Introduction
Skoah might not dominate every beauty shelf yet it certainly enjoys a loyal following among facialists and skincare insiders who praise its spa-inspired formulas and plant-forward ethos. The Canadian brand positions itself as a no-nonsense coach for your complexion and, in fairness, the track record with its targeted treatments justifies a little bragging.
Enter Klearity Mask, spelled with a cheeky K that hints at a promise to knock stubborn breakouts into line. Skoah calls it a breakout control mask powered by a “blemish blaster blend” ready to tamp down oil, curb bacteria and calm angry flare-ups. Oleanolic acid headlines the ingredient list as the sebum shusher while a roster of botanical extracts supports the soothing mission.
I slathered it on twice weekly over a full two-week stretch, taking careful notes on texture, scent, immediate feel and, most important, any visible shifts in congestion or redness. Here is how the trial unfolded and whether Klearity earns a slot in your skin SOS kit or belongs on the maybe list.
What is Klearity Mask?
Klearity Mask sits in the wash-off category, meaning you smooth it over clean skin, let the formula work for a set time, then rinse it away. Wash-off masks give you a controlled, time-limited dose of active ingredients without leaving residue that might overstay its welcome, a plus for reactive or oily complexions.
This particular mask is billed as breakout control. The centrepiece is oleanolic acid, a plant-derived compound often used to dial back excess sebum and calm inflammation. It is paired with what the brand calls a blemish blaster blend, essentially a collection of antibacterial agents and soothing botanical extracts aimed at keeping pores clear and tempering redness.
In practical terms, the mask targets three common concerns: too much oil, bacteria that trigger spots and the irritation that follows. Skoah suggests it for oily or acne-prone skin and singles out hormonal flare-ups as a scenario where the formula shows its strengths. The recommended routine is straightforward: apply an even layer, wait 10 to 15 minutes then rinse thoroughly.
Did it work?
In the name of hard-hitting skincare journalism I benched my usual wash-off mask for three full days before starting, a very scientific sacrifice if you ask me. Fourteen days felt like a decent window to judge any real change, so I followed the directions to the letter: an even layer twice a week, ten minutes on the clock, then a thorough rinse.
First impression? A pleasant cooling tingle and a surprising matte finish that lingered until bedtime. My T-zone stayed less shiny than usual and a budding whitehead on my jaw looked flatter by morning. Encouraging, though my cheeks complained with a hint of tightness.
By the end of week one I noticed a slight purge: two small pimples surfaced near my temples, nothing dramatic but enough to remind me the mask was doing some pore spring-cleaning. They calmed down after the second application and faded quicker than my typical breakout timeline. Midway through week two oil production was clearly muted; the midday blotting sheet test came back almost clean, a rare occurrence in humid weather.
The downside showed up in subtle ways. While oil was under control, the mask did not prevent my predictable hormonal chin cluster from appearing on day ten. Redness was milder, yet the blemishes ran their usual course and I saw no faster healing than with my staple sulfur treatment. I also had to layer on a richer moisturizer at night to counter a lingering dry edge around the nostrils.
So did it live up to its blemish-blaster promise? Partially. It kept shine in check and soothed inflamed spots but it fell short of being the breakout bodyguard I hoped for. I will not rush to slot it into my permanent routine yet I can see pulling it out before an event when I want a temporary matte, calm canvas.
Klearity mask’s main ingredients explained
At the heart of Klearity Mask sits oleanolic acid, a plant compound that tells overzealous sebaceous glands to dial it back. By reducing the enzyme activity that spikes sebum, it helps keep pores from turning into mini oil reservoirs. Partnered with it is nordihydroguaiaretic acid, an antioxidant that doubles as an anti inflammatory, useful when a blemish is already angry and red. The two make a classic oil control duo: one slows production, the other calms the fallout.
The formula leans heavily on humectants too. Glycerin and butylene glycol pull water to the surface layers so you do not get that chalky, sucked dry aftermath some clay masks leave behind. Caprylyl glycol sneaks in extra slip and antimicrobial support while PEG-60 almond glycerides provide the creamy spreadability that lets the mask coat the skin evenly.
Then come the botanicals. A lineup of arnica, calendula, chamomile (in the form of Tilia cordata flower extract) and oat kernel extract offer a soothing blanket meant to keep post mask redness to a minimum. Echinacea and ginkgo bring antioxidant backup, mimosa bark is prized for gentle resurfacing and uva ursi leaf packs natural arbutin that can brighten leftover post-blemish marks if you stick with the mask long term.
On the flip side, a couple of supporting players raise small flags for congestion prone users. Caprylic/capric triglyceride and the almond-derived emulsifier have mid-level comedogenic ratings which means they can sometimes sit in pores and trigger clogs for especially sensitive or acneic skin. “Comedogenic” simply refers to an ingredient’s tendency to block pores and spark breakouts, so patch testing is smart if you know your skin is finicky.
Good news for anyone avoiding animal derivatives: every listed component appears to be plant or lab sourced which makes the mask suitable for vegans and vegetarians. As always, fragrance origin is proprietary so strict purists may wish to confirm directly with the brand. Preservatives include diazolidinyl urea and iodopropynyl butylcarbamate. They keep the formula stable but can provoke irritation in the very sensitive so keep an eye out if you react easily to formaldehyde releasers.
Expecting parents should approach with caution. While none of the ingredients scream pregnancy no-go, the mask does contain a cocktail of botanicals and preservatives that lack robust safety data for use during pregnancy. The safest route is to clear any topical with a healthcare provider first.
One last sidenote: the pH is adjusted with sodium hydroxide and citric acid which helps the actives stay effective without stripping the skin’s acid mantle. All told the ingredient deck balances oil tamers, hydrators and calmers well which explains the noticeable matte effect without full scale dryness during my test run.
What I liked and didn’t like
Here is the quick rundown of highs and hiccups from my two week trial.
What works well:
- Noticeably curbs midday shine and leaves a soft matte finish that lasts a few hours
- Calms redness around active spots and delivers a gentle cooling sensation without stinging
- Humectant rich formula balances the oil control so skin feels refreshed rather than stripped
- Ten minute rinse off routine is easy to slot into a busy schedule and the mask is vegan friendly
What to consider:
- May cause a brief purge or mild tightness on drier areas which could require extra moisturizer
- Did not prevent deeper hormonal blemishes so results may be more maintenance than miracle
- Contains fragrance and formaldehyde releasing preservatives that can be problematic for very sensitive or reactive skin
My final thoughts
After three solid sessions with Klearity Mask I can comfortably slot it in the “good but not game changing” pile. It earns a respectable 7/10 for the clear improvement in T-zone shine and the way it takes the sting out of surface level breakouts yet it does not rewrite my personal blemish history books. I would recommend it to friends who struggle more with oiliness than with deep cystic eruptions, especially those who appreciate a quick wash-off routine and prefer plant-leaning formulas. If you are hoping for a single product that will keep hormonal flare-ups away entirely this will feel more like supportive care than a silver bullet.
A quick word on alternatives since a robust mask wardrobe rarely hurts. Deascal’s Pink Clay Glow Mask remains my top all-rounder: it gently exfoliates, decongests, brightens and somehow leaves skin bouncy, all at a price that does not induce sticker shock. I have also had great results from Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque when I need deeper detox, Innisfree’s Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask for a fast matte finish in humid weather and The Ordinary’s Salicylic Acid 2% Masque when congestion is flirting with full-blown breakout territory. Each has its own personality but all four deliver reliable clarity and are worth a spot on your radar.
Before you dive in a quick checklist: patch test first (yes I know that sounds like an over-protective parent, sorry), use the mask consistently to maintain results and remember that even the best wash-off is only one piece of a balanced routine. Consistent cleansing, hydration and sun protection will decide whether those clear skin gains stick around.