Introduction
Sungboon Editor might not yet occupy the same household-name status as some of its K-beauty contemporaries, yet the label has quietly built a reputation for formulas that lean into smart herbology and feather-light textures. Its latest launch, the intriguingly titled Yakcho Shot Pore Remodeling Mask, arrives with a mouthful of a name and an even bigger promise: firmer glassier skin courtesy of micro herb “shots” and three kinds of collagen.
The brand touts a cocktail of purslane, witch hazel and a fleet of hyaluronic acids meant to calm while a clay base vacuums out pore gunk. They also claim twelve-hour cooling, triple-phase micro herbs that sneak into pores and a seven-point pore improvement test that apparently wowed their lab coats in under two weeks.
Ever the skeptic yet hopeful, I slathered the mask on for a full fortnight of nightly trials to see whether these herbaceous boasts translate into real world results and whether this mask deserves a spot in a routine that has zero patience for overblown hype.
What is Yakcho Shot Pore Remodeling Mask?
At its core this is a wash off clay mask positioned in the pore treatment category, meaning it is designed to sit on skin for a short stretch, absorb excess oil and debris then rinse away to leave pores looking tighter and cleaner. Pore treatments appeal to anyone who deals with visible congestion or uneven texture because they deliver a deeper cleanse than a standard face wash while offering extras like calming agents or hydrating ingredients to offset potential dryness.
Sungboon Editor’s take hinges on a blend of mineral clays coupled with what the brand calls micro herb shots, essentially fine botanical powders small enough to nestle into pores where buildup tends to hide. The formula also carries three sizes of collagen plus a stack of five hyaluronic acid derivatives to keep the experience from feeling harsh. Witch hazel steps in for mild astringency and purslane offers an anti inflammatory angle so sensitive skin types are not left out.
To use, you smooth an even layer over freshly cleansed skin, give it ten to fifteen minutes to do its purging job then rinse with lukewarm water. Theoretically the combination of clay suction, micro herb infusion and collagen support should leave skin both clearer and a touch firmer after consistent use.
Did it work?
In the name of science I benched my usual pore treatment for three whole days before starting this trial, a gesture so rigorous it practically earns me an honorary lab coat. Fourteen days felt like a reasonable window to gauge whether these micro herb marvels would live up to their billing.
I applied a medium layer every evening after cleansing, giving it the full fifteen minutes on nights when I was patient and closer to ten when dinner was calling. The mask spread easily and set with a gentle cooling tingle that never tipped into sting territory. A quick spritz of tap water reactivated any bits that dried too fast, then it was off with a splash of lukewarm water.
Immediate payoff: skin felt velvety, a touch firmer at the cheeks and impressively soothed rather than tight. The usual post mask redness I get from traditional clays was noticeably muted, which I chalk up to the purslane and hyaluronic stack. By the third use I noticed less midday shine around the nose but pores still looked like their regular selves under direct bathroom lighting.
Halfway through the fortnight the texture gains plateaued. The mask continued to sweep away surface roughness and kept blackheads on my chin from turning into full fledged visitors but that seven point pore shrinkage promise remained ambitious. Oil regulation was the most consistent benefit; I could skip blotting papers until late afternoon and my foundation sat nicer along the T zone.
As the two weeks wrapped, results settled into the realm of “pleasant but not transformative”. My pores hadn’t tightened so much as they had stopped conspiring against me, which is a win yet not enough to dethrone the chemical exfoliant that usually does the heavy lifting. The formula never triggered irritation and the subtle post rinse glow is hard to dislike so I can see myself reaching for it before an event when I want a quick polish. Will it earn a permanent slot in my rotation? Probably not, though I would happily recommend it to anyone seeking a calming clay mask that plays kindly with sensitive skin.
Yakcho Shot Pore Remodeling Mask’s main ingredients explained
The first thing worth flagging is the dual-clay blend of kaolin and bentonite. Both clays are classics for soaking up excess sebum and loosening the grip of blackhead debris yet they do so without stripping if balanced with humectants. Here that balance comes via a small fleet of hyaluronic acid derivatives that range from standard sodium hyaluronate to fancier crosspolymer and acetylated versions. These differing molecular weights let water bind at multiple skin depths so the post-rinse feel stays cushiony rather than chalky.
Next up are the so-called micro herb shots, essentially finely milled powders of green tea, mugwort (artemisia), spirulina and houttuynia. They bring antioxidants along with mild anti inflammatory perks which likely explain the surprising lack of redness I noticed with repeated use. Purslane and witch hazel join this calming squad; purslane is rich in skin-loving omega-3s while witch hazel offers a low-grade astringent effect that tempers oil without the burn traditional alcohols can cause.
The collagen story is more complicated. Soluble collagen, hydrolyzed collagen and collagen amino acids sit in the middle of the ingredient list. They are too large to bolster deeper dermal collagen yet they excel as film-forming moisturizers that make skin feel temporarily plumper. Because collagen is almost always animal-derived, the mask will not qualify as vegan or vegetarian friendly.
Niacinamide sneaks in just after the preservative system and does a quiet bit of heavy lifting for barrier repair and tone evening. The formula also taps saccharomyces ferment filtrate for a dose of postbiotic goodness that can nudge overall radiance upward with regular use. A handful of plant extracts like chestnut bark and horsetail round out the mix, mainly as secondary antioxidants and soothing agents.
On the potentially tricky side, caprylic/capric triglyceride plus a few fatty alcohols (cetearyl, behenyl, arachidyl) carry a low to moderate comedogenic rating. That means they can clog pores in some acne-prone skins though the overall clay-heavy matrix usually counters that risk. As always patch testing is smarter than guessing.
No retinoids, strong acids or essential oils appear here which makes the formula relatively gentle for expecting mothers, yet pregnancy alters skin reactivity in unpredictable ways. It is safer to clear any new topical with a healthcare provider before slathering it on.
Preservative-wise the mask relies on 1,2-hexanediol and hydroxyacetophenone, two gentle broad-spectrum agents that rarely trigger sensitivity. Fragrance is absent so the earthy scent you detect is purely from the herb powders themselves.
In short the ingredient roster leans green and soothing with a practical mix of hydrators and pore purifiers though anyone avoiding animal products or concerned about mild comedogens should take that into account.
What I liked/didn’t like
After two weeks of steady use here is the straightforward rundown.
What works well:
- Gentle clay blend leaves skin clean and noticeably less oily without post-mask tightness
- Cooling feel and herb powders calm redness so sensitive and post-exfoliation skin stay comfortable
- Fragrance-free formula rinses off quickly and delivers a soft glow that makes makeup sit smoother
What to consider:
- Pore size looks slightly refined but not dramatically smaller even with consistent use
- Results plateau around the one-week mark making it more of a maintenance mask than a game changer
- Collagen is animal derived which may not suit vegan routines
My final thoughts
After two weeks of consistent evening use I can safely say Yakcho Shot Pore Remodeling Mask earns a respectable 7.5/10. It excels at tamping down midday shine and smoothing rough patches, does so without the tight after-feel most clay masks deliver and remains friendly to sensitive skin. If chronic blackheads or oil slicks are your main gripe this will feel like a gentle reset button. If you are chasing dramatic pore shrinkage or long-term firmness, you will probably want to keep a chemical exfoliant or retinoid in the wings. I would recommend it to friends with combination or reactive skin who want a calm, low-risk pore treatment they can slot in once or twice a week, but those already loyal to stronger actives may find it more of a pleasant extra than a must-have.
For readers weighing options, I have had solid results with a few other formulas that tackle enlarged pores from slightly different angles. Deascal Poreless Perfection Serum is an easy all-rounder: lightweight, reasonably priced and compatible with every skin type I have tested it on. If you prefer a quick sweep step, Paula’s Choice Pore-Reducing Toner marries niacinamide with antioxidants and keeps shine in check without stripping. Those craving a more intensive approach could look at StriVectin Super Shrink Pore Minimizing Serum which leans on peptides and gentle acids to refine texture over a month or so. Finally, Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-tight Toner offers a fruit acid tingle plus hydration for anyone who wants a brighter finish alongside tighter-looking pores. All four have been through my routine at length and each brings its own strengths depending on skin mood and tolerance.
Before signing off, a quick PSA: clay masks are generally low drama but every skin is unique, so please patch test any new product and give it at least a couple of weeks to show steady results (sorry for sounding like an over-protective parent). Remember the effects are maintenance-based rather than permanent, so plan on regular use if you want to keep that freshly clarified look.