Introduction
KORRES has long been the quiet achiever of the skincare aisle, fusing Greek apothecary heritage with modern lab know-how to create formulas that punch above their weight. The brand’s devotion to natural actives and elegant sensorial touches has earned it a loyal following in its homeland and a slowly growing chorus of global fans.
Enter the Santorini Grape Volcanic Skinreset Mask, a product whose blockbuster name practically demands a postcard backdrop of whitewashed cliffs and sapphire seas. According to KORRES, this clay and BHA blend is designed to whisk away excess oil, smooth rough texture and shrink the look of pores so skin feels purified and comfortably matte. A colour-changing charcoal burst and a quick 15-minute rinse off routine promise spa-level results without booking a ferry to the Cyclades.
I spent a full two weeks putting this mask through its paces, using it the recommended two to three times a week, to see if its volcanic ambition matches real-world performance and if it deserves a spot in your skincare rotation.
What is Santorini Grape Volcanic Skinreset Mask?
This product sits firmly in the wash-off mask category, meaning you apply it, let it work for a set time then rinse it away rather than leaving it on like a moisturizer. Wash-off masks are useful when you want a short, targeted treatment that will not linger on skin or interfere with other steps in your routine.
The formula relies on a combination of kaolin clay, volcanic sand and salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid known for cutting through oil and keeping pores clearer. When massaged in, encapsulated charcoal bursts and the mask changes from green to grey, signaling that the actives have dispersed. After 15 minutes you rinse everything off, ideally two or three times a week.
Korres positions the mask as a texture smoother and oil regulator. In practical terms it is designed to absorb excess sebum, gently exfoliate surface cells and leave skin looking more matte while making pores appear less prominent. If you are dealing with midday shine or rough patches this type of treatment aims to give a quick reset without the longer commitment of leave-on acids.
Did it work?
In the name of very serious skincare science I hit pause on my usual weekly clay mask for three full days before cracking open the Santorini Grape formula. Fourteen days felt like a reasonable window to judge whether volcanic sand and BHA could really reboot my combination skin, so I slotted the mask in every Monday, Thursday and Sunday evening after cleansing.
First impressions were promising. The green-to-grey shift happened within seconds of massaging and delivered that faint, satisfying tingle you expect from salicylic acid. After the first rinse my T-zone looked matte, cheeks felt smoother and there was none of the post-mask tightness that has me sprinting for moisturizer with some clays. Unfortunately the freshly blurred effect faded by lunchtime the next day and my midday shine returned right on schedule.
By application three I noticed a small but welcome reduction in the stubborn congestion around my chin. The gentle scrub from the volcanic particles helped lift flaky bits left by my retinoid and foundation sat a touch more evenly. Still, pores on my nose looked only marginally smaller and any mattifying magic lasted maybe six hours before my blotting papers came out. I also clocked a hint of dryness at the sides of my mouth that required extra hydrating serum.
Fast forward to the end of week two and the verdict was clear: the mask does deliver a quick polish and short-term oil control, enough to justify using it before an event or when skin feels extra grimy. It did not, however, revolutionize my texture or sebum production to the point of earning a permanent slot in my routine. I will happily finish the jar on sweaty summer days but once it is gone I will probably wander back to my old faithfuls, grateful nonetheless for the brief Santorini getaway without the airfare.
Main ingredients explained
The backbone of this formula is kaolin and illite, two naturally occurring clays that act like blotting paper for excess oil while lending the mask its quick setting texture. They soak up sebum without stripping and make space for the chemical exfoliants to do their work. Speaking of which, salicylic acid (a beta hydroxy acid) sits at 0.5% to 1% here and, thanks to its oil-soluble nature, can wiggle into pores to dissolve the build-up that leads to blackheads. A supporting sprinkle of willow bark extract offers a gentler source of the same BHA family, keeping things from tipping too harsh.
Glycolic and lactic acids show up further down the list. Both are alpha hydroxy acids that nibble away at dead surface cells so light reflects more evenly off skin. Because the mask is a rinse-off, their contact time is brief, making them more polishing than peel-level potent. Volcanic sand and microcrystalline cellulose provide a tiny bit of manual grit, so you get that satisfying smoothness when you rinse, but the particles are rounded enough that they do not feel scratchy.
KORRES leans hard into its Greek heritage with Vitis vinifera (Santorini grape) extract. Rich in polyphenols, it brings antioxidant defense to counter the free radicals that can spike after sun exposure or urban pollution. Charcoal powder makes a cameo via those encapsulated beads that burst on massage, adding another layer of impurity-sweeping ability while delivering the photogenic green-to-grey moment.
The hydration element rests on tried-and-true glycerin plus seawater minerals that help maintain electrolyte balance. Menthol lactate lends a brief cooling sensation which some will find refreshing though very sensitive skin types might detect a tingle. Preservatives sit in the safe, globally approved camp (sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate), and the surfactants used to help the rinse-off process are coconut derived.
The ingredient deck is free of animal by-products so the mask is suitable for both vegans and vegetarians. As for comedogenicity, most components rate low, though cetearyl alcohol carries a moderate clogging potential for very blemish-prone users; that simply means it can trap oil and dead cells in certain skins, leading to breakouts. Anyone currently pregnant or nursing should be cautious because leave-on and wash-off products containing salicylic acid sit in a grey area in most medical guidelines. A quick chat with a healthcare professional before use is the safer route.
Finally, fragrance is present but subtle and derived from the grape component rather than heavy synthetic perfume so it fades fast. No essential oils or drying alcohols were detected, rounding out a thoughtful formula that balances sensorial appeal with a largely skin-friendly lineup.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is a quick snapshot of where the mask shines and where it might fall short for some skin types.
What works well:
- Delivers an immediate matte finish and smoother feel that lasts through a busy morning
- Gentle blend of clay, BHA and mild physical grit leaves skin clearer without the post-mask tightness common to stronger formulas
- Fast colour change and light cooling sensation add a pleasant, spa-like touch to an otherwise practical treatment
What to consider:
- Oil control tapers off by early afternoon so those with very oily skin may need midday blotting
- Repeated use can leave drier areas craving extra hydration around the mouth or cheeks
- Sits at the mid-premium price point which may feel steep given the short-lived results
My final thoughts
After six rounds of testing, I would call the Santorini Grape Volcanic Skinreset Mask a reliable weeknight reset rather than a life changing discovery. It ticks the key clay mask boxes of instant smoothness and temporary shine control, feels pleasant while on and leaves no stinging or redness once rinsed. Those wins are balanced by the equally clear limits: pores look only slightly tighter, oil starts creeping back by late afternoon and dryer areas may need topping up with a hydrating serum. Taken together it lands at a solid 7/10 in my book, worth keeping handy if you have normal to combination skin that needs an occasional polish but perhaps not essential for very oily or very dry complexions.
I have cycled through more wash off masks than I care to admit, so I feel confident that I gave this one a fair shake. If you love a quick fifteen minute clarifying boost before makeup or a night out, it delivers. If you are hunting for something that will genuinely reprogram sebum production, you may be left wanting. Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, though with the caveat that expectations should stay rooted in reality and that moisturiser should be standing by.
Should you want alternatives, a few I have used and rate highly spring to mind. Pink Clay Glow Mask by Deascal is the easiest all rounder: it exfoliates, clears pores, brightens and somehow manages to suit dry, oily and sensitive skins alike while costing less for noticeable results. Caudalie’s Instant Detox Mask punches up the pore vacuum effect and has a pleasantly herbal scent that feels almost medicinal. Innisfree’s Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask is great for steamy summer days when the T zone will not behave, and The Ordinary’s Salicylic Acid 2% Masque offers a budget friendly way to keep congestion in check while leaving skin noticeably smoother.
Before you slather anything new on your face, indulge me in a quick public service reminder: patch test behind the ear or along the jaw for a day, especially if you are sensitive or using actives elsewhere in your routine. Masks give fast gratification but the results fade unless you keep up a balanced regimen, so plan on regular use if you want the matte glow to stick around. Sorry for sounding like an over protective parent but your skin will thank you.