The Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask is an edition of the earlier Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Clay Mask, both of which are formulated for oily skin concerns such as excess sebum production. The SUPER Volcanic Clay Mask, however, targets at refining the pores and deeper cleansing of the skin (and more) as opposed to just the removal of sebum and improving the skin tone.

Since I’d brought it back with me from my last Christmas haul, it has now come to a point where I feel it’s time to talk about it. Let’s see how this is different and essentially, better than the original one.

Innisfree – one of the 1st products from Korea we take on!

This award-winning product from Korea basically picked up what Mother Nature decides to throw up ever so rarely. The last time we checked, the Jeju volcano has remain dormant for the last 5,000 years. Albeit her past sporadic fits, she managed to leave us a legacy of rich minerals and nutrients – for which we are grateful, as far as the skin benefits these bring.

This clay face mask promises to tighten pores, remove sebums, exfoliate dead skin cells, offer deep cleansing, enhance skin tone and provide cooling effect to the skin.

Packaging

The Super Volcanic Clay Mask comes in a brown plastic round container with a screw-on plastic lid. The container is lightweight and comes in a handy size, perfect to bring along for travelling. The lid is made to look like metal because of its coppery-rose-goldly metallic coat. We love the debossing on the lid, it sure makes it look cute although we don’t know for sure what those 3 lumps are – clay lumps perhaps? Or sesame buns? Lol.

Size & Price

Retails at SGD$21.00 for 100 ml at Innisfree stores in Singapore. The bigger size comes in a wider, round tub, retailing at SGD$35.00 for 200 ml.

Fragrance

Smells like straight-up clay, duh. However with the presence of Zea Mays (corn starch) and some other floral extracts, it wouldn’t be caught dead smelling like humus.

Colour & Texture/ Consistency

The clay appears cement-grey and feels light and smooth. It has a fair bit of structure even though its softness can be manipulated during application. When you gouge out a little of the product with your fingers, it feels like semi-melted butter, less the lubricity. Upon drying of the mask, the color remains unchanged.

Shelf Life

Recommended for use within 30 months from manufacturing date and 12 months from the date of opening the product.

Innisfree Volcanic Clay Mask Benefits – What Ingredients are we in for?

Key Active Ingredients

Volcanic Ash – the product states that it contains super volcanic cluster capsules that powerfully absorbs sebum. Volcanic ash contains sulphur that is essential in fighting bacterial and removing toxins. Hence it is popularly used in spa treatments such as soak baths and skin disorders like eczema, psoriasis, acne and blemishes.

Kaolin (China clay) – is great for deep cleansing and is an effective agent for extracting excess oil from pores.

Bentonite – Bentonite clay helps to clear acne due to its ability to draw toxins from even deep in our skin and is effective for treating acne.

Juglans Regia (Walnut) Shell Powder – is a natural exfoliating agent on the skin and helps to slough off dead skin cells without harsh effects. It also helps in preparing the skin for better absorption of other active ingredients.

Camelia Sinensis Leaf Extract (green tea extract) – a powerful antioxidant that fights ageing and also has anticarcinogenic (ant-cancerous) effect for the skin.

Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract (Satsuma Mandarin) – is a natural skin brightener that evens out skin tone and inhibits the production of melanin that causes pigmentation and age spots.

Opuntia Coccinellifera (prickly pear) fruit extract – contains phytonutrients that have anti-inflammatory benefits on the skin

Secret Weapon : Jeju Volcanic Scoria (hardened lava) – these are actually volcanic rock fragments which are also a kind of basalt. In this case they work as natural abrasives for the skin as well as a ‘super’ sebum absorber that effectively controls shine on the skin. Note that these ‘fragments’ are barely noticeable though.

How to Apply

As the consistency is super-soft but yet not fluidly in any way, smearing the product all over the face is a breeze. While it has a firm hold onto the skin, it however has a structured texture that does not penetrate into or fill up pores, like in my case. So you’ll need to push the product into the skin in a gentle dabbing manner where it requires, so it can penetrate deeper into the skin to draw out the oil and dirt.

Leave it on for 10 minutes (recommended on the package) and rinse it off with warm water. As you wash the mask off, it becomes all gritty and sandy as water dissolves the clay.

It is encouraged to remove the mask with their Innisfree Konjac Cleansing sponge (Eco 100% natural Jelly jeju cleansing sponge) to exfoliate the skin as well as to remove the mask more effectively.

Verdict:

The buttery-soft texture of the clay makes the application very therapeutic. We know that leaving clay mask on the face for too long can dry your skin out and that is why Innisfree recommends leaving the mask on for 10 minutes. But I personally feel that leaving it on for about 20 minutes or so, thereabout when the mask is in the midst of drying out, is the best time to end the routine. Because this clay mask is still soft and moist on the 10-minute mark, and does not yet create enough extrication to uproot the sebum and clogging from the pores. So far I have been leaving it on for about 20 minutes and my skin is not dry. After all, this mask targets at oily skin, so for those with combination skin, I suggest you only use it once every 2 weeks, or if you have to do it once a week, do only on the T-zone area alternately.

The mask removing process can be a little tedious, you’ll really need to rub down the product many times as the clay bonds like glue to your skin. What we really like about this volcanic clay mask is that it leaves a cooling sensation for a good 5 to 10 minutes after using it, giving you that much needed zing on days when your skin feels slugglish. I wouldn’t say this product helps with refining pores, lightening blemishes or evening out of skin tone noticeably, but it is a dab hand at keeping shine at bay. Using the Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask on a regular basis does matte out the skin longer than before, which is always a plus because less oily skin is a good start to treating acne.

Where to Buy

At Innisfree shops located at Ngee Ann City, Bugis Junction, Plaza Singapura and the latest one being at Changi Airport Terminal 2 public area.

Not staying in Singapore or rather shop online? Click on the product image below:

Sometimes pulling a black face is worth it. #innisfree #claymask #facemask… http://t.co/no5FGv1L8K

— SGBeautyProducts (@SGBeautyProduct) February 27, 2015