G.M. Collin has long enjoyed a solid reputation among facialists and spa insiders yet somehow still sneaks under many beauty lovers’ radars. The Canadian brand excels at science-backed formulas that feel more luxurious than lab coat, and its latest launch aims to keep that streak alive.
Enter Pure Mask. The name sounds like it walked straight out of a superhero origin story, promising a virtuous cleanse and maybe a little salvation on the side. According to the brand this clay-and-super-berry concoction mops up excess oil without stripping, soothes redness and claims to shrink the look of pores by a headline-grabbing 82 percent on a small test group. On paper it reads like the skincare equivalent of a detox smoothie with performance stats.
Curiosity properly piqued I swapped out my usual wash-off treatment for Pure Mask twice a week over a full two-week stretch to see whether those claims hold water and if the experience justifies the spend.
What is Pure Mask?
Pure Mask is a wash-off facial treatment that sits somewhere between a weekly deep cleanse and an antioxidant boost. Wash-off masks work by depositing active ingredients onto the skin for a short window, then being rinsed away so there is less risk of lingering residue that could clog pores or cause irritation. In this case the formula relies on a blend of clay, salicylic acid and berry-derived antioxidants. The clay targets excess sebum while salicylic acid helps sweep away dead surface cells. Plant extracts such as rose myrtle, nasturtium and boldo contribute antibacterial and soothing properties. The brand positions it as suitable for most skin types that deal with congestion or visible redness, with a suggested use of two 15-to-20-minute sessions per week.
Did it work?
In the name of hard-hitting skincare journalism I benched my usual wash-off mask for a few days before starting Pure Mask, which felt very scientific even if the only lab coat involved was my bathroom robe. Four sessions over 14 days struck me as a decent trial window, so I slathered on a generous layer every third or fourth night, letting it sit for the full 20 minutes while I scrolled questionable life hacks.
The first application delivered a faint, salicylic-acid tingle but no stinging. The texture stayed pliable rather than cracking into a desert crust, and rinsing revealed a complexion that looked noticeably less shiny yet not the least bit parched. My midday forehead glare was dialed down and the redness hugging my nostrils looked softer.
By the end of week one the pattern held: each use left the T-zone matte for nearly a full day, pores around my nose appeared slightly blurred and my cheeks felt comfortable instead of tight. A couple of lurking whiteheads surfaced and vanished faster than usual, which I chalk up to the combo of clay and acid doing its thing.
Week two, however, exposed the ceiling of its powers. Improvement plateaued; the much-touted pore shrinkage was present but subtle, closer to a polite 10 percent than the advertised 82. Oil control still impressed yet never stretched past 24 hours, and while my skin tone looked calmer overall it did not cross into “I woke up like this” territory. On the plus side I experienced zero irritation and the berry-infused formula kept post-mask tightness at bay, something many clay treatments fail to manage.
So did it deliver? Partly. Pure Mask lived up to its promise of absorbing excess oil without dryness and took the edge off both redness and congestion, just not to the headline degree. I enjoyed the quick fix but the results were not game-changing enough to dethrone my current favorites. I would keep a tube on standby for pre-event polishing, though, because nothing beats a reliably smooth canvas when the stakes are high.
Pure Mask’s main ingredients explained
At the heart of Pure Mask sits a duo of kaolin and bentonite clays that act like a vacuum for surface oil yet leave enough moisture behind to avoid that pruney post-mask feel. Both clays are considered non-comedogenic, meaning they will not clog pores, and they create the smooth, velvety slip that makes application easy rather than chalky.
Next up is salicylic acid, the well loved beta hydroxy acid that excels at diving into pores and loosening the dead cells and excess sebum responsible for blackheads. The concentration here feels gentle enough for twice-weekly use but remember that salicylic acid can be sensitizing during pregnancy, so anyone expecting or trying to conceive should check with a healthcare professional before slathering it on.
The antioxidant story comes from rose myrtle and a cocktail of super berries rich in polyphenols. These plant extracts help neutralize free radicals generated by pollution or UV exposure while offering mild antibacterial support. That antibacterial edge gets an extra push from boldo leaf and nasturtium flower extracts, both traditional botanicals known for calming angry complexions.
Scanning the INCI list I did not spot any animal-derived ingredients or common red-flag comedogens like coconut oil or isopropyl myristate, so vegans and vegetarians can breathe easy. Fragrance is present but sits low on the list and did not irritate my test-drive skin. If you are extremely scent-sensitive, patch testing is still smart.
One final callout: the formula relies on a preservative system that includes phenoxyethanol, a widely used option that can cause mild irritation in very reactive skin types. Again, a quick patch test behind the ear or on the inner arm will let you know whether your skin is cool with it before committing to a full face.
What I liked/didn’t like
After four sessions a few clear pros and cons emerged.
What works well:
- Velvety clay base lifts oil without leaving skin tight so even drier areas stay comfortable
- Salicylic acid and antibacterial botanicals help calming mild breakouts and redness in a single use
- Leaves a soft focus finish that makes makeup sit better for the next day
- Formula is vegan friendly and free of obvious pore cloggers
What to consider:
- Pore blurring is moderate rather than the dramatic figure in the brand’s claim
- Oil control lasts about 24 hours so maintenance masking is required
- Price sits at the higher end of wash off masks which may give budget minded users pause
My final thoughts
After four rounds with Pure Mask I can comfortably park it in the perfectly good but not life altering lane of my wash off lineup. Its talent for hoovering up shine without leaving my cheeks crispy is worth applauding, and if you battle mild congestion or blotchiness the formula earns its keep. The claimed 82 percent pore vanishing act felt more like a courteous polite wave from across the room, not a full on disappearance, so set expectations accordingly. Still, a 7/10 is nothing to sniff at and yes, I would recommend it to a friend whose skin tone lives in that combination category and who prefers a twice weekly reset rather than an everyday leave on acid.
If your wish list includes brighter, clearer skin and you are open to other options, a few masks have impressed me just as much if not more during previous test drives. Deascal’s Pink Clay Glow Mask is an excellent allrounder that cleanses, exfoliates and perks up dullness in one fell swoop while staying friendly to every skin type and wallet. For deeper vacuum like cleansing Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque remains a classic that rarely disappoints. Caudalie’s Instant Detox Mask delivers speedy decongestion with a vineyard inspired antioxidant kick, while Innisfree’s Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask brings reliable oil control in a budget conscious format.
Finding the right wash off treatment is a bit of a matchmaking game and I feel Pure Mask got a fair audition beside dozens of similar formulas I have tried over the years. It stands out for comfort and gentle refinement rather than headline grabbing transformation which, depending on your goals, could be exactly what the skincare doctor ordered.
Before you slather on anything new please do a quick patch test behind the ear or on the inner arm (sorry for sounding like an over protective parent). Remember that any glow up from a mask is temporary and requires consistent use to maintain so keep the expectations realistic and the routine enjoyable.