This Hydrating Clay Mask Is Clinically Proven to Tighten Pores

When it comes to detoxifying my skin, I always make sure to have a clay mask in my routine. Clay-based face masks go back as far as Cleopatra, who used clay from the Nile River to purify and beautify her skin, and I love them for making my large pores look smaller. But, not all clay masks are created equal. Some are too drying, leaving a stripped feeling behind. That’s not the case with Byroe Peach Kombucha Tea Purifying Clay Mask, which I’ve been loving lately for both a deep clean and pore minimizing, but without over-drying my dry skin. Here’s more of what I love about it.

The Benefits of This Clay Mask

Clay masks like this one are also a great choice for those with oily and acne-prone skin. Three types of clay—kaolin, fermented hectorite and bentonite—are fermented, which the brand says improves their ability to remove impurities from the skin. (Fermented ingredients have been a big trend in skin care in the past couple years.) But, rather than just stopping there, Byroe then infused the clays with hyaluronic acid so that they can better absorb excess oil and unclog pores without drying out the skin.

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Another key ingredient is antioxidant-rich upcycled donut peach. Amy Roe, the founder of Byroe, created her line based on the Korean philosophy of resourcefulness and natural remedies, and utilizes upcycled ingredients to power her efficacious formulas. Upcycling involves using parts of produce that would normally be thrown away (like seeds and peels) to benefit the skin.

The vegan formula also includes kombucha tea (an anti-breakout ingredient that also helps strengthen the skin barrier) and DermaBiome 8HA. This is a special blend of eight types of hyaluronic acid, ceramides and fermented probiotics to boost moisture levels in the skin, as well as bolster the skin barrier even more. I love the peachy scent, the peachy-pink color and the smooth texture on my skin, which applies really nicely with a skin-care brush.

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The Clinical Testing

In a clinical study, the clay mask was proven to remove impurities by 91 percent and tighten pores by 41 percent. After one week of use, 100 percent of participants agreed the mask helped to detoxify their skin, and 95 percent agreed the mask left their skin feeling hydrated, which is great for a clay mask because many of them are known to be drying. Additionally, 90 percent of people agreed the mask brightened their skin immediately; 85 percent experienced a reduction in oil and said the mask smoothed texture and bumps; and 80 percent agreed the mask tightened their pores. After two weeks of use, the majority of participants agreed that the mask softened and clarified their skin, absorbed oil and made their skin look clearer.

How to Use It

Apply an even layer to clean, dry skin. Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes and then rinse thoroughly. Use one to two times per week. I love this mask for my self-care Sunday ritual, but I’ve also used it twice in one week before and my skin didn’t feel too dry.