routine, so treat any mask as part of an ongoing plan rather than a one-time miracle.