Introduction
Rael Beauty might not be the first name that springs to mind when you think of powerhouse skincare brands, yet its steady rise from period-care pioneer to complexion problem solver is hard to ignore. The latest offering, the rather grandly titled Miracle Clear Pore Purifying Clay Mask, arrives with promises nearly as long as its name. Rael says this kaolin-rich formula will tighten the look of pores, whisk away blackheads and leave oily, breakout-prone skin feeling calm and hydrated in just five minutes. Intrigued by the blend of tea tree, cica, Jeju mugwort, panthenol and glycerin, I spent a full two weeks slathering it on to see whether those claims translate from press release to real life and, more importantly, whether it is worth your hard-earned money.
What is Miracle Clear Pore Purifying Clay Mask?
Miracle Clear Pore Purifying Clay Mask sits in the wash-off mask category, meaning it is designed to be applied, left on the skin for a few minutes, then rinsed away. Wash-off masks work well for oily and acne-prone complexions because they deliver a concentrated dose of active ingredients without lingering on the skin long enough to cause irritation. In this case, the formula leans on kaolin, a naturally absorbent clay that helps lift excess oil and debris from pores. Supporting players include dried tea tree leaves for their clarifying properties, cica and Jeju mugwort extracts to keep potential redness in check, plus humectants like panthenol and glycerin to offset the drying effect clay can have.
The brand suggests using the mask up to three times a week, particularly during the hormonal high-oil days that can precede a menstrual cycle. Application is straightforward: massage a thin layer onto clean skin, wait five to ten minutes while it sets, then rinse to reveal what Rael calls “firmer looking” pores. Because the mask dries quickly, it aims to offer a tidy middle ground between a nightly cleanser and a lengthier, more indulgent treatment.
Did it work?
In the name of science I benched my usual clarifying mask for three full days before starting the Miracle Clear test run and then used it every other evening for 14 days straight. That felt like a fair window to see what this clay could really do. Application was easy: thin layer on freshly cleansed, still slightly damp skin, gentle massage so the tiny tea tree flecks could do their thing, five minute wait while I answered a few emails, then a lukewarm rinse.
After the very first use my T zone looked a touch more matte and the stubborn blackhead cluster around my nose seemed fractionally lighter. Nothing dramatic but enough of a difference that I double checked in a hand mirror. By the third session I noticed an unexpected perk: the usual post-mask tight, squeaky sensation was minimal. The glycerin and panthenol clearly earn their place here because my cheeks stayed comfortable even on consecutive applications.
Week two brought the real test: the luteal phase oil surge. I kept to the every other day schedule and tracked morning shine levels with the zeal of a lab tech. Oil breakthrough at noon still happened, just less puddle like, and new breakouts were limited to a small spot on my chin instead of the usual trio. Pore size? They did seem a bit smoother along the sides of my nose though not the “blurred out” finish the marketing implies. Moreover the mask rinses off clean without the endless splash fest clay formulas often require, something my water bill appreciated.
By day fourteen my verdict was clear: Miracle Clear delivered moderate decongestion and respectable oil control without compromising hydration. It ticked enough boxes to earn an occasional rotation when I want a five minute reset yet it did not outperform my long standing salicylic clay favorite, so I will not be giving it permanent residency on my bathroom shelf. Still, for anyone looking for a quick, gentle clay treatment that will not leave skin feeling like parchment, it is definitely worth a try.
Main ingredients explained
The backbone here is kaolin, a gentle white clay prized for soaking up excess sebum without stripping the skin’s acid mantle. Rael reinforces it with illite, montmorillonite and hectorite which lend the formula extra oil-pulling heft while keeping the texture creamy rather than chalky. None of these clays rank high on the comedogenic scale, meaning they are unlikely to clog pores or provoke breakouts.
Dried tea tree leaves bring a natural dose of terpinene-4-ol, the compound that gives tea tree its well documented antibacterial edge. Suspended whole in the mask, the leaves offer very mild physical exfoliation when you massage the product on and off. Working alongside them is centella asiatica leaf and stem powder plus its extracted form, both rich in madecassoside to calm redness and support barrier repair. Jeju mugwort extract, another soothing herb loaded with antioxidants, rounds out the greenery and helps temper any irritation the clays might cause.
Hydration duties fall to glycerin, a classic humectant that draws water into the upper layers of skin, and panthenol, a B-vitamin that doubles as a barrier conditioner. Their presence is why the mask rinses away without leaving that brittle post-clay tightness. Succinic acid offers a whisper of gentle chemical exfoliation while papaya fruit enzymes nibble at dead cells on the surface, giving the formula its subtle skin-smoothing effect.
The ingredient list is free from added fragrance, drying alcohols and animal-derived substances so the mask should be suitable for vegans and vegetarians. None of the included components are known heavy hitters on the comedogenic chart, though everyone’s skin reacts differently; “comedogenic” simply refers to an ingredient’s tendency to clog pores and promote comedones such as blackheads or whiteheads.
No obvious pregnancy red flags like retinoids or high-dose salicylic acid appear here, yet essential oils such as tea tree can still be sensitising. As always anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding or under medical treatment should run new topicals past a health professional first.
Worth noting: the preservative system leans on 1,2-hexanediol and hydroxyacetophenone rather than parabens which may appeal to ingredient purists. Overall this is a straightforward, well balanced roster that focuses on oil management with a side of barrier care, aligning nicely with the mask’s quick but not overly aggressive performance.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is a snapshot of the standout perks and potential sticking points after two weeks of testing.
What works well:
- Dries in around five minutes so it fits easily into a busy routine
- Mops up excess oil without leaving that post-mask tightness thanks to the glycerin and panthenol
- Tea tree flecks add gentle manual exfoliation while the clay blend visibly tones down shine and softens blackheads
- Rinses off clean with minimal splash time and no lingering residue
- Fragrance free formula with a short, purposeful ingredient list that should suit most oily or acne prone skins
What to consider:
- Pore refining is subtle, so results may not satisfy anyone seeking a dramatic blurring effect
- The leaf particles can feel a bit scratchy on very reactive or compromised skin
- Delivers solid but not standout decongestion for the price bracket
My final thoughts
Clay masks come and go on my bathroom shelf and after two weeks with Rael Beauty’s Miracle Clear Pore Purifying Clay Mask I can comfortably hand it a 7/10. It performed its core duties of tempering mid-day shine and softening the look of congested pores, yet it never reached the transformative heights the word “miracle” hints at. If you want a quick, gentler-than-most wash-off that will keep oily zones respectable without flattening your moisture barrier, this is a perfectly solid option and one I would recommend to friends whose skin veers slick and reactive rather than severely blemish prone. Those chasing dramatic pore shrinkage or heavy-duty breakout control may feel underwhelmed and should keep shopping.
Speaking of shopping, a few excellent alternatives deserve mention. Deascal’s Pink Clay Glow Mask is the all-rounder I reach for when I need one product to exfoliate, brighten and vacuum out pores in a single sitting; it suits every skin type I’ve put it on and the price feels exceedingly fair for the glow it delivers. Caudalie’s Instant Detox Mask offers speedier, more noticeable pore clearing when I am on deadline for a big event, while Innisfree’s Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask excels at long-lasting shine control in humid weather. For the skincare tinkerer who enjoys something a bit more left-field there is NIOD’s Flavanone Mud, a quirky formula that tightens and decongests while leaving the complexion visibly smoother after just a couple of sessions. I have road-tested each of these and can vouch for their strengths depending on what your skin is craving.
Before you whip out the credit card remember the basics: patch test any new mask (I know, I sound like an over-protective parent but humour me) and accept that results last only as long as you keep up a consistent routine. Clay alone will not keep pores pristine indefinitely yet, used wisely, it can be a valuable player in the larger game of sebum management and texture refinement.