Introduction
Formula 10.0.6 may not headline every beauty counter but skincare enthusiasts know it as a quiet overachiever that has been formulating problem solving products since long before TikTok trends could crown a new clay hero overnight. The brand has a knack for pairing time tested ingredients with playful product concepts and, more often than not, the results justify the buzz.
Their latest mouthful, Renew So Smooth Oil-Controlling Clay Mask, promises a whole spa day worth of benefits in just ten minutes. According to Formula 10.0.6 it is a lightweight French green clay blend bolstered by salicylic acid to draw out impurities while colloidal oatmeal keeps things calm and comfy. In other words it claims to vacuum pores then leave them feeling like velvet rather than sandpaper.
Curious to see if this multi-tasker could genuinely balance oil, soothe and smooth without tipping my combination skin into a dry spell I put it through its paces three times a week for a full two weeks. Here is what I found.
What is Renew So Smooth Oil-Controlling Clay Mask?
Renew So Smooth is a rinse-off, or wash-off, mask. That means you spread a thin coat over clean skin, let it sit for the recommended minutes then remove it completely with water. Wash-off masks offer a quick hit of active ingredients while limiting the time those actives stay in contact with the skin, making them handy for people who want targeted results without leaving product on overnight.
This formula uses French green clay as the oil-absorbing workhorse, salicylic acid to wiggle into pores and break up congestion and colloidal oatmeal to counter the potential dryness with a calming touch. The label advises a seven-to-ten-minute window, up to three times a week, and notes that a mild tingle or warmth can occur.
In essence the mask aims to soak up excess sebum, loosen trapped debris and leave the surface feeling comfortably smooth rather than tight or stripped.
Did it work?
In the name of science I benched my usual wash-off mask for three whole days before starting this trial, which felt extremely official given the lab was really just my bathroom mirror. Fourteen days seemed like a fair window to judge performance so I slotted the mask into my evening routine every second night for a total of six uses.
Application one delivered the promised tingle within thirty seconds. It never crossed into sting territory and the sensation eased as the clay set. Rinsing revealed a satisfyingly matte finish and my cheeks felt petal smooth, though not exactly hydrated. The oil control held until mid-afternoon the next day which, on my combination skin, is a small victory.
By use three the novelty tingle had mellowed to a gentle warmth. I noticed fewer clogged dots around my nose but also a faint tightness along my jaw. Upping my lightweight moisturizer solved that, yet it served as a reminder that salicylic acid plus clay can over-enthuse if you skimp on follow-up moisture.
End of week one: pores looked fractionally clearer, midday shine still showed up but took longer to appear and the occasional hormonal blemish flattened a little faster. End of week two: results plateaued. The mask continued to finesse texture and dial down surface oil for a few hours yet it never reached the velvet-all-day promise. I also spotted a couple of dry flakes at the corners of my mouth after the final session, nothing dramatic but enough to signal that three times weekly might be ambitious for my skin.
So did it deliver? Partly. It definitely smooths and gives a short-term oil reset while staying gentle enough for most skin types. I just did not see the sustained pore detox or long-lasting balance I hoped for. I will happily finish the tube on pre-event mornings when I want quick polish but I will not be giving it a permanent slot in my personal lineup.
Renew so smooth oil-controlling clay mask’s main ingredients explained
The heart of this mask is a trio of mineral clays - kaolin, illite and montmorillonite. French green clay is simply a marketing wrapper for those clays, which act like tiny sponges that mop up surface oil while giving the formula its quick-drying feel. Because they sit on the skin for only a few minutes they rarely overstrip, yet you still get that squeaky-clean, almost airbrushed finish once you rinse.
The breakout-busting muscle comes from 0.5% salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid that is oil-soluble so it can snake into pores and dislodge the mix of sebum and dead cells that leads to blackheads. Formula 10.0.6 boosts that action with Enantia chlorantha bark extract teamed with oleanic acid, a duo often used in sebum-regulating serums. The pairing is designed to slow down oil production over time although my results showed mainly short-term mattifying rather than a dramatic long-term shift.
To counter potential dryness the mask leans on colloidal oatmeal, glycerin and a modest dose of niacinamide. Colloidal oatmeal coats the skin with beta-glucans that soothe and reduce redness while glycerin draws water into the upper layers so you are less likely to feel parched when the clays come off. Niacinamide adds a side order of barrier support and subtle brightening and tocopherol (vitamin E) offers antioxidant backup.
A few housekeeping notes for ingredient sleuths: the recipe appears free of animal-derived components so it is suitable for vegans and vegetarians, though the brand does not hold a formal vegan certification. Glycine soja (soybean) oil and cetearyl alcohol both carry a moderate comedogenic rating, meaning they could clog pores in very acne-prone users, yet they sit low on the list and rinse away so the real-world risk is fairly low. The presence of salicylic acid means anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding should check with a doctor before use. Finally the fragrance finish is light and fresh but, as with any perfumed skincare, those with sensitivity should patch test first.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is the quick summary after two weeks of masking.
What works well:
- Leaves skin noticeably smoother and matte for the first several hours after use
- Salicylic acid plus mineral clays gently lift buildup without harsh stripping, making it friendly to most combination and oily skins
- Colloidal oatmeal and glycerin temper potential irritation so post mask redness is minimal
- Delivers respectable results at a budget friendly price point
What to consider:
- Oil control is transient and may require repeat use to maintain results
- Can cause light dryness or flaking if used three times a week on normal to dry areas
- The mild tingle on application might feel too lively for very sensitive complexions
My final thoughts
After six rounds of masking I can confidently slot Renew So Smooth into the “reliable but not life changing” column. It earns a solid 7/10 for delivering convincing next-morning smoothness and a respectable oil timeout without picking a fight with my moisture barrier. If you are combination to oily, battle the mid-day shine and enjoy a mild salicylic tingle this will likely serve you well once or twice a week. Dry or very sensitive skins may find the short term mattifying payoff outweighed by the need for extra hydration so should proceed with caution. Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, as a good value quick fix rather than a miracle worker.
Having rotated through more clay formulas than I care to admit I can say there are a few alternatives worth noting if you want to shop around. Deascal’s Pink Clay Glow Mask is my favourite one-and-done option: it exfoliates, clears pores, brightens and refreshes without demanding a second mortgage and genuinely suits every skin personality. Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque digs a little deeper on congestion days and leaves pores looking camera ready. Innisfree’s Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask pairs gentle physical exfoliation with impressive sebum control for those steamy summer afternoons. Finally The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque punches above its price tag when breakouts start plotting a coup and you need both clarification and calm.
Before you slather anything new on your face please channel your inner over-protective parent (sorry) and run a patch test; even the friendliest formula can surprise you. Remember too that wash-off masks offer transient results so consistency is key if you want to keep that freshly vacuumed pore look alive.