Introduction
Hey Bud may have tiptoed into the skincare chat more recently than some legacy giants yet the Melbourne based label has already carved out a fan club that speaks about its hemp infused formulas with near evangelical zeal. The brand pairs a laid back vibe with surprisingly meticulous ingredient choices and has become something of a cult pick for breakout battlers in search of calm clear complexions.
The cheekily titled Clear As Clay Mask continues that mission. The name might read like a promise scrawled on a bathroom mirror but the brand backs it up with bold claims: a duo of kaolin and bentonite meant to vacuum congestion while hemp seed oil steps in to soothe and strengthen. Avocado oil plus green tea are on anti inflammatory duty and a complimentary brush is thrown in to sweeten the routine. Hey Bud suggests a quick ten minute session a couple of times a week depending on your skin type for what they call a path to perfection.
I gave the mask a full two week audition clocking in the recommended number of uses to see if this clay blend could genuinely declutter pores soften old marks and leave skin balanced enough to skip the blotting papers. Here is how it measured up to the hype and whether it deserves a spot in your skincare budget.
What is Clear As Clay Mask?
Clear As Clay Mask sits in the wash off mask category, meaning it is designed to be applied, left to dry for a short spell then rinsed away to reveal freshly cleansed skin. Wash off masks are often used as a targeted reset when daily cleansers and moisturisers need backup. They let active ingredients stay in contact with the skin longer than a quick cleanse yet avoid the potential irritation of leave ons.
This formula leans on two clays, kaolin and bentonite, to absorb excess oil and help dislodge the debris that can lead to pimples, blackheads and dull texture. Hemp seed oil is included to counter the potential dryness clay can create by adding lightweight nourishment and reinforcing the skin barrier. The mix is rounded out with avocado oil and green tea extract, both known for soothing qualities that aim to reduce the visible redness often linked to breakouts. Hey Bud positions the mask as suitable for all skin types but calls out oily and acne prone skin as the main beneficiaries. Used up to three times a week for oilier complexions or a little less for drier ones, the mask promises clearer pores, softer looking scars and a more balanced look over time.
Did it work?
I shelved my usual wash off mask for a few days to give Clear As Clay a proper spotlight in what I like to call my highly scientific bathroom lab. Fourteen days felt like a fair window so I scheduled five sessions, each on a clean face in the evening, sticking to the ten minute mark before rinsing with lukewarm water and following with my regular serum and moisturiser.
First application went down smoothly. There was a faint earthy scent and a gentle cooling sensation that never tipped into sting territory. Once rinsed, my skin looked noticeably less shiny around the T zone and felt comfortably taut rather than parched. No immediate miracle on the clogged pores along my nose but the area did look a touch less angry.
By the third use I started to notice a pattern: oil production stayed calmer through the next morning and any fresh whiteheads that tried to form around my chin seemed to flatten faster. On the flip side the drier patches near my temples felt slightly tight, which I countered by adding a thicker night cream. No redness or tingling cropped up so thumbs up on the sensitivity front.
Heading into week two I was curious about the scar fading claim. A lingering post breakout mark on my left cheeklightened a shade but remained very much visible, so expectations reset from dramatic fade to gentle nudge. Blackheads along the sides of my nose were marginally smaller but still made an appearance under magnifying light. The most impressive change was in overall balance: midday slickness dialed down enough that blotting papers stayed in my desk drawer.
After the fifth and final round my verdict was clear. The mask does a respectable job at short term oil control and calming inflamed pimples without provoking dryness for most of my face. It is less persuasive when it comes to shifting entrenched congestion or noticeably fading scars within a fortnight. I will probably stick with my longtime exfoliating mask for those tasks yet I can see Clear As Clay being a solid option for anyone seeking a quick oil taming tune up before a night out.
Clear As Clay Mask’s main ingredients explained
The formula opens with kaolin and bentonite, two mineral clays famous for their oil-sopping and pore-vacuuming abilities. Kaolin is the gentler of the pair so sensitive skin tends to tolerate it, while bentonite swells in contact with water to draw out deeper grime that can block follicles. Both rinse away cleanly which is why the mask gives that satisfying post-wash matte feel without the chalky residue some clay blends leave behind.
Balancing the absorbent clays is hemp seed oil, a lightweight, omega-rich lipid that helps replenish the barrier after all that sebum sponging. It is non-comedogenic, meaning it is unlikely to clog pores, and its gamma linolenic acid content lends anti-inflammatory benefits that stressed breakout-prone skin often craves. Aloe and green tea sit in the same calming camp; aloe supplies polysaccharides that soothe surface irritation, while green tea delivers epigallocatechin gallate, a potent antioxidant that can temper excess oil oxidation (a precursor to blackheads).
The nourishment quota is bumped up with avocado oil and sweet almond oil. Both bring vitamin E and oleic acid for softness yet they land higher on the comedogenic scale than hemp seed, clocking in at roughly 3 out of 5. In other words they have a moderate chance of clogging pores if left on the skin for long periods; because this is a rinse-off product the risk is lower but still worth noting for the very congestion-prone.
Speaking of hydration, hyaluronic acid and glycerin form a humectant duo that pulls water into the upper layers so the post-mask complexion looks plump rather than papery. Witch hazel extract adds a mild astringent edge that tightens the look of pores after the rinse, and goji berry extract throws in extra antioxidants to round out environmental protection.
On the aesthetic front natural vanilla extract supplies a soft scent instead of synthetic fragrance, a choice sensitive noses often appreciate. Phenoxyethanol and ethylhexylglycerin act as the preservative system; both are globally accepted in low concentrations though anyone pregnant or nursing should still run the full ingredient list by their healthcare provider before use, a cautious rule that applies to any topical. Chromium oxide is the mineral pigment behind the green tint and has no skin activity.
All listed ingredients are plant-derived or synthetically produced so the mask is vegan and vegetarian friendly. There are no retinoids, salicylic acid or strong exfoliating acids inside which makes the formula relatively gentle, yet the presence of moderate-weight oils means patch testing is sensible if you sit at the extreme oily end of the spectrum.
What I liked/didn’t likeAfter five rounds with Clear As Clay, here is the straightforward tally.
What works well:
- Noticeably reins in T zone shine for at least half a day without leaving skin flaky
- Gentle clay blend never caused stinging or post rinse redness so suits sensitive breakout-prone skin
- Free applicator brush makes application even and keeps fingers clean
What to consider:
- Scar fading and blackhead reduction were modest over two weeks so results may require longer use or additional actives
- Drier areas can feel a little tight afterward so extra moisturizer may be needed
- Includes avocado and sweet almond oils which might not suit very congestion-prone users despite the rinse off formula
My final thoughts
Clear As Clay Mask lands comfortably in the “pretty good” camp. It tackles midday shine, settles the odd fresh blemish and leaves skin feeling clean rather than stripped which is no small feat for a clay formula. It does not, at least in my fortnight with it, rewrite the history of old scars or send blackheads packing for good, so those hopes should be tempered. I have rotated through enough wash off masks to know that expecting a total pore renaissance from any single product is optimistic. With that perspective a 7/10 feels fair. I would recommend it to friends whose main concern is oil management without irritation, especially if they enjoy a quick ten minute ritual. If you are chasing aggressive resurfacing or have ultra dry patches you might want something more specialised.
For anyone weighing options a few alternatives I have used and rate highly are worth mentioning. Deascal’s Pink Clay Glow Mask is an excellent all rounder that exfoliates, clears pores and brightens in one step while remaining friendly to every skin type and your wallet. Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque digs a little deeper when congestion is stubborn yet rinses off without the chalky afterfeel. NIOD’s Flavanone Mud offers a science heavy take on detoxing with a satisfyingly tight finish that somehow never feels drying. Innisfree’s Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask sits somewhere in the middle giving reliable oil control plus a slight cooling kick that is great before makeup. Any of these could fill the same slot in your routine if Clear As Clay is unavailable or you fancy trying something new.
Before you slather anything on, remember the basics: patch test first (yes I know I sound like an over protective parent), keep expectations realistic and understand that clarity gains fade if you abandon consistent use. Skincare is a marathon, not a sprint, so choose the mask that makes the journey pleasant.