Introduction
AXIS-Y has quietly secured a loyal following among skincare devotees who prize gentle yet effective formulations, and it is about time the rest of us took notice. The Seoul-based label leans on climate inspired research and thoughtfully sourced botanicals, setting high expectations before a single dollop touches the skin.
Enter the Mugwort Pore Clarifying Wash Off Pack, a name so literal it feels like a checklist. Mugwort? Check. Pore clarifying? Check. A wash off pack? You guessed it. The straightforward title hints at a no-nonsense formula that claims to soothe irritation, sweep away dead cells and leave a fresher, brighter face staring back from the mirror.
AXIS-Y attributes these promises largely to a hefty 61% mugwort extract, backed by adzuki bean granules for gentle manual exfoliation plus a supporting cast of antioxidants and hydrators. In their words the mask is designed for anyone battling acne, blackheads or general dullness, essentially positioning it as a one-stop reset button for troubled skin.
I committed to a full two-week trial, using the mask every other evening to see whether those claims hold water and if the experience justifies its place in an already crowded bathroom cabinet.
What is Mugwort Pore Clarifying Wash Off Pack?
At its core this product is a wash off mask, meaning it sits on the skin for a set time then gets rinsed away rather than absorbed like a cream or left overnight like a sleeping pack. Wash off masks are popular for giving skin an intensive but time limited treatment, delivering targeted ingredients in a thicker base that can draw out surface debris without leaving residue once removed.
Axis-Y built this formula around 61 percent mugwort extract, a botanical long used in Korean skincare for its reported antibacterial and anti inflammatory properties. The idea is that mugwort helps calm irritation while adzuki bean powder adds gentle physical exfoliation to dislodge dead cells that can dull the complexion or clog pores. Supporting plant extracts such as artichoke leaf, licorice root and green tea supply antioxidants, whereas kaolin and bentonite clays aim to absorb excess oil during the 15-minute drying period. Humectants like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate are included so skin is not left feeling stripped once everything is rinsed away.
The brand positions the mask for anyone dealing with breakouts, blackheads, enlarged pores or general lack of radiance. Application is straightforward: spread an even layer on clean dry skin, avoid the eye and lip area, let it harden for roughly a quarter hour then rinse with lukewarm water. That routine can be slotted into an evening regimen two or three times a week, acting as a refresh when daily cleansers and leave-on actives need an assist.
Did it work?
In the name of scientific rigor I put my longtime clay mask on a brief sabbatical, giving this mugwort number exclusive rights to my face for 14 days. That felt like a fair window to catch any glow up or hidden pitfalls. I followed the brand’s schedule, smoothing on a medium layer every other evening after cleansing and patting my skin dry. A quick patch test behind my ear showed no drama so I went straight in.
First impression: there is a pleasant herbal scent and a cooling feel that kicks in almost immediately. During the initial three uses my cheeks tingled slightly but the sensation vanished before the 15-minute mark and left no redness. Rinsing took a bit of coaxing but once the last speck was gone my skin felt soft, not tight, and looked a shade brighter, especially around the nose where I usually battle dullness.
By the one-week point I started noticing a modest reduction in the congestion dotting my chin. Whiteheads surfaced faster which sounds bad but meant they cleared without the usual drawn-out inflammation. Blackheads on my nose remained visible yet less pronounced and easier to extract after the mask. Oil control was respectable; midday shine crept back later than usual though it never fully disappeared.
Week two told a similar story. The mask continued to smooth texture and kept irritation in check when a couple of stress pimples threatened an uprising. However it did not deliver the dramatic pore-tightening effect hinted at in the marketing copy. My pores looked cleaner but not necessarily smaller and the overall brightness plateaued rather than built with each application.
So did it live up to its promises? Largely yes on soothing and gentle exfoliation, partially on deep clarifying, and only mildly on the radiance front. I appreciated the soft finish and the way it took the edge off emerging breakouts yet the results never felt game changing enough to displace my current lineup. I will happily finish the jar and reach for it when my skin needs a calm reset but I am not rushing to declare it a forever staple.
Mugwort pore clarifying wash off pack’s main ingredients explained
The star of the show is the 61 percent Artemisia princeps (mugwort) extract, prized in Korean herbal medicine for calming redness and supplying a gentle dose of antioxidants. Its naturally occurring flavonoids give the mask its soothing credentials and help temper the mild irritation that can follow physical exfoliation.
Next up are the classic clay duo kaolin and bentonite. Both are excellent at temporarily absorbing excess sebum without pulling too much water out of the skin, allowing oily zones to feel fresher after rinsing. Because these clays do not sit inside pores once removed they are considered non comedogenic, meaning they are unlikely to lodge in follicles and trigger new breakouts.
Phaseolus angularis (adzuki) seed powder handles the manual exfoliation. The particles are small and rounded so they buff rather than scratch, which is critical if you are already dealing with inflamed acne. Used every other day the granules shift surface debris without leaving micro tears that could invite bacteria.
A supporting cast of botanical extracts bolsters the formula’s antioxidant profile. Licorice root brightens by inhibiting tyrosinase activity, artichoke leaf offers polyphenols to fend off free radicals and green tea leaf powder brings its well documented epigallocatechin gallate. Houttuynia cordata and cryptomeria japonica leaf extracts introduce extra anti inflammatory benefits, helpful for calming the angry halo around blemishes.
Hydration comes courtesy of glycerin, sodium hyaluronate and hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, all of which pull water into the upper layers so skin emerges soft rather than chalky. Beta glucan, polyquaternium 51 and fructooligosaccharides add a light film forming effect that reduces transepidermal water loss for a few hours post rinse.
The formula rounds out with charcoal powder for mild detox appeal and a hint of rosemary leaf oil that gives the mask its herbal scent. Essential oils can be sensitizing in very reactive skin so patch testing is wise, particularly if you are eczema prone.
No animal derived ingredients appear on the INCI list so the mask is suitable for both vegans and vegetarians. None of the included actives are rated high on the comedogenic scale, which refers to how likely an ingredient is to block pores, though individual reactions can always vary.
If you are pregnant or nursing err on the side of caution. Essential oils and licorice root have limited safety data for topical use during pregnancy so seek your doctor’s approval before incorporating the mask into your regimen.
Finally it is worth noting the absence of added synthetic fragrance and drying alcohols, a welcome move that keeps the formula friendly to sensitive skin seeking a weekly deep clean.
What I liked/didn’t like
After two weeks here is the simple rundown.
What works well:
- Mugwort base calms active spots and cuts down on post breakout redness
- Clays and adzuki powder lift surface oil and debris without leaving skin tight
- No added synthetic fragrance so even reactive skin can enjoy the herbal scent that comes from rosemary oil alone
- Leaves a subtle, healthy glow that lasts through the next morning
What to consider:
- Physical beads may feel a touch scratchy if your skin is ultra sensitive or compromised
- Requires thorough rinsing which can be time consuming on busy nights
- Results are steady rather than dramatic so the cost may feel high if you want a quick fix
My final thoughts
After fourteen days of alternating applications I have landed on a solid 7/10 for AXIS-Y’s Mugwort Pore Clarifying Wash Off Pack. It performs its calming and decongesting duties reliably, keeps post-breakout redness in check and never leaves my face feeling parched, which is more than many masks can claim. If you are oily to combination, deal with the occasional flare-up or simply enjoy a gentle herbal reset in the evening, you will likely appreciate its steady results. If you want dramatic pore tightening or an instant glass-skin glow, you may feel underwhelmed.
Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, with caveats. I would steer a fragrance-sensitive buddy toward it in a heartbeat, yet I would also warn my impatient pals that this is a marathoner, not a sprinter. Those with very reactive or severely inflamed acne may prefer to avoid the adzuki granules, while extremely dry complexions might crave something creamier once the mask comes off.
Having cycled through more clay and mud formulas than I care to admit, I can confidently say the Mugwort pack earns its shelf space, just not a permanent monopoly. For anyone curious about other options I have personally tested, the Pink Clay Glow Mask by Deascal is an excellent all-rounder that exfoliates, clears pores and brightens in one swift session at a wallet-friendly price. If you want a slightly deeper detox the Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask by Innisfree offers impressive oil control without harshness. Fans of a science-leaning approach might gravitate toward NIOD’s Flavanone Mud which layers antioxidant support over a potent purifying base, while the Salicylic Acid 2% Masque by The Ordinary is a straightforward blemish buster that punches above its price tag.
Before you slather anything new on your face remember a few basics. Patch test behind the ear or on the wrist first (sorry for sounding like an over-protective parent) and give any mask several weeks of consistent use before judging longevity because the benefits are maintenance-based rather than permanent. Happy masking and may your pores stay forever uncongested, at least until next week’s stress breakout.