Works for
ExfoliationSalix alba bark extract, Retinyl palmitateNot delivered
“The clay’s gentle drawing action helps dislodge debris from congested pores while soothing plant extracts help visibly calm skin.”
This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.
Anti-blemishRetinyl palmitate ~0.15–0.6%, below the ~0.5% it needsUnder-dosed
“The clay’s gentle drawing action helps dislodge debris from congested pores while soothing plant extracts help visibly calm skin.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Glycerin, Sea whip extract + 8 moreWorks
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, butylene glycol.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Retinyl palmitateMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Kaolin~4.4–6.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of clay that consists mainly of aluminum silicate. Helps absorb oil and creates a thicker product consistency. Can be used to add a white color
More about KaolinClay~3.8–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can absorb oil. There is no research confirming other benefits for the skin
More about ClayBentonite~2.7–4.1%
Clay~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can absorb oil. There is no research confirming other benefits for the skin
More about ClayGlycerin~1.8–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinSalix alba bark extract~1.2–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. It contains a compound salicin that can theoretically be converted into salicylic acid that, in turn, helps reduce inflammation in skin, but the evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking and the extract is usually not used in a concentration that would enable an exfoliating effect
More about Salix alba bark extractStearic acid~1.4–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidSteareth-2~1–1.5%
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder~0.8–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powderSea whip extract~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help neutrlize free radicals, calm down inflammation, and attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Sea whip extractColloidal oatmeal~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to restore skin barrier function, soften the upper layer of the skin and calm down inflammation
More about Colloidal oatmealBisabolol~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololAscorbyl palmitate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable and can penetrate the skin better than L-Ascorbic acid. It is effective in protecting the skin from free radicals, as well as evening the skin tone, but is less effective in stimulating collagen production compared to L-Ascorbic acid.
More about Ascorbyl palmitateTocopheryl acetate~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateTocopherol~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolPhospholipids~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Emollients that are naturaly present in skin. In addition, they help water and oil mix together in the product
More about PhospholipidsPanthenol~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolRetinyl palmitate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateCaprylyl glycol~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolButylene glycol~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolEthylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.45%
Hexylene glycol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolDisodium edta~0.05–0.3%
Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Water, Kaolin, Clay, Bentonite, Unknown, Clay, Glycerin, Salix alba bark extract, Stearic acid, Steareth-2, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder, Sea whip extract, Colloidal oatmeal, Bisabolol, Ascorbyl palmitate, Tocopheryl acetate, Tocopherol, Phospholipids, Panthenol, Retinyl palmitate, Caprylyl glycol, Butylene glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene glycol, Disodium edta, Phenoxyethanol
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Paula's choiceOil-Absorbing MaskYOUR PRODUCT | NooniBlack Superfood Clay Mask | ROUND LAB1025 Dokdo Mud Pack Tube | CODAGEPurifying Mask | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 45% | 45% | 42% |
| Price | — | $21.80 | $13.36 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 8 | 3 of 8 | 4 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract | Allantoin | Salicylic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Epicuren Green Tea & Seaweed Soothing MaskRéVive Masque De Glaise / Purifying Clay Masque
Product summary
"Paula's choice - Oil-Absorbing Mask" could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- this product includes a form of Retinoids (vitamin A) - retinyl palmitate 0.15% - 0.60%, but this type of vitamin A is not very effective. It could in theory help with fine lines and wrinkles, but the effect is most likely minimal.
- Humectants (glycerin 1.80% - 2.70%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 37.00A$ in Australia.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Efficacy and Safety of White Willow Bark (Salix alba) Extractonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 3
- 4
- 5Marine ingredients and the skinmdedge.com
- 6
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